Want the benefits of international work with a generalist approach? Touch base with White & Case.
White & Case Lateral Profile 2024
White & Case has had quite the journey since opening in NYC over a century ago - no, literally - W&C’s network has traveled the world (and the seven seas), with offices across America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. For many juniors at the firm, the word ‘global’ was an essential element of the decision-making processes during applications: “I wanted a global firm because I wanted to embody how to be a globally minded lawyer” stated one newbie. Another highlighted that “it's a global firm which means the clients and counterparts are going to be from all over the world, so that creates better work for a new lawyer.” Moreover, multi-lingual associates were keen to “practice my language on a global scale, that was the biggest appeal.”
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…
“The diversity and international culture at the center - almost everyone in my start class spoke two languages and many spoke more. We were also very diverse.”
“Diverse people with diverse interests; kind people; top-notch work product.”
“Many matters are cross-staffed between multiple offices across the country and across the world.”
Strategic Recruitment Focuses 2024
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. 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: Project Development and Finance
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.
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.
Private equity careers
The view from the firm: We are the original innovators of the dedicated portfolio company team concept. We have a team of private equity lawyers who help support the relationship between sponsor and portfolio company by advising portfolio companies on all aspects affecting their capital structures, management incentive structures, strategic issues and other advisory work. This team, which is staffed with corporate and finance lawyers, is responsible for delivering our full-service capability to portfolio companies on a one-stop-shop basis.
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
|
10 |
undisclosed |
62% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
57% |
45% |
79% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | 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.
Our approach to development is both holistic and comprehensive. Not only does it include formal training, we also provide 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 |
12 |
47.4 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
50% |
77% |
68% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile |
found the bonus allocation fair and transparent |
Salaries
1st year: $25,000
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 diversity and inclusion, pro bono, or other firm chargeable hours.
Is White & Case the right firm for you?
|
81% |
92% |
87% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
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...
“It's very social and the partners are approachable and involved in the social scene.”
“A lot of litigators are funny, and humor is a common thing - people seem to get along.”
“They're just so genuine and nice. They want us to produce good work but they also care about us as people. Everyone makes sure we don't miss weddings and other important events. The culture here is unmatched, everyone seems really genuine, wholesome, and honestly very mid-western nice, but they still care about quality work product, efficiency, and serving the clients well. We all know that in BigLaw sometimes we have to work a lot of hours, but who you work those hours with can be the difference between burning out and a sustainable and happy career. The atmosphere and attitudes here seemed like the best place to achieve my goals of making partner without sacrificing my mental health.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
81% |
25% |
54% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: Welcomed thousands of people to our D&I educational programming in 2023, with speakers including constitutional law professor Kenji Yoshino; law school deans Roger A. Fairfax, Jr. and Anthony Varona; Holocaust survivor David Schaecter; tennis legend Rennae Stubbs; author Wajahat Ali; and Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice Shawna Baker.
Launched two new affinity networks open to everyone at the Firm. Beyond Barriers, dedicated to recognizing and supporting colleagues and those who care for loved ones who are neurodiverse or have a disability; and the Jewish Affinity Network, dedicated to embracing Jewish culture and history.
Concluded the year-long, Global Diversity Sponsorship Program for 20 associates in the US and UK. Associates traveled to New York to participate in group workshops on team building, collaboration and communication. They also attended partner panels, completed the DiSC assessment, and had many opportunities for networking and community building.
Recognizing the need for gender equity and leveling the playing field, we developed a comprehensive 12-month Global Women’s Initiative Sponsorship Program. The program pairs talented lawyers with partner sponsors to support their career trajectory, and in particular, the development of their business cases for partnership. The third and most recent cohort launched in November 2023.
Sponsored and/or supported the attendance of colleagues to prominent career development conferences, programs and bar associations such as Asian American Bar Association of New York, Charting Your Own Course, CYOC First Year Academy, Corporate Counsel Women of Color, Corporate Counsel Men of Color, Hispanic National Bar Association, Lavender Law, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys, McKinsey’s Connected Leaders Academy, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, National Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association and more.
Pro Bono
|
59 |
93% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: ArchCity Defenders and Civil Rights Corps; Education Law Center and the New Hampshire School Fairness Funding Project (New Hampshire public school funding victory); Human Right 2 Water (bolstering water and sanitation rights globally); Public International Law and Policy Group (legal assistance to parties involved in peace negotiations, drafting post-conflict constitutions and transitional justice matters relating to the war in Ukraine); Pro bono secondment program (opportunity to devote 100% of your time as an associate to pro bono work).
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 emission across scope 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.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Kelly Fox, Manager, Experienced Legal Recruitment - Americas
kelly.fox@whitecase.com