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Overview

Introduction

Wilkinson Stekloff is a boutique litigation firm established in 2016 with offices in Washington, DC and New York City. Small but mighty, the firm focuses on winning high-stakes trials while also actively encouraging its attorneys to take on pro bono matters. Wilkinson Stekloff also eschews the traditional billable model, both in client fee arrangements and for the attorneys at the firm, a move appreciated by all parties.

Firm Stats


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Total No. Attorneys (2023)

1 - 50

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No. of Partners Named (2023)

1

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Featured Rankings

Top 150 Under 150
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No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)

6


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No. of Summer Associates (2023)

6 total (5 2Ls; 1 3L)


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Base Salary

1st year: $225,000
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Vault Verdict

If you like litigation, are prepared to work hard, and dislike tracking hours, Wilkinson Stekloff may be a perfect fit for you. Interviewees will need to demonstrate a genuine interest in trial work to receive an offer here, and clerkship experience is a plus. Reviews of the firm’s culture are good, with particular praise given for the collegiality and team spirit present here. Associates are glowing in their assessment of the relationships between themselves and partners, although they would appreciate more transparency around promotion metrics. While associates here work long hours, perhaps even longer than those who do have tracking requirements, the use of flat fees instead of billable hours is universally acclaimed. Associates here earn market salaries and above-market bonuse...

About the Firm

Wilkinson Stekloff is a high-stakes litigation firm headquartered in Washington, DC. The firm was established in 2016 and has soared from the start, achieving success after success in the courtroom. The 40-lawyer firm has tried over 20 cases to verdict since its founding, stacking up win after win. 

A 21st Century Firm

Wilkinson Stekloff was founded in 2016 by a group of former BigLaw litigators to focus on winning high-stakes trials. Founding partners Beth Wilkinson and Brian Stekloff continue to lead the firm forward.  The duo is joined by a formidable team of lawyers, including former federal prosecutors and former Supreme Court clerks. Based on the firm’s successes, Wilkinson Stekloff and its attorneys have been recognized by Benchmark, Lega...

Associate Reviews

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  • “Very respectful and congenial. I enjoy traveling and working with the attorneys and paralegals here, which is good because we do quite a bit of both. People generally head home in the afternoon when we're in the office, but there are occasional happy hours. It is much more common to schedule lunches with people here, and the firm caters breakfast as well, once a week.”
  • “The firm's culture is very informal and non-hierarchical. Everyone—from the most senior partner to the most junior paralegal—is treated as a member of the team. And everyone is encouraged to speak up and contribute. Although the firm is not big on mandatory socializing, I have become close friends with many of the attorneys and sincerely enjoy my colleagues.”
  • “The firm is very social and collegial.  It's a ‘work hard, play hard’ kind of place, and getting together with coworkers at all levels (both firm-sponsored and otherwise) is very common.”
  • “People get along and like working with one another. Non-attorney staff, partners, and associates all interact as part of the same team. We work hard, and the work can be intense, but we do it with good people who like one another.”

Why Work Here


Want To Be A Trial Lawyer?

Then you’ve come to the right place Wilkinson Stekloff is an elite trial boutique, committed to two things—litigating the most significant trials throughout the nation, and developing the next generation of trial lawyers.

What does that mean for you?  It means you’ll see courtrooms and client meetings yourself, rather than just hearing about them from senior associates and partners.  You’ll get active encouragement and guidance on how to build your own skill set, rather than just focusing on making others look good.  You won’t just be in the rooms where it happens—you’ll be helping make wins happen.

Diversity at Wilkinson Stekloff

The Law Firm Diversity Profile contains the firm’s self-reported responses to the Vault/MCCA Law Firm Diversity Survey, an annual survey conducted by Vault.com in partnership with the Minority Corporate Counsel Association. Detailed demographic breakdowns of the firm’s attorneys by level, race, gender, LGBTQ and disability status offer a valuable statistical overview, while descriptions of its diversity programs, initiatives and strategic plans provide a comprehensive portrait of the firm’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Getting Hired Here

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  • “The firm typically seeks candidates that, first and foremost, love litigation. From there, a wide variety of factors might contribute to an offer being extended. Law school attended is important, and very frequently, a candidate will have had at least one clerkship.”
  • “We are looking for attorneys who are interested in trial work, and who you wouldn't mind being stuck in an airport with. I think grades, law school, and journal experience are all important, but none are deal breakers. Most associates have clerked, but again, not a hard requirement.”
  • “The firm primarily recruits from outgoing federal court clerks. Laterals with trial experience, however, are also desired. Grades need to be strong, but an expressed (and acted upon) interest in trial work is more important. Partners check law school transcripts for Evidence and Trial [Advocacy], and district court clerkships are seen as on par with (or even more favorably) than circuit clerkships.”

Perks & Benefits


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