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

1990-1995

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.

1996-01-01 16:03:58

1996-1999

Hale and Dorr completes its 150th initial public offering of the decade.

2000-01-01 16:03:58

2000-2005

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.

2006-01-01 16:03:58

2006-2009

The US Supreme Court rules in a decision resulting from the firm's efforts in Boumediene v. Bush that foreign citizens at Guantanamo have rights.

2010-01-01 16:23:08

2010-2013

WilmerHale leads BP's response to congressional inquiries in the Deepwater Horizon matter.

2014-01-01 16:03:58

2014

WilmerHale files its 100th Inter Partes Review, marking a significant milestone in the post-America Invents Act era.

2015-01-01 00:00:00

2015

The firm unveils WilmerHaleLaunch.com, a resource to help entrepreneurs build their business.

2016-01-01 00:00:00

2016

GIR names WilmerHale the Most Impressive Investigations Practice of the Year for cross-border work.

2017-01-01 16:03:58

2017

WilmerHale celebrates the 20th anniversary of its distinctive philanthropy model that guides the firm's community service efforts.

2018-01-01 00:00:00

2018

WilmerHale celebrates the 100th anniversary of the formation of Hale and Dorr, one of its two legacy firms.

2019-01-01 00:00:00

2019

The firm opens its 13th office, in San Francisco, to expand services for clients.

2020-01-01 01:03:07

2020

WilmerHale helps combat voter suppression with the ACLU and other public interest organizations.

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

The firm’s Racial Justice Reform Initiative receives multiple recognitions throughout the year for its ingenuity and WilmerHale’s unwavering commitment to the pursuit of equal justice.