Wage and Hour Defense Institute | United States leadership membership directory about More The Wage and Hour Defense Institute WHDI is Comprised of Highly Talented and Experienced Wage and Hour Defense Attorneys From Across the United States and Canada. OUR REACH About the WHDI National Network Local Knowledge Because of our national footprint we bring top tier representation and indepth wage and hour knowledge to our members clients by attorneys who are local to the dispute and who are familiar with the local courts local practices and local attorneys. Why is this important. Wage and hour litigation and in particular class and collective actions brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act FLSA and its state law counterparts poses material risks to employers of all sizes.