A Heritage of Excellence and Service
Since the earliest days of our two predecessor firms, WilmerHale has played a leading role in historic events and landmark cases that have shaped the nation and left their mark across the globe. In matters ranging from the Army-McCarthy hearings to the legal defense of civil rights, from the 9/11 Commission to the restoration of the rule of law in apartheid-torn South Africa, our lawyers have been privileged to make contributions that have profoundly affected our society and our profession.
1910-01-01 06:13:38
1910–1919
Reginald Heber Smith publishes Justice and the Poor, a seminal work in the evolution of modern legal aid in the United States.
1920-01-01 00:00:00
1920–1929
Hale and Dorr's cumulative billing reaches its first million dollars.
1930-01-01 17:22:11
1930–1939
"...an older senior partner is expected to work 5.5 hrs. on weekdays and 2.5 hrs. on Saturdays, with one month vacation." —Hale and Dorr Annual Report
1940-01-01 17:22:11
1940–1949
The American Bar Association Journal debuts Reginald Heber Smith's formula to determine how partners should be fairly compensated.
1950-01-01 16:03:58
1950–1959
Joseph Welch represents the US Army in the historic Army-McCarthy hearings.
1959-03-03 03:26:17
1960–1969
Hale and Dorr completes its first IPO for high-tech company Analog Devices, becoming the leading law firm in the eastern United States for IPO work.
1970-01-01 16:03:58
1970–1979
In January, Jim St. Clair leaves Hale and Dorr to become Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon during the Watergate controversy.
1980-01-01 03:26:17
1980–1989
Lloyd Cutler argues NAACP v. Claiborne Hardware Co., helping the NAACP avoid a financial penalty that could have forced it to close.
1990-01-01 03:26:17
1990–1999
Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering becomes the first charter signatory to the ABA's Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge. Hale and Dorr signs on the same year.
2000-01-01 16:03:58
2000–2009
Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering and Hale and Dorr merge to become Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, combining 1,000 lawyers and 1,500 staff.
2010-01-01 16:23:08
2010–2019
WilmerHale leads BP's response to congressional inquiries in the Deepwater Horizon matter.
2020-01-01 01:03:07
2020
To help clients navigate the global pandemic, WilmerHale launches its Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force.
2021-01-01 00:00:00
2021
The firm continues to help clients impacted by COVID-19, including small businesses struggling to stay afloat.
2022-01-01 06:49:30
2022
WilmerHale achieves a landmark trial victory for DaVita, Inc.
2023-01-01 00:00:00
2023
WilmerHale wins landmark trial against the US government on behalf of client Gilead.
2024-01-01 00:00:00
2024
WilmerHale celebrates 20 years since the merger that created the firm.
2025-01-01 00:00:00
2025
In a significant antitrust class action, a WilmerHale team defeated class certification for Meta.