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A message from our Chair
Hugh Verrier
Chair
In 2022 uncertainty took hold as inflation, volatile markets and a geopolitical conflict added to the challenges set in motion by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a world of shifting expectations and norms, we focused on creating a distinctive experience for our clients, consistent with the five-year strategy we launched in 2020. This North Star guided our global teams as they developed and executed innovative solutions on high-stakes deals, disputes and pro bono matters.
Our client work placed us at the center of global trends related to energy transition, environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, finance and globalization. We contributed to the dialogue on these issues with published insights including “Scaling up the energy transition,” a report based on a survey that explores how capital providers and companies are setting priorities, staying competitive and managing risk. Through our COP27 video series, we explored themes raised during the annual climate conference and their potential impact on business and industry.
In regions around the world, we increased our capacity to serve clients, promoting 59 new partners and welcoming 39 lateral partners. We developed new ways of working with clients, increasing efficiencies and ensuring consistency. These initiatives included our Debt Finance Solutions Team, which leverages legal technology and other resources to handle certain types of routine work, and our Client Experience Blueprints, a series of tools that codify our global best practices for working with clients before, during and after a matter.
We continued to focus on building a more diverse and inclusive workplace, significantly expanding our diversity data collection efforts so we can quantify our progress. Our people benefited from new and expanded coaching programs, and we took concrete steps to empower our associates, focusing on work allocation, skills development and leadership opportunities.
This review discusses these and other accomplishments and initiatives that made a difference to our people and our clients in 2022. Together we face the future positioned for success.
Conversations
Guest speakers at Firm events share views on timely topics
blue sky in my pocket © Getty Images
When it comes to solving problems, human beings have a superpower
Kenneth Cukier talks about the process that can lead to breakthroughs and help us tackle novel challenges
Haitong Yu © Getty Images
A vast pro bono network creates global impact
Antonio Zappulla talks about how TrustLaw tackles some of the world’s biggest challenges
Matthias Kulka © Getty Images
Global trends
Developments that reshaped the world
Investors and energy companies pull all levers in the race to net zero
The focus on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 remained a priority for governments, investors and energy companies
Richard Hamilton Smith © Getty Images
Stakeholders raise the bar on ESG
Addressing ESG factors became “the new normal” for investors and businesses
Andriy Onufriyenko © Getty Images
Markets cool as interest rates and inflation rise
Activity across debt and M&A markets slowed as rising interest rates and high inflation saw investors, borrowers and lenders recalibrate risk appetite
Christoph Hetzmannseder © Getty Images
Globalization: Balancing interdependencies and divisions
Around the world, legal and regulatory developments continued to reshape global interconnectedness
Artur Debat © Getty Images
Impact
Highlights of our work in 2022
Our growth and accolades
Our achievements position us for success
Our annual revenue
US$2.83 billion in revenue
Our lawyers worldwide
2,616 total lawyers
1,315EMEA
1,021Americas
280Asia-Pacific
1,297US-qualified lawyers
582English-qualified lawyers
2022 new partners
Meet the outstanding generation of talented lawyers who strengthened our Firm in 2022
David Ramos © Getty Images
2022 awards & rankings
In markets around the world, White & Case earned many of the legal industry’s top accolades
Yu Kodama © Getty Images
Our responsible business practices
White & Case is committed to fair and ethical operations that respect human rights and recognize the importance of our natural environment.
As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, we affirm our commitment to doing business responsibly by supporting the Compact’s ten principles on human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. The steps we are taking to continue to embed these principles into our Firm are outlined in our most recent Communication on Progress.
Our latest Environmental Sustainability Report includes information on our environmental policies, footprint, key actions and goals.
More than five million kilowatt hours of renewable energy powered our offices
Nine of our offices procure renewable energy, accounting for approximately one-third of all electricity used globally
We track our greenhouse gas emissions annually and now include our supply chain emissions
Our London office maintains ISO 14001 certification
Diversity and inclusion
Committed to advancing diversity and inclusion across the Firm
Our diverse workplace
11 global affinity networks
Our 11 affinity networks foster a sense of community among the Firm’s Black, Asian, Latinx/Hispanic, Middle Eastern, minority ethnic and LGBTQ+ lawyers, business services professionals and their allies. Each network sets its own agenda, initiatives and goals, which are specific to the issues it considers most important. Affinity networks create and enhance awareness of these groups within the Firm and its larger culture, drive community and connection across our global offices, and support their members with career and professional development opportunities.
25 local women’s networks
Our 25 local women’s networks are active in 40 offices across the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. These networks foster professional development and mentoring activities. They also provide a forum for our lawyers and business services professionals to share perspectives and create programs to support and retain our women while fostering and promoting gender equity.
Diversity: The numbers
Women make up:
40% of the Firm’s global management
25% of the Executive Committee
27% of our Office Executive Partners
50% of our 2022 global partner promotions
23% of global partnership
42% of our lawyers
In the US:
49%of our lawyers self-identify as of color
28%of our partners self-identify as of color
In London:
43%of our lawyers self-identify as of color
27%of our partners self-identify as of color
Globally:
118nationalities
95languages spoken
Recognition
Leading publications and alliance organizations continue to recognize our commitment to diversity and inclusion
Number 1 Most Diverse Law Firm among top 10 US firms by revenue
The American Lawyer Diversity Scorecard 2022 (Number 2 among all firms scored)
100% rating on commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace equality (14th consecutive year)
Identifying the Firm as one of the best places to work for LGBT+ individualsHuman Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index
International Firm of the Year for Career Development, Diverse Women Lawyers, Work-Life Balance
Euromoney Legal Media Group Women in Business Awards 2022 EMEA
2022 Mansfield Certification Plus (fourth consecutive year)
Diversity Lab
Top 75 employer in the UK
Social Mobility Foundation Employer Index 2022
Gremlin © Getty Images
People engagement
Helping our colleagues to reach new heights
Investing in our people with global coaching programs
Committing to growth opportunities for colleagues in wide-ranging roles
Moodboard © Getty Images
For associates: A more level playing field and greater opportunity
Recognizing the value of our lawyers as they start their careers
Shunli Zhao © Getty Images
Collaborating with clients around the world
6 continents
44offices
30countries
In 2022 we advised clients from
115
countries
on matters in
195
countries
Building a better client experience
Focusing on consistent application of best practices
Sebàstian Calanzone © Getty Images
An innovation startup within the US Debt Finance practice
Leveraging technology to streamline routine work and enhance client service
Sky Sajjaphot / 500px © Getty Images
White & Case teams up with AbbVie on Second Look Project pro bono case
Collaborating to effect change and build strong connections
Paul Taylor @ Getty Images
Visuals by Roman De Giuli