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Our Diversity

A Firm Where Diverse Talent Thrives

Wilson Sonsini is committed to the principle that diversity, equity, and inclusion are vital components of a thriving organization. Diversity of thought, experience, identity, and background, as well as an inclusive culture, enable our firm to deliver greater value to our clients, provide a welcoming environment for all of our employees, and make meaningful, lasting contributions to our internal and external communities.

Consistently Recognized as a Leading Law Firm for Diversity

Wilson Sonsini incorporates DEI considerations into all talent management practices, including recruiting, hiring, reviews, partner promotions, and retention. Our approach has helped foster a culture in which DEI thrives—a quality that is substantiated by the firm's top rankings and recognition in key DEI benchmarks. For example:

  • Wilson Sonsini ranked No. 2 among firms with more than 600 attorneys in Law360’s 2023 Diversity Snapshot. The firm ranked No. 2 for the highest representation of minorities in its partnership among large firms.
  • In 2024, for the sixth consecutive year, Wilson Sonsini achieved Mansfield Plus Certification, amplifying the firm’s commitment to DEI by calling for law firms to track and measure that they have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent women, lawyers from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, lawyers with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ lawyers for top leadership roles, senior-level lateral hiring, promotions into the equity partnership, and participation in client pitch meetings.
  • In 2023, for the fourth consecutive year, the firm achieved a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to LGBTQ+ employees, and was designated as a 2023 "Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion" recipient. 

In October 2023, Wilson Sonsini held its Diversity Summit, which featured two days of workshops, panel discussions, and more, focused on building connections, leadership, and career development for racially and ethnically diverse attorneys, LGBTQ+ attorneys, and attorneys living with disabilities. The summit brought together individuals from across the firm's offices and provided numerous opportunities for colleagues to meet and network.

Additionally, in February 2024, Wilson Sonsini hosted its fourth annual 1L Student Diversity Summit. Fifty-five impressive first-year students joined us virtually for a set of panels and discussions. They met attorneys from a variety of practices and offices, heard from clients about their career paths and their work, learned about succeeding in Big Law, and practiced their networking skills. Throughout the summit, our scholars experienced first-hand our firm’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and heard great advice on navigating law school and the legal profession from a variety of perspectives. 

Diversity at the Leadership Level

At Wilson Sonsini, diversity is not merely about numbers—it is about leadership. Diverse partners—which the firm defines to include individuals of color, women and nonbinary individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and attorneys living with disabilities—hold prominent roles at all levels of management, including the following:

  • Board of Directors
  • Career Development Committee
  • Culture Committee
  • Department and Practice Group Leaders
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
  • Hiring Committee
  • New Partner Nominating Committee
  • Partner Compensation Committee
  • Practice Technology Innovation Committee
  • Recruiting Committee
  • Wilson Sonsini Foundation's Board of Trustees

In addition, diverse partners hold chair positions on nearly every standing committee of the firm. At the associate level, two of the three co-chairs of the Associates Committee are women, and numerous committee members are diverse in other ways.

Retention, career development, and promotion are key components of our diversity strategy.

Inside the Firm: Affinity Group Activities at Wilson Sonsini

Our Affinity Groups (Asian American, Black, Latin, Parents and Caregivers, Pride, Women of Wilson (WoW), Wellness @ Wilson, and Veterans and Military Families) provide opportunities for attorneys and staff to connect across offices, build relationships, access mentors, and become more involved and visible at the firm. Additionally, they help to foster professional development. Allies are welcome in Affinity Groups to listen, better understand others, and show support. 

Beyond the Firm: Promoting Diversity in the Legal Profession and in Our Community

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is actively involved with many external organizations that promote diversity, including:

  • Asian Law Alliance
  • Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus
  • Asian Pacific American Bar Association
  • Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF)
  • The Berkeley-Haas Africa Business Forum
  • Casa Cornelia Law Center
  • DirectWomen
  • Equal Rights Advocates
  • Japan Society of Northern California
  • Korean American Bar Association of Northern California
  • La Raza Centro Legal
  • Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
  • Legal Diversity & Inclusion Alliance
  • Medtech Women
  • National Center for Lesbian Rights
  • Silicon Valley Japanese Entrepreneur Network
  • theBoardlist

Questions about diversity at Wilson Sonsini?

FAQ

As of March 1, 2024, 60 percent of the firm's attorneys were diverse.

  • The above figure was determined using the Mansfield Rule methodology.
  • The total includes the gender-diversity totals from non-U.S. offices.

As of March 1, 2024, 44 percent of the firm's partners were diverse.

  • The above figure was determined using the Mansfield Rule methodology.
  • The total includes the gender-diversity totals from non-U.S. offices.

Examples of programs that support or benefit diverse attorneys and staff include:

Affinity Groups

Wilson Sonsini's affinity groups promote professional development and offer participants the opportunity to establish meaningful relationships with their colleagues. The firm hosts affinity group events and activities throughout the year. For example, several of the firm's diverse partners host networking receptions, dinners, and other internal social activities designed to promote mentoring relationships. Currently, the affinity groups at Wilson Sonsini include the following:

  • Asian American Affinity Group
  • Black @ Wilson
  • Latin @ Wilson
  • Parents and Caregivers @ Wilson
  • Pride @ Wilson
  • Veterans and Military Families
  • Women at Wilson (WoW)
  • Wellness @ Wilson

Diversity Summits

The firm also organizes a series of biennial events geared toward diverse employees that feature one or more days of presentations, panels, and networking opportunities. Most recently, the summit series has included:

Wilson Sonsini is consistently ranked among the top law firms in the U.S. for diversity. In fact, the firm has achieved a top certification and earned top rankings from several third-party organizations that evaluate law firm diversity:

    • In 2023, for the fourth consecutive year, the firm received a top score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index.
    • Wilson Sonsini has achieved Mansfield Plus Certification for five years running, most recently in 2023.
    • The firm ranked No. 2 on Law360's 2021, 2022, and 2023 Diversity Snapshots among firms with more than 600 attorneys.
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