What have we learned from COVID-19?
Epidemiologist Syra Madad says it’s critical to engage with local communities
A message from our Chair
Hugh Verrier
Chair
In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect nearly every aspect of our lives. Against this backdrop, our global teams worked on groundbreaking transactions, resolved high-stakes disputes and, through our global citizenship initiatives, responded to societal challenges around the world.
The role of business in society evolved as environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues entered the mainstream, concentrating on challenges including the energy transition and achieving greater diversity and inclusion. Like our clients, we looked for ways to create long term value and growth—a shared goal that created opportunities for collaboration.
It was in this context that we launched a new five-year strategy, focused on creating a distinctive experience for our clients.
Our emphasis on complex, cross-border matters helped us grow in all of the regions where we work and achieve outstanding results for our clients. As we look to the next five years, we are committed to building the capabilities our clients need, supported by a strong, resilient culture.
Conversations
Guest speakers at Firm events talk about issues that made news in 2021
Andreea Alexandru © Associated Press
Institutional investors take the long view on sustainability
Think tank CEO Chris Pinney is encouraged by moves to focus on impact, not just policies and procedures
Sholikhul Bakhmid © Getty Images
In the wake of the pandemic, the world must chart a new course
Bill Emmott, who co-leads a nonprofit that studies the far-reaching effects of COVID-19, discusses the importance of business scenario planning
Keith Ladzinski © Bespoke Reps Licensing
Global trends
Developments that reshaped the world
A range of tactics is needed to achieve a lower-carbon world
Countries and companies are increasingly committing to net-zero goals that would require them to significantly reduce carbon emissions on relatively short timelines
Tunvarat Pruksachat © Getty Images
Environmental, social and governance factors enter the mainstream
The pandemic accelerated global concerns over climate change and inequality, pushing societal expectations around responsible business practices into the spotlight
Liyao Xie / Moment © Getty Images
Buoyant capital markets help fuel dealmaking
Most of 2021 was characterized by free-flowing capital, as government aid in response to COVID-19 propped up economies
Simon Carter © Getty Images
Policy shifts may signal a new chapter in the story of globalization
Globalization may be evolving, as nations and regions reassert their regulatory powers on a wide range of issues
Andrey Popov © Getty Images / Map by Parag Khanna, FutureMap
Impact
Matters in eight practice areas that highlight our global impact for clients
Firm growth
Our 2021 achievements cap an outstanding five-year success story
Our growth trajectory
20% 2021 growth
59% 2016-2021 growth
Our lawyers worldwide
2,464 Total lawyers
1,233 EMEA
974 Americas
257 Asia-Pacific
1,283 US-qualified lawyers
544 English-qualified lawyers
2021 new partners
An outstanding roster of talented lawyers strengthened our Firm in 2021
© Veronika K Ko Photography
2021 awards & rankings
White & Case earned many of the legal industry’s top accolades for outstanding performance in 2021
Westend61 © 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.
Renewable energy is approximately 35% of our electricity usage (up from 11% in 2018)
We track our greenhouse gas emissions annually
Each office implements actions set out in our Environmental Management System
Our London office maintains ISO 14001 certification
Diversity and inclusion
Where White & Case is a longtime leader — and we're just getting started.
Our diverse workplace
10 global affinity networks
Our ten global affinity networks foster a sense of community among the Firm’s Black, Asian, Latinx/Hispanic, Middle Eastern, 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.
26 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.
Diversity: The numbers
Women make up:
40% of the Firm’s global management
25% of the Executive Committee
26% of our Office Executive Partners
31% of our 2021 global partner promotions
22% of global partnership
41% of our lawyers
In the US:
38% of our lawyers self-identify as of color
25% of our partners self-identify as of color
Globally:
114 nationalities
91 languages spoken
Recognition
For more than a decade, leading publications and alliance organizations have recognized White & Case’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
#1 Most Diverse Law Firm in Am Law 50 (eighth consecutive year)
The American Lawyer
Diversity Scorecard 2021
100% rating on commitment to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace equality (13th consecutive year)
Identifying the Firm as one of the best places to work for LGBT+ individuals
Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index
Minority Women Lawyers – International Firm of the Year
Work-life balance – International Firm of the Year
Euromoney Legal Media Group
Women in Business Law Awards (Europe 2021)
2021 Mansfield Rule Certification Plus (third consecutive year)
Diversity Lab
Top 75 employer in the UK
Social Mobility Foundation
2020 Employer Index Report
Anti-racism training equips our people with tools to build a more inclusive firm
We continued to advance toward our diversity and inclusion goals, narrowing the gap between thought and action with new trainings
Esch Collection © Getty Images
Collaborating with clients around the world
6 continents
45 offices
31 countries
In 2021, we advised clients from
115
countries
on matters in
196
countries
White & Case connects clients to help build a more sustainable world
Like our clients, we are seeking ways to sustainably create long-term value and growth, a shared goal that presents opportunities to collaborate
Keith Ladzinksi © Bespoke Reps
New Firm strategy spotlights the client experience
We set out to ensure we provide our clients with an experience that emphasizes the attributes they seek in a trusted advisor
Keith Ladzinksi © Bespoke Reps
