2020
Annual Review
Highlights of our work, insights, achievements, programs and initiatives in a year that reshaped the world
From our Chair
2020 reminded us that what affects one of us, affects all of us. In uncertain times, we drew on our connections with our clients and colleagues as we confronted the impact of a global pandemic, together.
Collaborating with clients in new ways, we fielded global teams that worked on groundbreaking transactions and resolved high-stakes disputes around the world. Through our pro bono work and global citizenship initiatives, we responded to societal challenges posed by the pandemic and looked to address racial injustice, wherever it exists.
This review marks the final year of our five-year 2020 Strategy. Despite a disruptive year, we met our financial targets and achieved outstanding results in the practices, industries and markets we targeted for growth.
In 2020, we also articulated the values that I believe have always defined White & Case: Pioneering, United and Human. In a year when the world changed in ways we never could have predicted, our values came to life. I am confident they will continue to guide and enable our success going forward.
__Hugh Verrier, Chair
Conversations
Q&As with guest speakers at Firm events
Dr. Eddie Glaude
Princeton University’s Chair of the Department of African American Studies discusses racial justice in the US
David Miliband
The CEO of the International Rescue Committee provides his perspective on geopolitics
Martha Lane Fox
A digital sector entrepreneur and philanthropist shares her thoughts on technology’s role in society
Perspectives
Our partners’ views on global legal and business developments
The stage is set for active M&A markets in 2021
A striking 2020 rebound suggests M&A will be key as companies position themselves post-COVID-19
COVID-19 concerns expand foreign direct investment review regimes
Already on the rise, regulations worldwide are bulking up even more
SPAC IPOs defy the pandemic downturn
After a decade in the doldrums, special purpose acquisition companies are back
Leveraged finance markets ended volatile year on a positive note
In the US and Europe, high yield bond activity primarily drove recoveries in 2020
Will COVID-19 slow progress on ESG issues in the mining & metals sector?
Our survey highlights tensions between advancing ESG goals and cost-cutting
Funding Europe’s broadband ambitions
Countries are testing a variety of models to finance essential broadband infrastructure
Energy transition: Funding net zero
A large-scale challenge demands a large-scale response
Oil & gas contract renegotiations soar
The transition from fossil fuels, capital constraints and COVID-19 is forcing contract reassessments
COVID-19 could help fast-track support for smart cities
The pandemic showed how far we’ve come toward realizing the promise of smart cities—and how far we still have to go
Accelerated shift to digital bodes well for fintech
Banks, fintech startups and tech giants are ramping up competition as demand for digitalization spikes
Competitors collaborate to take on COVID-19
Antitrust regulators made it easier for companies to work together to fight the pandemic
Climate change disputes rely on new theories
Lawsuits focused on human rights, corporate disclosures and fraud may herald new trends in litigation against oil & gas companies
Impact
Highlights of our work in 2020
Antitrust
We won success for our clients in their most challenging litigations, cross-border mergers and investigations
Capital Markets
Our heritage, scale and comprehensive offering made us a first choice in 2020 for complex cross-border capital markets matters
Debt Finance
From the world’s largest deals to innovative middle-market transactions, we provide value-oriented and commercial debt finance solutions
Disputes
In courts and arbitration forums worldwide, we won successful resolutions of our clients’ high-stakes business disputes
Financial Restructuring and Insolvency
In an unprecedented year, we helped our clients change tack, survive and prosper
Mergers & Acquisitions
In 2020, we advised on 360 announced M&A deals worldwide with a combined value of more than US$277 billion
Project Development and Finance
We advised sponsors, lenders and other stakeholders on developing and financing a wide range of projects
Firm growth
Our 2020 achievements cap an outstanding five-year success story
Revenue growth
9%
__2020 growth
57%
__2015 – 2020 growth
Our lawyers worldwide
Total2,257
909__americas
1,128__emea
220__asia-pacific
1,204
US-qualified lawyers
496
English-qualified lawyers
2020 awards & rankings
White & Case was recognized for innovation and exceptional client service in 2020
Diversity and inclusion
Where White & Case is a longtime leader—and we’re just getting started
Our diverse workplace
Global affinity networks
Our nine global affinity networks foster a sense of community among the Firm’s Black, Asian, Latinx/Hispanic, Middle Eastern, BAME/minority ethnic and LGBT+ lawyers, business services professionals and their allies. Each network sets its own agenda, initiatives and goals, which are specific to the issues it feels are most important. Affinity networks also 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.
110nationalities
87languages spoken
Local women’s networks
Our 26 local women’s networks are active in 40 offices across the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. These networks foster professional development and mentoring activities, and support business-related client partnerships. They also provide a forum for our lawyers and business services professionals to share perspectives and create programs to support and retain our talent while fostering and promoting gender equity.
Recognition of our diversity and inclusion
For more than a decade, leading publications and alliance organizations have recognized White & Case’s outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion
Working with Know Your Rights Camp to fight racial injustice
A multiyear partnership draws on the skills of our lawyers and business service professionals to educate young people about their rights
How allies can help fight anti-Black racism
Several incidents in 2020 evoked similar acts of racial injustice throughout US history and brought us to a watershed moment for global learning and confrontation of bias
For our clients
CARES Act eligibility tool helped clients get fast answers
White & Case quickly created a user-friendly solution as companies rushed to secure funding
Learning with and from our clients
A new webinar series brought White & Case partners, clients and industry experts together to share insights during a dynamic time