Wiley Named a 2023 ‘Best Law Firm for Women’ by Seramount for 6th Year in a Row

June 15, 2023

Washington, DC – Wiley Rein LLP, a preeminent DC law firm, has been named among the “Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity” by Seramount for the sixth consecutive year. Wiley was among 50 law firms recognized nationally this year. The 2023 list recognizes law firms that utilize best practices in recruiting, retaining, promoting, and developing women lawyers, people of color, and those from under-represented groups.

“I’m proud to expand our Best Law Firms for Women to include diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” said Subha V. Barry, President of Seramount. “From increasing representation of historically excluded talent to expanding upon their family-friendly benefits, our Best Law Firms are putting in the work necessary to build firm cultures where employees can thrive.”

Law firms selected for the list averaged 42% women among their attorneys, according to Seramount. The percentage of multicultural women at firms on the list was 23% this year, and 41% of women hired by the named firms were people of color. In addition, 27% of the equity partners at the firms were women.

For the past three years, over 50% of Wiley’s partner promotions were women, and over 89% of Wiley’s 2022 summer and fall associate classes were women, racially or ethnically diverse, or members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Firmwide, over 45% of Wiley’s partners are women, racially or ethnically diverse, or members of the LGBTQIA+ community–a 2% increase from 2021.

“We are proud that Wiley has earned this prestigious recognition in advancing women in the legal profession from Seramount for the sixth year in a row,” said Rashida MacMurray-Abdullah, Wiley’s Chief Diversity Officer. “We are excited for the expansion of this year's criteria to include key diversity metrics as part of the evaluation process. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core pillars at Wiley, and in the past year the firm has continued to make progress in increasing the representation of women, people of color, and those from underrepresented groups and advancing their involvement in leadership roles.”

Seramount’s 2023 Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity application includes more than 300 questions about attorney demographics at different levels, flexibility, paid time off and parental leaves, and development and retention of women and people of color as well as those from other underrepresented groups. Questions about family-friendly benefits and mentoring and sponsorship participation are also included.