WilmerHale Adds Non-Equity Partner Tier in Lateral Talent Bid

WilmerHale has created a tier for non-equity, or fixed-income-earning, partners to help it compete with other firms for talent.

Anjan Sahni, managing partner for the Washington DC-headquartered law firm, confirmed the change to the firm’s partnership structure on Thursday. A representative of the firm said no current equity partners will be affected by the alteration.

“Creating an income tier in the partnership gives us more flexibility to attract, promote, and retain the most sought-after talent in a very competitive market,” Sahni said in a statement. “That’s a win for our clients, the firm, and our lawyers, who gain another pathway for advancement.”

A representative for Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr declined to answer additional questions about the new structure.

In adding an income tier to the firm’s partnership, Wilmer joins a growing number of Am Law 100 law firms with dual-tier partnerships. The growing portion of non-equity partners at firms has compelled those with one tier to make a change, said Justine Donahue, a legal recruiter at Macrae.

“They’re competing in the market where a lot of these other firms have non-equity tiers,” Donahue said. “If they have to offer them a counsel title, they’ll lose to the firm with the non-equity partner title. That’s definitely something lateral candidates think about when making an evaluation.”

The American Lawyer first reported the WilmerHale partnership change.