An introduction:
Opened in 1901 when two Wall Street lawyers, Justin DuPratt White, 31, and George B. Case, 28, contributed $250 each to launch the firm, White & Case has grown into a firm with a tremendously globalist outlook. Though its roots lie in the United States, the firm has an office in almost every jurisdiction imaginable, from Geneva to Riyadh. Indeed, the firm has expanded well beyond its New York roots, opening offices in leading cities in the US and around the world, and it has practice groups in emerging markets including Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
The firm’s global strategy is certainly paying dividends, with reports that the firm is a very happy shop, while financial results indicate that White & Case is performing swimmingly, with a global revenue within the world’s top 10 amongst law firms. Indeed, amongst the US firms in London, White & Case is perhaps the most anglicised, which may be due to its global reach. This approach lends itself to a strong training programme.
The firm offers a guaranteed international secondment to all its trainees in London; when combined with the exceptional training, stellar pay, and incredible opportunities, White & Case shows itself as a very tantalising prospect for aspiring lawyers.
Facts about the firm:
- Though the adjective “globalised” has been repeated several times throughout my introduction, no other adjective can come close to describing the immense reach of White & Case’s international network. With almost 50 offices in 30 countries, the firm tangibly has all its bases covered.
- Contrary to the typically smaller trainee intake of its US rivals in London, White & Case offers over 50 training contracts a year. Of course, competition is fierce for these spots, with the firm averaging 4000 applications a year for its vacation schemes and training contracts, respectively. The firm offers an incredible package to those interested.
- Global revenue stands at a cool $2.4 billion (£1.7 billion), while profit per equity partner stands at a strong $3 million (£2.2 million). According to Legal Cheek, “A sizable chunk of this figure — around £321 million — came courtesy of the firm’s London office, underlining the UK’s continued strategic importance to White & Case.”
- Pay is of no issue to trainees and associates at White & Case either. First-year pay stands at £50k, second years take in £55k, and NQs earn £130k, plus a sizeable bonus.
Key practice areas:
- The firm’s London office is full service, with strong practices in the following:
- Banking & finance
- Capital markets
- Competition
- Construction (contentious & non-contentious)
- Corporate M&A
- Corporate private equity
- Disputes
- EIPAF
- Employment, compensation, and benefits
- Financial institutions advisory
- FRI
- IP
- Real estate
- Tax
- White-collar crime
Notable recent deals/cases:
- White & Case advised Qatalyst Partners on Vista Equity’s £1.1 Billion Public Offer for Blue Prism.
- White & Case LLP has advised Softbank Vision Fund II on its investment as lead investor in the Series C financing of StreamElements. The White & Case team which advised on the transaction was led by partner Dan Turgel with support from partner Marc Israel (both London) and counsel Earle Miller (Los Angeles), showing the firm’s global outlook.
- Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised FIVE Holdings on its acquisition of the under-construction hotel in Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai. Due to open in 2023, the beach-front property will have 227 suites, 102 serviced residences, culinary and nightlife venues, a spa, a social pool, and a private beach.
- White & Case LLP has advised a syndicate of lenders led by Societe Generale, London Branch to subsidiaries of Cheiron Petroleum Corporation and Cairn Energy PLC on a reserve-based lending facility of US$325 million for the acquisition of upstream oil and gas assets located in the Western Desert in Egypt from Shell Egypt N.V. and Shell Austria GmbH for a base consideration of US$646 million and an additional contingent consideration of up to a maximum of US$280 million.
- White & Case LLP has advised Neighbourly Brands Limited on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Pimlico Group Limited and Sail Street Holdings Limited, which together hold the business and property of the Pimlico Plumbers group.
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