Careers

With over 60 lawyers and professionals in its offices in Washington, D.C. and in Denver, we bring big firm legal skills with a small firm approach.

As a mid-sized communications and technology law firm based in Washington, D.C., Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP provides the quality of representation and client base typically associated with a large firm, while maintaining the personal style of a smaller firm. To sustain and enhance these unique qualities, the firm seeks candidates who have balanced excellence in law school with solid professional and personal achievements.

Read WBK’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.

Lateral Openings

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP

SENIOR ASSOCIATE (CORPORATE / TRANSACTIONAL)
Denver, CO or Washington DC

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, one of the largest law firms in the nation dedicated primarily to the practice of communications and energy law, is ranked as a “First Tier” firm by Chambers USA (Telecom, Broadcast, and Satellite: Regulatory), and Legal 500 (Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory), and is the only firm to be named “Law Firm of the Year” in communications law five times by U.S. News – Best Lawyers (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2021). The firm, with offices in Washington, DC, and Denver, Colorado, advises clients ranging from global Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups in regulatory, transactional, privacy, consumer protection, intellectual property, corporate and litigation matters involving all aspects of communications and energy law, at both the state and federal levels.

Our Ideal Candidate

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, seeks a senior corporate associate to join its busy and expanding corporate and transactional practice. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, venture/private equity financings and corporate governance. Experience or interest with commercial and technology transactions or project development and finance is also relevant. This opportunity is highly client-facing, so the ideal candidate should demonstrate excellent communications skills, client responsiveness and initiative. This position can be based in either Denver, Colorado or Washington, D.C.

WBK’s deep ties in the communications and energy industries lead to exciting opportunities in our transactional practice, which blends traditional corporate finance and M&A with infrastructure development and related commercial transactions. The ideal candidate will have an interest in exploring these industries and working closely with regulatory colleagues to structure cutting edge deals. For the right candidate, this opening is a chance to join a team with a rapidly growing client base, to develop deep relationships with clients as a trusted advisor, and to develop the candidate’s professional skills and interests. An incoming senior associate will likely have the opportunity to work on venture capital financings and acquisitions, private equity investments that leverage broadband and renewable energy subsidies, development and acquisition of fiber/cellular and renewable energy assets, energy and communications agreements for Fortune 100 companies, and a range of corporate and commercial transactions.

Our Firm

WBK is a special place to practice law. We mean it when we say we are #notjustanotherlawfirm. With 65 attorneys, the firm offers clients the capabilities and expertise of a large firm combined with the personal style only a smaller firm can deliver. Each day, we work together for both the common good of the group and the common goal of building and maintaining a nationally recognized legal practice. We highly value collaboration, supporting each other personally and professionally using our individual talents and expertise. Every attorney is encouraged to be entrepreneurial and to contribute in their own way; there is no single model for success. We avoid silos, hierarchy, and bureaucracy, working as a team to deliver results. WBK has long been committed to community, inclusion, and service, with attorneys and staff devoting substantial time and energy to volunteerism, civic and community leadership, charitable giving, pro bono work, mentoring, service on nonprofit boards, teaching, and more. These activities are not just permitted but actively encouraged and supported at WBK.

To sustain and enhance these unique firm qualities, WBK lawyers must be flexible and creative, adapting to provide the highest quality service. We seek candidates who have balanced excellence in law school and career achievements with a personal commitment to advance the legal profession and serve the broader community. We welcome candidates from either the private or public sector; WBK has substantial experience onboarding those leaving government service for private practice.

Compensation and Benefits: Associates’ annual base compensation is based on a lock‑step scale and ranges from $200,000 to $250,000. Associates are eligible for an annual bonus based on their performance during the preceding 12 months. In addition to compensation and bonuses, Associates are eligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; accidental death or dismemberment insurance; short term disability insurance; long term disability insurance; travel insurance; 401(k) plan; profit sharing (once eligible); parental leave; vacation/personal leave; wireless phone service allowance; coverage of bar association dues consistent with WBK policies; pre-tax payment/contributions for transportation, parking, and dependent care; and a health savings account (if enrolled in a high deductible medical plan). All benefits listed above are subject to change at the discretion of the Partnership.

WBK is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic background, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or veteran status. The ideal candidate will also bring a strong work ethic, team‑oriented ethos, and a healthy, perhaps even irreverent, sense of humor. We look forward to meeting you.

To apply, please complete an application HERE and attach .pdf versions of your cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample.

Associate Openings

Administrative Openings

The Application Process

Candidates should send their résumés to the email address provided below. If a candidate’s interest in the firm’s practice areas is not readily apparent from his or her résumé, he or she is strongly encouraged to also include an explanatory cover letter. Each candidate should include a copy of their transcripts and a writing sample along with the résumé and cover letter.

Candidates can view all job listings and apply via Paycom.

The interview process generally consists of an initial screening interview, as well as a call-back interview to meet with other associates and partners. Candidates should bring copies of their references to the initial screening interview, as well as an updated résumé and/or transcript, to the extent information has become outdated or was not previously provided. Reasonable travel expenses will be compensated for call-back interviews, which generally last several hours in either a morning or afternoon session.

New Associates

Wilkinson Barker seeks to extend offers for permanent positions as early as possible during the fall, generally before October 15. All new associates are required to become members of the D.C. Bar, either by examination or waiver.

While studying for the bar examination, new associates may elect to work half-days as law clerks during the month of June and to be off the entire month of July, while accruing a full-time salary during both months. Any time taken during August will be without pay or charged against accrued leave. Alternatively, the firm will consider providing a modest bar stipend in lieu of working prior to the bar exam.

The entry-level salary for new attorneys is set each year at competitive levels. In addition, the firm provides certain benefits, including group life insurance, medical and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability insurance, travel insurance, participation in the Employee Assistance Plan, vacation, parental leave, a retirement plan, and payment of annual bar membership dues.

Summer Associate Program

Wilkinson Barker does not have an active summer associate program this year. We will update this webpage if that changes and will include information on the application process.

The firm does not have a formal third-year clerkship program or first-year summer program. The hiring of law clerks and first-year summer associates is done on a case-by-case basis.

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We have used the firm for over 70 years. They have expanded their areas of expertise with technology, but have always retained remarkable responsiveness and very high cost effectiveness.

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