Overview
Introduction
Look up “global law firm” in the thesaurus, and you’ll find White & Case. A leader in cross-border work, the firm works across two dozen practice areas. The firm is home to a truly diverse team of lawyers and boasts a top-down commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2022)
No. of Partners Named (2022)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2022)
No. of Summer Associates (2022)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
A passport isn’t required to work at White & Case, but you’ll probably want to get one. Not for nothing is the firm known as one of the most international firms in BigLaw; in 2021, its attorneys represented clients from 115 countries, on matters in 196 countries. Naturally, associates who gravitate to White & Case are interested in doing substantive international work, and they happily report that they get plenty of it, starting as early as the summer associate program. Associates love the unique culture of the firm, which is heavily influenced by the presence of so many foreign attorneys and close ties to overseas offices, and attribute the firm’s impressive strides in diversity and inclusion work to its open-minded and global perspective. The firm definitely skew...
About the Firm
Founded at the dawn of the 20th century, White & Case has grown from its New York beginnings to become a truly global law firm. The firm has 44 offices across 30 countries—including eight in the U.S.—and is well known for its experience handling cross-border and multi-jurisdictional cases and transactions.
Big Apple Roots
Using their own savings accounts, Justin DuPratt White and George B. Case opened their eponymous firm in downtown Manhattan in 1901, profiting quickly thanks to their relationship with Henry P. Davison, a prominent financier who became a senior partner at JP Morgan & Company. Thus, White & Case’s first clients were entities that had been formed or financed by JP Morgan. White & Case also advised White’s alma mater, Cornell University. I...
Associate Reviews
- “There is plenty of time to socialize with others at the firm (both at firm-sponsored and after-hours events). Typically each practice group has a scheduled social event every other week. The firm atmosphere is welcoming, which has made the adjustment back to in-person work much easier. Staff are instrumental to the firm's success and functioning, and have been a great help to me in my first six months at the firm.”
- “Firm culture is excellent. The firm clearly values people and recognizes that this is a job, not our entire lives. Colleagues are friendly and genuinely engage in getting to know one another on a personal level. Vacations and other time off are respected. There are frequent formal and informal social gatherings, often initiated by partners to get to know or check in on associates.”
- “Now that we are back in the office, I would say firm- or group-sponsored events are popping up weekly. Outside of that, I get coffee and lunch with colleagues most days (unless I am mid-closing). I am friends with the staff on our floor, especially the PA's and paralegals, and I've never seen anyone else be anything but warm and polite to them either. It's a culture of quick chats in the hallways, sending check-in messages if you haven't seen someone in a bit, and overall making sure everyone is on an even keel.”
- “White & Case is highly international and, I would venture, on the more social side of big New York law firms. Obviously, like everywhere, COVID has impeded socialization. The firm has been very flexible with working from home, which can be a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to social life at the firm… I expect that, as we return to more normal work environments, White & Case will remain a fairly social firm with lots of events for people to participate in.”
Diversity at White & Case
Getting Hired Here
- “White & Case looks for candidates from top law schools with strong academic credentials who are polished, mature, and prepared to interact with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.”
- “High ranking students from top ranked schools. Some journal experience is preferred. Firm seems to value candidates with life experience outside of school. Global interest and international experience is a plus.”
- “W&C has detailed guidelines for recruiting that incorporate the firm's core values. There do not seem to be feeder schools apart from the top 20 or so law schools. The firm routinely hires foreign qualified lawyers as well.”
- “High academic credentials and a demonstration of an international perspective.”
