Business sets the pace in a global order marked by risk and fragmentation
As governments grapple with regulation and national security priorities, the private sector has stepped into the breach
A message from our Chair
Partner|New York
Chair
2023 was a year of change for White & Case, as I stepped into the role of Chair and my predecessor, Hugh Verrier, completed his successful 16-year tenure. The Firm began a new chapter well positioned for continued growth. This review highlights many of the achievements and pioneering initiatives that took place throughout the year.
As the world became increasingly fragmented, we focused on the global connections that matter to our clients. We collaborated across borders, providing integrated services and maintaining the strong personal and professional bonds that make a difference, particularly in uncertain times.
Our work on high-stakes deals, disputes and pro bono matters placed us at the center of industry trends related to energy transition, finance, technology and more. We contributed to the conversation on these issues, publishing insights that included a comprehensive report on the future of globalization. Our report, A world of clubs and fences: Changing regulation and the remaking of globalization, puts forward a new conceptual model to understand cross-border interconnectedness in a time of sweeping legal and regulatory changes.
We also increased our ability to serve clients, promoting 46 new partners and welcoming 36 lateral partners. We continued to find innovative solutions that enhance client services and foster efficiency. And as generative AI continues to make headlines, we developed tools that will enable us to embrace its possibilities, while carefully managing its risks.
Looking ahead, White & Case enters its next phase with a solid foundation and an ambitious growth plan that will keep us at the forefront of the rapidly changing legal industry. I look forward to what we and our clients will accomplish together in the coming years.
Conversations
Guest speakers at Firm events share views on timely topics
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Challenging assumptions and setting boundaries to fight career burnout
Our learned behavior and ideas about work may keep us from operating at our best
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Electric vehicle batteries hold center stage in the energy transition
By uniting industry participants who may seem to have divergent interests, the Global Battery Alliance is paving the way for a sustainable battery supply chain
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Global Trends
Developments that reshaped the world
Energy transition forged ahead in a complex world
The war in Ukraine and high energy prices challenged energy transition timetables, but governments and investors were determined to stay the course
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M&A and debt markets feel the chill
M&A and debt market activity declined in 2023, as high interest rates and macroeconomic dislocation saw increasingly cautious dealmakers and lenders put deployment on hold
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Generative AI boosted the technology sector in a challenging year
Growth and investment in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) lifted the technology sector after a slowdown in transaction activity throughout 2023, but regulatory challenges loomed large
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Remaking globalization: A new world order
The relatively free cross-border flow of goods, capital, information and people that have characterized globalization for decades is being replaced by regulatory "clubs" and "fences"
© Bogdan Caraman / Getty Images
Impact
Highlights of our work in 2023
Our growth and accolades
Our achievements position us for success
Our annual revenue
US$2.95 billion in revenue
Our lawyers worldwide
2,559 total lawyers
1,291EMEA
998Americas
271Asia-Pacific
1,220US-qualified lawyers
550English-qualified lawyers
© Nathaniel Adam Cruz / GettyImages
2023 awards & rankings
In markets around the world, White & Case earned many of the legal industry’s top accolades
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Our responsible business practices
White & Case is committed to fair and ethical operations that respect the interests of our stakeholders and recognize the importance of protecting our environment. Our Responsible Business Subcommittee leads environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability efforts across our global operations.
As a signatory to the UN Global Compact, we affirm our commitment to doing business responsibly by aligning our operations with the Compact’s ten principles on human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. Our most recent Communication on Progress outlines the steps we are taking to continue to embed these principles into our Firm’s operations.
Our latest Environmental Sustainability Report includes information on our sustainable operations, scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions data, and our most recent Environmental Management Systems survey. Highlights from 2023 include:
Launching our new global Sustainable Operations Guidelines, which provide guidance for running our business operations in line with best practices
Sourcing nearly half of our electricity from renewable sources, with a commitment to increasing this annually
Completing our annual greenhouse gas emissions assessment, Carbon Disclosure Project and EcoVadis submissions
Maintaining ISO14001 certification in our London office
Continuing to collaborate with the Legal Sustainability Alliance, which helps the legal sector take effective action on environmental issues
Diversity & 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, Asia-Pacific, Latinx/Hispanic, Middle Eastern and North African, 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.
24 local women’s networks
Our 24 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:
42% of the Firm’s global management
50% of the Executive Committee
21% of other leadership roles
36% of our 2023 global partner promotions
25% of global Partnership
43% of our lawyers
In the US:
42% of our lawyers self-identify as of color
7% of our lawyers self-identify as LGBTQ+
4% of our lawyers self-identify with disabilities
28% of our partners self-identify as of color
3% of our partners self-identify as LGBTQ+
4% of our partners self-identify with disabilities
In London:
32% of our lawyers self-identify as of color
10% of our lawyers self-identify as LGBTQ+
4% of our lawyers self-identify with disabilities
13% of our partners self-identify as of color
5% of our partners self-identify as LGBTQ+
2% of our partners self-identify with disabilities
Globally:
125nationalities
92languages spoken
Recognition
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is recognized by leading publications and alliance organizations
Number 1 Most Diverse Law Firm among top 10 US firms by revenue
(Number 2 among all firms scored) The American Lawyer Diversity Scorecard 2023
Diverse Women Lawyers: International Firm
Euromoney Legal Media Group Women in Business Awards 2023 Americas
Euromoney Legal Media Group Women in Business Awards 2023 Asia-Pacific
Euromoney Legal Media Group Women in Business Awards 2023 Asia-Pacific
Top 75 employer in the UK
Social Mobility Foundation Employer Index 2023
Innovative International Law Firm of the Year
Work-Life Balance International Firm of the Year
United Kingdom Law Firm of the Year
United Emirates Law Firm of the Year
Work-Life Balance International Firm of the Year
United Kingdom Law Firm of the Year
United Emirates Law Firm of the Year
Euromoney Legal Media Group Women in Business Awards 2023 EMEA
2023 Mansfield Certification
(Mansfield-certified since the program’s inception in 2018)
90% rating on commitment to LGBTQ+ workplace equality
Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index 2023 – 2024
First post-pandemic Middle East Women’s Conference features candid conversations
White & Case women gather to build connections and advance career opportunities
© White & Case
Collaborating with clients around the world
6 continents
44offices
30countries
In 2023 we advised clients from
128
countries
on matters in
201
countries
An internal guide addresses 20 areas of legislation in four Asia-Pacific countries
An internal guide addresses 20 areas of legislation in four Asia-Pacific countries
© Esch Collection / GettyImages
White & Case embraces GenAI—with care
A transformative technology enables new ways of working
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Photo by © ASF - Architect Simone Forconi
iBridge, an interactive pedestrian bridge submitted for a design competition. Sensors on the floor of the bridge allow it to transform pedestrian and cycling traffic into usable energy.