Searching for leading international work where a collaborative culture remains front of mind? This global heavyweight is on the Case.
White & Case Lateral Profile 2025
White & Case “has a sizable footprint.” So, it’s no wonder that “the firm has clients across the world who expect them to navigate different cultural and international barriers.” This, coupled with the cultural draw of “being challenged to do my best work while still having the support of my peers,” made White & Case the number one pick for fresh-faced juniors looking to grow their intercontinental market knowledge. Chambers Global recognizes the firm as market leaders in international arbitration, international trade/WTO, banking & finance, and projects & energy. And we haven’t even touched on White & Case’s acclaim from Chambers USA, notably in elite international arbitration worldwide.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“I chose my firm because of its international reach and interesting work with sophisticated clients.”
“White & Case is a truly global firm that draws from its experience working in so many different countries around the world. I love the global mindset of the firm and its strength in so many practices of law that touch on international issues and cross borders. It is the quintessential international law firm.”
“White & Case in general has a reputation for working with international clients, including companies and sovereign states, which greatly interested me.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2025
Commercial litigation careers
The view from the firm: Litigators across our firm have represented clients before all types of trial, appellate, regulatory and alternative dispute resolution tribunals around the world. Our International Technology Industry Group handles global risk, regulation and disputes. We are also well known for our strength in class action work. An additional strength is our ability to advise in relation to growing regulatory requirements in the United Kingdom, the United States and Europe. Read more about our Commercial Litigation Practice here.
Project development and finance careers
The view from the firm: We are the preeminent global law firm for project development and project finance transactions. With more than 300 lawyers worldwide, providing New York, English, Islamic and local law advice, our global Project Development and Finance Practice possesses the foresight, flexibility and experience to deliver results under the most challenging conditions. Read more about our Project Development and Finance Practice here.
Debt finance careers
The view from the firm: We have dedicated Bank Lending, Private Credit & Direct Lending and Borrower Finance teams, who advise a wide range of banks, credit funds, alternative capital providers, sponsors and corporations. With established teams in all of the world’s major financial markets, we offer global reach, depth of local resources, seamless integration across offices, and a powerful combination of US, English and local law advice. Read more about our Debt Finance Practice here.
Intellectual property careers
The view from the firm: Companies around the world turn to us for their most important intellectual property and dispute resolution matters. We guide our clients through difficult issues, bringing our technical acumen, decades of experience and judgment to each situation. Our innovative approaches create original solutions to our clients' most complex domestic and multijurisdictional disputes. Read more about our Intellectual Property Practice here.
Capital markets careers
The view from the firm: The Capital Markets practice at White & Case is independently recognized as having a leading presence in all the major financial centers. We cover the full spectrum of securities products (debt and equity capital markets, high yield, structured finance and derivatives, securitization and corporate trust). Additionally, we have a leading Public Company Advisory Group where we advise US and non-US public companies on their day-to-day affairs, crisis and other special situations and all aspects of their compliance with the US securities laws and the listing requirements of the major US exchanges. Read more about our Capital Markets Practice here.
International & Secondment Opportunities
Common secondment destinations: London
Client secondment examples: We regularly second our associates to numerous clients, including Meta, Twitter, BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank.
Overseas career development opportunities (view from the firm): Our associates regularly spend time in other offices, whether for short-term trips or longer-term secondments. For example, Debt Finance seconds multiple associates between our London and New York offices to build and maintain relationships and to allow for the associates to build stronger cross-border skills.
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
12 |
undisclosed |
61% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
47% |
43% |
58% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: Our unique Milestone programs complement and enhance overall development for associates, counsel and local partners. Milestones are interactive workshops offered at specific career transition points. You will join peer groups of lawyers to learn, practice new skills and build relationships across practice areas and offices.
Our competency framework outlines what we expect from you at each stage of your career, and we encourage you to use it to build your personal development plan. Our framework is a simple and consistent guideline of the skills, experiences and behaviors expected at each level, supported by the learning, experiences and mentoring on offer.
We provide formal training, mentoring, sponsorship programs, client secondments, pro bono opportunities and a dedicated in-house Coaching Office. We foster networking within the firm through a robust annual calendar of practice- and industry-focused seminars and workshops. Some offices also provide client or intra-office secondment opportunities to deepen your skills and expand your network.
Hours & Compensation
|
2,000 |
15 |
46.2 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
62% |
74% |
62% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
felt like they could take vacation/annual leave on their own terms |
found the firm's claims around bonus allocation to be authentic |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
The view from the firm: In order to be eligible for a full bonus, associates and counsel must bill a minimum of 2,000 hours per calendar year, a minimum of 1,750 hours of which must be billed to client chargeable matters. The remaining 250 hours may consist of additional client chargeable hours and/or a mix of approved pro bono or other firm chargeable hours.
Is White & Case the right firm for you?
|
88% |
76% |
72% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality |
felt that they chose the right firm |
The view from the firm: We’re looking for high achievers who want to be part of a dynamic, growing global business. We prize globally minded citizens of the world who are eager to work across borders and cultures and are intrigued by solving problems within multiple legal systems. People who thrive at White & Case are team players who are self-motivated, achievement-oriented, open-minded and entrepreneurial. They enjoy working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. They are committed to becoming the best at what they do and are inspired by the success of others. We’re proud that our people are from a wide variety of backgrounds; clients and lateral hires tell us we’re more “tolerant” and less “corporate” than other firms. Our lawyers give back to society through a well-organized, global pro bono and social responsibility program.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“When you receive offers from multiple top-tier firms, the thing that sets a firm apart is the culture. I feel valued and included every day at White & Case and I’m doing work as a first year I thought I would never touch until I was a mid-level.”
“International reach, cutting edge cases, and creative, interesting colleagues.”
“There’s a great quality of life balanced against traditional factors like ranking, industry expertise, and reputation.”
Pro Bono
|
63 |
83% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: Education Law Center (improving education standards for New Hampshire public school students); ArchCity Defenders, Civil Rights Corps, and the St. Louis University School of Law Civil Litigation Clinic (ending debtors’ prisons in Ferguson); Reprieve US (securing release of Guantanamo Bay detainee); Child Rights International Network (protecting Europe’s children); Public International Law & Policy Group (helping Kenya prepare for climate-driven conflict and disruption).
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: The firm collects and analyses detailed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. This includes emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 and we are committed to improving data accuracy each year. We have taken steps to identify all relevant emissions categories and have trained office representatives across all offices in GHG emissions data collection and reporting.
Undertaking an annual GHG assessment across all scopes ensures we can identify opportunities for improvement and for emissions reductions. For example, identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency and switching to renewable energy wherever possible. We publish our emissions data and information relating to our sustainable operations in our Annual Environmental Sustainability Report. More information is available on our Responsible Business webpage.
In February 2025 the Science Based Targets initiative validated and approved our near-term target to reduce our combined emissions across Scope 1,2 and 3 by 32% from a 2022 baseline by 2032.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Kelly Fox, Manager
Experienced Legal Recruitment - Americas
kelly.fox@whitecase.com