Case Studies and Testimonials

WILMERHALE is one of the top law firms in the United States and among the top 20 in the world, with locations in 12 cities around the globe. The firm sought to establish a business services center that would provide support for the firm’s global operations.

WilmerHale contacted the State of Ohio to locate a new 40,000 sq. ft. facility for 200 full-time employees with an investment of $3.5 million to $4 million for site acquisition and capital improvements. Montgomery County Development Services (MCDS), in partnership with the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC), coordinated site visits. The project quickly became a textbook example of teamwork between MCDS, the DDC, and other local partners.

To support its future corporate growth, WilmerHale required a sustained volume of legal talent. Workforce considerations – availability, quality, and caliber of the workforce – represented 75% of their decision-making criteria. Other considerations included the density and diversity of academic institutions within 300 miles, the ability to be operational within a defined period, and, of course, the scope of the financial investment.

Montgomery County Development Services (MCDS) and its local economic development partners helped WilmerHale achieve speed-to-market, lower costs, and reduced risk:

SPEED TO MARKET:

MCDS arranged meetings with local builders to provide estimates for rehabilitating shortlisted facilities. Leading up to the location decision by WilmerHale, Montgomery County and the DDC arranged for the two communities on the short list to meet with WilmerHale to review their respective communities’ incentives. Through-out the process, the team remained focused on meeting WilmerHale’s timeline.

LOWER COSTS:

In addition to the region’s low commercial and residential real estate costs, WilmerHale received significant financial incentives from the State of Ohio, Montgomery County, the City of Kettering and the local Miami Valley (OH) Research Park Foundation (where WilmerHale located its facility) and the Dayton Development Coalition.

REDUCED RISK:

MCDS and the DDC connected WilmerHale with private sector employers so the company could better assess factors of quality, availability, and potential challenges in the local workforce. Under the direction of MCDS, the Montgomery County Jobs Center prepared a customized workforce availability report and identified potential resources to assist WilmerHale in workforce recruitment. MCDS also supplied customized maps showing major universities and law schools within a 300-mile radius for potential recruitment. Representatives from the University of Dayton Laws School, Dayton Bar Association, Wright State University Business School of Accounting, Sinclair Community College, and private-sector placement firms met to discuss talent acquisition with WilmerHale and provide clarity on all assets available to quickly meet the company’s needs.