The pandemic prompted a workplace shakeup, shining a spotlight on employee wellness
Amy Blankson offers tools that can boost happiness as we enter a new world of work
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.
Guest speakers at Firm events share views on timely topics
Amy Blankson offers tools that can boost happiness as we enter a new world of work
Kenneth Cukier talks about the process that can lead to breakthroughs and help us tackle novel challenges
Antonio Zappulla talks about how TrustLaw tackles some of the world’s biggest challenges
Developments that reshaped the world
The focus on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 remained a priority for governments, investors and energy companies
Addressing ESG factors became “the new normal” for investors and businesses
Activity across debt and M&A markets slowed as rising interest rates and high inflation saw investors, borrowers and lenders recalibrate risk appetite
Around the world, legal and regulatory developments continued to reshape global interconnectedness
Highlights of our work in 2022
Our achievements position us for success
US$2.83 billion in revenue
2,616 total lawyers
Meet the outstanding generation of talented lawyers who strengthened our Firm in 2022
In markets around the world, White & Case earned many of the legal industry’s top accolades
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.
Committed to advancing diversity and inclusion across the Firm
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.
49%of our lawyers self-identify as of color
28%of our partners self-identify as of color
43%of our lawyers self-identify as of color
27%of our partners self-identify as of color
118nationalities
95languages spoken
Leading publications and alliance organizations continue to recognize our commitment to diversity and inclusion
Helping our colleagues to reach new heights
Committing to growth opportunities for colleagues in wide-ranging roles
Recognizing the value of our lawyers as they start their careers
Focusing on consistent application of best practices
Leveraging technology to streamline routine work and enhance client service
Collaborating to effect change and build strong connections
Visuals by Roman De Giuli
Confirmation of Boy Scouts of America chapter 11 plan of reorganization
We represent Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in its chapter 11 proceedings pending in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The BSA filed chapter 11 to equitably compensate survivors of historical sexual abuse and preserve its mission of delivering scouting to boys and girls nationwide. Through extensive mediation, our Financial Restructuring and Insolvency (FRI) team negotiated critical settlements with every major constituency in the chapter 11 cases, including numerous insurance companies that issued policies to the BSA. These settlements form the backbone of the BSA’s plan of reorganization. The plan received overwhelming support from survivors of past abuse in scouting—more than 85 percent voted to approve it—and provides for the establishment of a trust to benefit abuse survivors of at least US$2.46 billion in cash and property plus significant unliquidated assets, including valuable insurance rights. Our FRI and Commercial Litigation teams led a 22-day trial before the Bankruptcy Court, which resulted in confirmation of the plan of reorganization. The plan’s effective date is conditioned upon affirmation of the confirmation order by the Delaware District Court, which is currently considering the plan on appeal.
Petroserv Marine scheme of arrangement
We advised the agent and existing term loan lenders on an English scheme of arrangement proposed by Petroserv Marine Inc., which was sanctioned by the High Court of England and Wales in June 2022. We also documented the amended facilities agreement and related financing arrangements facilitated by the scheme.
Technicolor refinancing
We advised Barclays and Angelo Gordon as lenders on the refinancing of Technicolor’s (renamed Vantiva) existing debt through a €250 million senior financing and a €125 million second lien financing. We also advised Angelo Gordon on its subscription to Technicolor’s issue of €299,999,999 in convertible bonds.
Strike, LLC asset sale
We advised Strike, LLC, a full-service pipeline, facilities and energy infrastructure solutions provider, on the successful sale of substantially all its assets to an affiliate of American Industrial Partners for more than US$115 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities.
LATAM Airlines chapter 11 cases
We advised on multiple representations in the chapter 11 cases of LATAM Airlines Group S.A., the largest Latin American–based airline, including the representation of the ad hoc group of bondholders composed of 60-plus institutions that from time to time held more than US$1 billion of unsecured bonds and, separately, Oaktree Capital Management as principal lender for LATAM’s US$3.2 billion debtor-in-possession (DIP) loan.
245 Park Avenue restructuring
We represented PWM Property Management LLC and certain affiliates on a definitive agreement to sell their interests in the commercial office tower located at 245 Park Avenue in New York City to an affiliate of SL Green Realty Corp., the largest landlord in Manhattan. The transaction is valued at approximately US$2 billion, including the assumption of US$1.76 billion of existing funded debt, the equitization of US$168 million of SL Green’s existing preferred equity interests in 245 Park JV LLC and the investment of US$68 million in cash to satisfy the obligations necessary to effectuate the restructuring.
Mallinckrodt chapter 11 plan
We represented Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, regarding a US$900 million first lien revolving credit facility and US$1.9 billion first lien term loan facilities in the chapter 11 cases of Mallinckrodt plc and its affiliated debtors. We also represented Deutsche Bank and certain other banks holding US$900 million of revolving loans. We negotiated an order for the consensual use of cash collateral and an agreement on treatment under the chapter 11 plan pursuant to which revolving lenders were paid in cash in full, including default interest.