Switzerland
Working in Switzerland
White & Case S.A. has been present in Switzerland since 2015, advising clients on international arbitration and, more generally, dispute resolution.
Lawyers who join the Geneva team find themselves part of an open collegial culture in which innovation, teamwork and an entrepreneurial spirit are highly valued. Senior lawyers are generous with their knowledge, and new associates are encouraged to develop and learn.
Our employees have excellent academic and professional qualifications, and collectively contribute to the success of our office.
“It is the most consolidated and tight arbitration group I’ve ever seen. Their skills, knowledge and devotion is off the chart. Without any doubt, the best I've ever encountered.”
The Legal 500, 2023
Practice areas
International Arbitration
Our team has a breadth of experience in international arbitrations under all major rules, as well as ad hoc, governed by various laws, and seated in different jurisdictions. We represent clients from a wide range of industries, including construction & engineering, mining & metals, pharmaceuticals & healthcare, energy, manufacturing & industrial and consumer & retail, to name a few.
As well as advising on international arbitrations, our team also handles domestic arbitrations in Switzerland, arbitration-related court proceedings, including before the Swiss Federal Tribunal, and Swiss law advisory work. Our Geneva international arbitration lawyers come from diverse backgrounds in both civil and common law, and between them speak many languages.
Developing your written and oral advocacy skills never stops at White & Case. Doing it with experienced partners who encourage you to take on learning opportunities is what sets this Firm apart.
Associate
As a Swiss trained lawyer, the opportunity to advise on Swiss law and practice international arbitration from a truly global platform is what separates White & Case from others.
Associate
Roles
We recruit for a wide variety of positions. Find out more below.
We offer our associate lawyers exposure to international legal matters. As an associate lawyer, you will work in a team with other lawyers from various legal backgrounds. You will also be in contact with the Firm's clients. You will be encouraged to take on responsibility early in your career as you work on a range of assignments, including writing briefs, reviewing factual documents, preparing witness statements, working with technical, financial and legal experts, as well as attending hearings. We also offer our associates internal and external practical training (such as oral advocacy).
We are interested in promising associate lawyers. We look for highly motivated individuals with strong academic backgrounds (qualified in Switzerland or abroad) who are fluent in English, possess excellent drafting skills, strong commercial awareness, a high-performance mentality, significant personal achievements, and a strong commitment to the practice of law.
We offer talented Swiss law graduates the opportunity to complete a six or 12-month traineeship at our Firm, which may contribute to the "stage d'avocat" (for the time being, we do not offer the possibility to complete the full 18-month "stage d'avocat" required for the Geneva bar exam). During your internship, you will work on the Firm's matters, assisting lawyers in their day-to-day work, carrying out legal research, reviewing contracts and factual documents, drafting pleadings and legal opinions, participating in team meetings and other related activities. We are looking for highly motivated Swiss law graduates (i.e., possessing a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree. ECAV is a benefit) with strong academic backgrounds, excellent drafting skills, fluency in French and English, and advanced skills in German.
Taking part in our summer vacation scheme is the best possible way to experience what our lawyers do each day. Wherever your career takes you, the vacation scheme will expose you to international arbitration and Swiss law work, and provide an opportunity for you to develop legal skills.
These include the following:
- Undertaking client work with our partners and associates (i.e., researching areas of law, reviewing factual evidence, drafting memos, attending meetings, etc.)
- Deepening your knowledge of arbitration and learning about different practice areas
- Participating in knowledge-sharing workshops
- Attending social events and sharing an office with a trainee
- Building your network, both professionally and personally
- Receiving feedback and advice on your work and performance at the end of your vacation scheme
Dates? The four-week vacation scheme takes place every July.
Who can apply? Swiss law students with: a minimum of six semesters of law school (by the time the vacation scheme starts); excellent grades; fluent in both French and English; and with a good knowledge of German.
Applying in Switzerland
Candidates interested in applying for positions as students, associate lawyers or administrative staff should send a cover letter, CV, certificates and transcripts with grades to geneva.reception@whitecase.com. Incomplete applications will not be considered.