White & Case

Last updated

White & Case LLP
Logo of the law firm "White & Case" (original color).png
Headquarters 1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York City, New York, U.S.
No. of offices46 [1]
No. of attorneys2,559 (2024) [2]
No. of employeesApprox. 4,800 total
Major practice areasGeneral Practice
Key peopleHeather McDevitt (Chair) [3]
Profit per equity partner$3.5 million (2021) [4]
Date founded1901;123 years ago (1901)
Founder Justin DuPratt White
George B. Case
Company type Limited liability partnership
Website www.whitecase.com

White & Case LLP is a global white-shoe law firm based in New York City. Founded in 1901, the firm has 46 offices in 31 countries worldwide. [1] [5]

Contents

History

The firm was founded on May 1, 1901, when two Wall Street lawyers, Justin DuPratt White, 31, and George B. Case, 28, each contributed $250 (equivalent to $9,156in 2023) to establish White & Case. [6]

White attended Cornell Law School on a state scholarship, where he was an editor of The Cornell Daily Sun . Case attended Yale University, where he played college baseball for the Yale Bulldogs, and then Columbia Law School.

The pair had a close relationship with Henry P. Davison, a noted banker who helped create the Federal Reserve. The firm's first clients included Bankers Trust Company. [7]

James Hurlock led the firm as chairman from 1980 to 2000. Under Hurlock, the firm tripled its roster of lawyers and expanded into multiple global markets. [7]

As of 1989, White & Case had reported that there were no Black or Hispanic lawyers among the firm's 82 partners. According to data provided to the National Association for Law Placement, the firm reported that nine of its 247 associates were black and that six had Hispanic backgrounds. [8]

In 1994, White & Case was among the first American law firms to open offices in Vietnam. Among the firm’s first clients in the region were PetroVietnam and Vietnamese State Bank. [9]

Duane Wall was named chairman in 2000. Although he refocused its business on New York's financial services industry, [7] Wall also oversaw a merger with the German firm Feddersen Laule Ewerwahn Scherzberg Finkelnburg Clemm. [10] This enabled White & Case to become the first American company to enter the "top ten" firms in Germany. [10]

Plaque outside White & Case's Washington, D.C. office Plaque for White & Case LLC 03.jpg
Plaque outside White & Case's Washington, D.C. office

On October 1, 2007, White & Case announced a new leadership team led by chairman Hugh Verrier. [11] Shortly after taking the reins of the firm, Verrier retained the consulting firm of McKinsey & Company [12] to conduct a review of its worldwide business operations. [13]

In 2010, White & Case created a global pro bono practice, [14] focusing on three areas: access to justice, promoting the rule of law, and serving the world’s leading non-governmental organizations. [15] The firm was profiled by Law360 in 2012 for its pro bono efforts. [16]

The firm's antitrust law practice has been recognized as part of the top 5 Global Elite by the Global Competition Review (GCR) in 2020. [17]

The firm also has one of the most successful international arbitration practices in the world, having ranked first every year from 2015 to 2019, and most recently in 2021, by Global Arbitration Review (GAR). [18] White & Case is also noted by GAR as having the largest portfolio valuation of any firm for 2020 to 2022 (20 percent larger than the portfolio at the second-largest firm), and has the highest number of recognized market-leading practitioners. [18] The firm's arbitration practice is consistently ranked in the top bands across all market leading legal rankings, [19] and was most recently recognized in 2024 by Chambers as the top 4 Global Elite. [20]

In June 2020, the firm announced that it had "poached" four Winston & Strawn specialists to establish itself as a destination law firm for special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs): Joel Rubinstein, Jonathan Rochwarger, Elliott Smith and Daniel Nussen. [21] [22]

Noriega controversy

White & Case registered with the U.S. Government as a foreign agent for the Panamanian government in 1981. At the time, Panama was led by Manuel Noriega, a dictator with connections to international cocaine cartels. [23] The representation became a significant issue for Rudolph Giuliani in his 1989 campaign for New York City Mayor. Giuliani had joined the firm in February of that year and claimed no prior knowledge of the firm’s work for the Panamanian government. [8]

Pro bono work

The firm was part of a program in New York City to provide pro bono legal representation to battered women seeking a divorce from their husbands. [24]

Partner Dana Foster began working to address racial injustice in Louisiana in 2020 by representing 16 mostly Black defendants with criminal convictions issued by non-unanimous, so-called “Jim Crow” juries. Created by segregationist lawmakers in the 1880s to oppress Black Americans, these laws were deemed unconstitutional in 2020 by the U.S. Supreme Court. [25]

Notable lawyers and alumni

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shearman & Sterling</span> Multinational law firm based in New York City

Shearman & Sterling LLP was a multinational law firm headquartered in New York City, United States.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, formerly Cleary, Gottlieb, Friendly & Cox and Cleary, Gottlieb, Friendly, Steen & Hamilton, is an American multinational law firm headquartered at One Liberty Plaza in New York City. Known as a white shoe law firm, Cleary employs over 1,200 lawyers worldwide.

Greenberg Traurig is a multinational law and lobbying firm founded in Miami in 1967 by Mel Greenberg, Larry J. Hoffman, and Robert H. Traurig.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is an American multinational white-shoe law firm headquartered on Sixth Avenue in New York City. The firm maintains an all-equity partnership, with approximately 242 partners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe</span> Law firm

Orrick is an international law firm founded in San Francisco, California. The firm advises on transactions, litigation and regulatory matters for venture-backed companies, public companies, E&I funds, financial institutions and governments.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is an American white shoe law firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The firm employs approximately 1,000 attorneys throughout 35 offices around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nixon Peabody</span> Law firm

Nixon Peabody LLP is a Global 100 Boston-based law firm with over 700 attorneys collaborating across major practice areas in cities across the U.S. and in international offices in London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. In addition to the firm's Boston headquarters, it maintains U.S. office locations in New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Albany, Buffalo, Manchester, Rochester, and Providence.

Bracewell LLP is an international law firm based in Houston, Texas, that began in 1945. The firm has approximately 350 lawyers, and has United States offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Seattle, Dallas and Austin, as well as offices in Dubai, Paris and London.

Sidley Austin LLP is an American multinational law firm with approximately 2,300 lawyers in 21 offices worldwide. It was established in 1866 and its headquarters is at One South Dearborn in Chicago's Loop. It is one of the largest law firms in the world in terms of revenue. Among its alumni are former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howrey</span>

Howrey LLP was a global law firm that practiced antitrust, global litigation and intellectual property law. At its peak Howrey had more than 700 attorneys in 17 locations worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wiley Rein</span> American law firm

Wiley Rein LLP, sometimes shortened to Wiley, is an American law firm based in Washington, D.C. With 240 lawyers, the firm represents clients in complex regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters. Many of the firm's lawyers and public policy advisors have held high-level positions in the White House, on Capitol Hill, and in federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. Department of Justice. The firm operates in industries including energy, manufacturing, defense, aerospace, intelligence, information technology, professional services, telecommunications, health care, architectural and engineering (A&E), and construction.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is an American international law firm with approximately 2,200 legal professionals in 31 offices across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Mergers with other law firms stimulated global growth and led to a ranking of eighth on The American Lawyer's 2018 top 100 firms by gross revenue list. It is also the largest law firm chaired by a woman and represents "three-quarters of the Fortune 100 companies."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dechert</span> American law firm

Dechert LLP is a multinational American law firm of more than 900 lawyers with practices in corporate and securities, complex litigation, finance and real estate, financial services, asset management, and private equity. In 2021, the firm raised revenues by 25%, with a total of $1.3 billion. On Law.com's 2022 Global 200 survey, Dechert ranked as the 41st highest grossing law firm in the world.

Mayer Brown is a global white-shoe law firm, founded in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It has offices in 27 cities throughout the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with its largest offices being in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City, Hong Kong, and London.

Reed Smith LLP is a global law firm with more than 1,500 lawyers in 30 offices throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Crowell & Moring is an international law firm headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Chicago, Denver, London, Brussels, Doha, and Shanghai. With approximately 600 lawyers, the firm advises multinational corporations on regulatory, litigation, corporate, and investigations matters. As of 2022, Crowell & Moring is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States in The American Lawyer's "AmLaw 100" list, based on gross revenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foley Hoag</span> Law firm based in Boston

Foley Hoag LLP is a law firm headquartered in Boston, with additional offices in New York City, Paris, Washington, D.C., and Denver. The firm represents public and private clients in a wide range of disputes and transactions worldwide. It offers regional, national, and international legal services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akerman LLP</span> American law firm

Akerman is a United States–based law firm. It is among the 100 largest firms in the United States, according to rankings by The American Lawyer. The firm has 24 offices across the United States and approximately 750 lawyers, with its largest office in New York City. The firm is ranked by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation, and U.S. News-Best Lawyers as among the top practices in the United States.

Covington & Burling LLP is an American multinational law firm. Known as a white-shoe law firm, it is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and advises clients on transactional, litigation, regulatory, and public policy matters. The firm has additional offices in Beijing, Brussels, Frankfurt, Dubai, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, and Boston.

Buckley LLP was a financial services, criminal, and civil enforcement defense law firm which had 160 lawyers scattered across different parts of the United States of America; in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and in London. As of February 1, 2023, Buckley merged with global law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.

References

  1. 1 2 "White & Case in Germany". White & Case. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  2. ↑ "White & Case". law.com.
  3. ↑ "White & Case New Chair". Whitecase.com. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  4. ↑ "Rocketing revenues at White & Case as London sees another double-digit boost". Legal Business. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  5. ↑ Amon, Elizabeth (20 March 2013). "White & Case, Baker Botts, Gibson Dunn: Business of Law". Bloomberg. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  6. ↑ "White & Case History" . Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 Feuer, Alan (6 June 2009). "A Study in Why Major Law Firms Are Shrinking". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  8. 1 2 Barbanel, Josh (25 May 1989). "Questions on Noriega Stall the Guiliani Campaign". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "Newsday 13 Feb 1994, page 25". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  10. 1 2 Mizzi, Anne (29 June 2020). "White & Case hits top ten in Germany with merger". The Law Society Gazette. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  11. ↑ Byrne, Matt (21 September 2011). "White & Case revamps executive committee | News". The Lawyer. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  12. ↑ Journal, A. B. A. "What McKinsey Told White & Case". ABA Journal. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  13. ↑ Journal, A. B. A. "White & Case Closes Doors at Last Italian Office". ABA Journal. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  14. ↑ "White & Case Globalizes Pro Bono". Amlawdaily.typepad.com. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  15. ↑ "2012 Pro Bono Survey". Americanlawyer.com. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "Pro Bono Firm Of 2012: White & Case". Law360. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  17. ↑ "Global Competition Review - GCR 100". globalcompetitionreview.com. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  18. 1 2 "Global Arbitration Review Gives White & Case Top Marks for International Arbitration | White & Case LLP". www.whitecase.com. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  19. ↑ "White & Case Wins Top 2022 Rankings from Chambers USA, The Legal 500 | White & Case LLP". www.whitecase.com. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  20. ↑ "International Arbitration: The Elite, USA, Global | Chambers Rankings". chambers.com. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  21. ↑ "Wake Up Call: DLA Piper Accused of 'Double-Dealing'" by Rick Mitchell, Bloomberg Law, June 18, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  22. ↑ "The Law Firm of White & Case Acquires the Winston & Strawn SPAC Team" by Kristi Marvin, SPAC Insider, June 17, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  23. 1 2 Glaberson, William (16 February 1989). "Giuliani Is Said to Be Joining Firm as Partner". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  24. ↑ "Daily News 16 Mar 1995, page 432". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  25. ↑ "Lawyers use pro bono hours to step up fight for racial justice". Financial Times. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  26. ↑ Loftus, Tom. "Here are 10 things to know about Andy Beshear, candidate for governor". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  27. ↑ "Ex-Gov. Beshear Returns To Old Ky. Home: Stites & Harbison - Law360". www.law360.com. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  28. ↑ Postelnicu, Valentina (26 January 2018). "BIOGRAFIE. Cine este Ana Birchall, vicepremier pentru implementarea parteneriatelor strategice, în Guvernul Dăncilă". Libertatea (in Romanian). Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  29. ↑ Cuff, Daniel F. (10 October 1985). "ROGER M. BLOUGH, 81, DIES; LED U.S. STEEL FOR 13 YEARS". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  30. ↑ "Judge Vacates $10M Jury Award in Showdown Between South Florida Real Estate Developers". Daily Business Review. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  31. ↑ Ghorbanmehr, Amirhossein (18 December 2020). "A conversation with Prof Dr Malik R Dahlan". Dr. Hossein Sartipi. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  32. ↑ "PORT AUTHORITY NAMES INTERIM CORPORATE COUNSEL". www.panynj.gov. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  33. ↑ "Guide to the Irving S. Olds Papers, 1818-1963". dlib.nyu.edu. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  34. ↑ Hays, Mike (22 April 2021). "Nyack People & Places: The Barons of Broadway –– Miramare". Nyack News & Views. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  35. ↑ "Lauren Woodland # 283052 - Attorney Licensee Search". apps.calbar.ca.gov. Retrieved 11 February 2023.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to White & Case at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.