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 (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2024)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
For international work and experiences, White & Case is a global leader. Hiring considerations include strong academic credentials, law school attended, language skills, and an interest in cross-border work. Office settings are diverse, collaborative, and professional, and people understand the need for family time. Partners are respectful and appreciative of associate work, and they engage with associates as colleagues and equals. A wide range of mentors provide professional support for associates, and firm training programs, including those offered during career milestones, are robust and helpful. Strong training and team support also make laterals feel appropriately onboarded. Work assignments are challenging, and associates have the opportunity to stretch into more dif...
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 United States—and is well known for its experience handling cross-border and multijurisdictional cases and transactions.
Big Apple Roots
Using their own savings, 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 J.P. Morgan & Company. White & Case also advised White’s alma mater, Cornell University. In 1926, the firm opened its first foreign office in Paris—the beginning of the firm’s international exp...
Associate Reviews
- “Atmosphere is very good. All lawyers seem very professional while also being more down-to-earth than is perhaps the norm. People here seem to value their families and time outside of the office. Superiors have exhibited understanding when there are circumstances that pull you away from the office and other life changes.”
- “The firm is overall friendly; associates and partners alike will chat casually and get to know each other. Practice groups also put in the effort to make sure everyone knows one another, either through monthly happy hours or other more intense social events (such as wall climbing or bowling). The firm as a whole also holds events to foster a more cohesive and friendly environment across the various practice groups.”
- “White & Case has a very open and collaborative culture. There is a significant number of foreign languages spoken in the office, which goes along with the vast amount of cross-border work being done by the firm. Diversity is a big value at the firm. Teamwork is also highly emphasized, and you probably won't go far here if you can't work as part of a team. Lastly, the firm is as family friendly as BigLaw can be. It is not easy, but they really do what they can to help people balance their family commitments with work.”
- “White & Case's culture is rooted in the diversity and international reach of its people. Everybody is extremely impressive, but all have the common denominator of being great people. The culture is positive, hardworking, and respectful. Lawyers socialize together at work and outside of work. Most events are firm- or client-sponsored. Lawyers and staff interact on a daily basis.”
Why Work Here
Diversity at White & Case
"As a truly global law firm, with people of diverse backgrounds who speak 88 different languages and work in 44 offices located in 30 countries around the world, diversity and inclusion for White & Case is not a choice—it is a professional imperative. Over the years, we have been widely recognized as a top firm for diversity with innovative best practice approaches, but that recognition is not why we value our diversity. We value our diversity because it is essential to who we are and our ability to best serve our equally diverse..."
Getting Hired Here
- “White & Case is great because [it] intentionally looks for a diverse class because [it] understands the importance of diverse voices in decision-making. … We are looking for ‘globally minded’ people who are receptive and excited to learn about other cultures through cross-border work—also someone who will fit into the friendly culture of the firm.” “I think the firm is looking for candidates who went to excellent law schools or who excelled at their law schools if they did not go to a T14-type school. An international mindset and international experience, as well as foreign language skills, are paramount.”
- “The firm's hiring process is remarkable and results in top-shelf candidates. Ideal White & Case candidates are diverse, intelligent, good teammates, forward-thinking, and generally passionate. There are some feeder schools that tend to focus on international work. We have training and guidelines for those who interview candidates.”
- “W&C looks for candidates that are tenacious, entrepreneurial, and internationally oriented and those who partners would feel comfortable being in front of clients.”
Perks & Benefits