2022
Annual Review

What's inside

Highlights of our work, insights, achievements, programs and initiatives in a year that brought new challenges

A message from our Chair

Hugh Verrier

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.


Hugh Verrier, Chair

Conversations

Guest speakers at Firm events share views on timely topics

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

Glass elevators on the side of a London office building
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

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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

conversations 1 antonio zappulla
Matthias Kulka © Getty Images

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

energy
Richard Hamilton Smith © Getty Images

Stakeholders raise the bar on ESG

Addressing ESG factors became “the new normal” for investors and businesses

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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

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Christoph Hetzmannseder © Getty Images

Globalization: Balancing interdependencies and divisions

Around the world, legal and regulatory developments continued to reshape global interconnectedness

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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

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David Ramos © Getty Images

2022 awards & rankings

In markets around the world, White & Case earned many of the legal industry’s top accolades

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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

Measuring our progress on diversity and inclusion

Using data to create change

bird's eyeview of people
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

skydiving
Moodboard © Getty Images

For associates: A more level playing field and greater opportunity

Recognizing the value of our lawyers as they start their careers

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Shunli Zhao © Getty Images

Collaborating with clients around the world


 

world map
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

Building a better client experience
Sebàstian Calanzone © Getty Images

An innovation startup within the US Debt Finance practice

Leveraging technology to streamline routine work and enhance client service

Innovation
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

AbbVie
Paul Taylor @ Getty Images

Visuals by Roman De Giuli

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Mergers & Acquisitions

Article

4 min read

Saudi Aramco acquisition of Valvoline’s Global Products Business

We advised Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemical companies, on its entry into an equity purchase agreement with US-based automotive services provider Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) to acquire Valvoline Inc.’s Global Products Business for US$2.65 billion, subject to certain customary adjustments as set forth in the equity purchase agreement.

Zimmer Biomet spin-off of dental and spine business

We advised Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZBH and SIX: ZBH), a global medical technology leader, and ZimVie Inc. (NASDAQ: ZIMV) in the spin-off of ZimVie, Zimmer Biomet’s former dental and spine businesses.

Athena Consumer Acquisition Corp. business combination with Next.e.GO Mobile SE

We advised Athena Consumer Acquisition Corp., a technology-enabled consumer focused special purpose acquisition company led entirely by women founders, CEOs, board members and other executives (NYSE: ACAQ), on its entry into a definitive business combination agreement with Next.e.GO Mobile SE, an innovative producer of urban electric vehicles based on disruptive production systems headquartered in Germany. The transaction values the combined company at approximately US$913 million.

Blackstone investment in Invenergy Renewables

We advised the managing entity of Invenergy Renewables Holdings LLC, the largest private renewable energy company in North America, on an approximately US$3 billion equity investment from Blackstone Inc. (NYSE: BX), the world’s largest alternative asset manager.

Marathon Oil acquisition of Eagle Ford Assets

We advised Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) on its US$3 billion acquisition of Eagle Ford assets from Ensign Natural Resources, an oil & gas company sponsored by Warburg Pincus and Kayne Anderson.

ABB carveout of Accelleron Industries

We advised ABB Ltd, a leading global technology company, on the separation of Accelleron Industries Ltd from ABB in preparation for its spin-off and listing on SIX Swiss Exchange. Formerly known as ABB Turbocharging, Accelleron is a global leader in turbocharging technologies.

BC Partners investment in Fedrigoni

We advised international investment firm BC Partners LLP on its co-controlling investment, together with international private investment firm Bain Capital Private Equity, in Fedrigoni S.p.A., an Italy-based producer of value-added paper products for luxury packaging and other creative solutions. The transaction valued Fedrigoni at €3 billion.

Avast merger with NortonLifeLock

We advised digital security and privacy company Avast plc on its merger with NortonLifeLock Inc, which was structured as a takeover of Avast by NortonLifeLock. The newly merged company is Gen Digital, Inc.

 

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Brookfield Infrastructure’s acquisition of HomeServe

We advised Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE: BIP) in connection with its £4.08 billion acquisition of HomeServe plc, a home repairs and emergency services group with businesses across the UK, US, Europe and Asia.

Largest-ever de-SPACing in Europe

We advised Pegasus Entrepreneurs and its sponsors on its de-SPACing with global entertainment group FL Entertainment that resulted in the listing of FL Entertainment on Euronext Amsterdam. The terms of the transaction represent a pro forma equity value of €4.1 billion and a pro forma enterprise value of €7.2 billion.

EQT Private Equity acquisition of Envirotainer

We advised EQT Private Equity on its joint acquisition with Mubadala of Envirotainer, a global mission critical biopharma transport services company, from Cinven, Novo Holdings and Sjätte AP-fonden - AP6. The enterprise value amounts to approximately €2.8 billion.

EIG bid for Origin Energy Limited

We represented EIG, an institutional investor to the global energy and infrastructure sectors, in its joint A$18.4 billion bid with Brookfield Asset Management (through its MidOcean platform) for Origin Energy Limited by Scheme of Arrangement.

CAA acquisition of CAA-GBG

We represented Creative Artists Agency, LLC (CAA), a leading global entertainment and sports agency, in its acquisition of the business of CAA-GBG, one of the world’s leading brand management agencies, operating through a joint venture formed in 2016 between CAA and Global Brands Group.

Landmark energy transition deal

We advised Macquarie Asset Management on its acquisition of a 60 percent stake in National Grid plc UK gas transmission and metering business in a consortium with institutional investors. The business owns and operates the UK’s National Transmission System, which currently transports natural gas but is planning to convert the network in the long term to hydrogen, and plays a critical role in the UK energy landscape.

 

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