Monya M. Bunch, ESQ.
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
WilmerHale
Headquarters: Washington, D.C. And Boston, MA
Industry: Law Firm
CEO: Robert Novic and Susan Murley, Co-Managing Partners
Website: www.wilmerhale.com
Credentials: J.D., Howard University School of Law; M.P.A., University of Hartford; B.S., Hampton University; Georgetown University, Executive Certificate (Strategic Diversity & Inclusion Management)
Philosophy: DEI are guiding principles of WilmerHale and key drivers of the value the firm provides to our clients. The range of perspectives, backgrounds, and talents of our lawyers helps us develop creative and effective solutions for our clients’ most complex and challenging legal issues.
WilmerHale is constantly trying to up its diversity game. In November, over 260 diverse lawyers gathered in Washington, DC to take part in WilmerHale’s second bi-annual Diversity Summit. The two-day event was an important opportunity for firm leaders and diverse attorneys to reflect and reunite around the ongoing mission to make diversity, equity and inclusion part of the essential fabric of the firm and participate in professional development programs.
And it is reconsidering how it should recruit new lawyers in 2023 and beyond. It wants to make sure that diversity isn’t an issue affecting some people, resulting in diverse attorneys taking on additional work and responsibilities. Instead, it wants to encourage allyship through trainings and programs. WilmerHale amended its Bonus Eligible Time policy to include up to 50 hours of firm time spent on activities related to DEI programming in recognition of the commitment from the attorneys, especially diverse attorneys, to spend time on recruiting/pipeline initiatives and on building a culture of inclusion within the firm.
