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History: building an international power Founded in 1901, the New York-based firm began its history by providing legal services to banks and other clients. In the 1920s, White & Case opened up a Paris office, which it closed at the start of World War II. This would be the first in a series of foreign office openings and closings. The firm re-established its Paris branch in 1960 and later added offices in London (1971), Washington, DC (1974), and Hong Kong (1978). Changing of the guard In 1980 the firm elected James B. Hurlock as its managing partner. Hurlock built White & Case into an international power, adding 10 foreign offices by 1990. Hurlock stirred up a whirlwind of controversy in 1989 when he hired Rudy Giuliani, the former Manhattan U.S. Attorney, as a partner - despite Giuliani's apparent lack of interest in doing any work. Giuliani left the firm in 1990, saying the firm was too contentious. The firm received further negative publicity as attention focused on its list of foreign clients, which included the government of Panama and Banco Nacional de Panama. After two decades at the helm, James Hurlock stepped down as the managing partner of White & Case in 2000. The W&C partner committee elected 60-year-old Duane Wall to serve a four-year term beginning April 1 of that year. Wall had been in charge of W&C's banking practice group since 1981 and had a hand in Deutsche Bank's acquisition of Bankers Trust and Swiss Bank's merger with Union Bank of Switzerland. We are the world White & Case's has engaged in dramatic international expansion. The firm added more than 185 lawyers to its foreign offices between 1990 and 1996. In Latin America, it established a sizeable branch in Mexico City and a presence in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The firm also has significant offices in Turkey (with offices in both Istanbul and Ankara), London, Moscow, Budapest, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Paris, Prague, Brussels, Stockholm, and Warsaw. With its early entry in Eastern and Central Europe, the firm ably positioned itself to take advantage of the interdependent nature of the global economy and became a leader in a trio of new practice areas in the formerly communist countries: project finance, privatization, and law reform. White & Case will often establish a presence in countries prior to official certification. For example, the firm first ventured into Kazakhstan in 1992, but did not become officially licensed there until March 1998. The international paper chase White & Case is currently taking part in the creation of the largest paper producer in the world, representing Finnish paper giant UPM-Kymmene in its merger with U.S.-based Champion International Corporation. The deal, announced in February 2000, is the first substantial cross-Atlantic merger in the paper industry. Friend to football Back at home, the firm represented the estate of Leon Hess when it sold the New York Jets to pharmaceutical heir Robert Wood Johnson IV in January 2000. The firm later successfully defended the Jets against a lawsuit brought by its former assistant coach Bill Belichick. Belichick brought suit against the football club and the NFL in order to be let out of his contract with the team and move on to the New England Patriots. The two sides eventually settled their dispute with Belichick heading off to New England in exchange for a first-round draft pick. In February 2000, the firm successfully represented NFL Properties and the Green Bay Packers in post-trial motions in the trademark infringement case against ProStyle, Inc.
A window of opportunity Insiders report that White & Case is very selective when choosing its lawyers. But some believe that the standards for getting hired at White & Case have eased a bit due to the hot legal job market. "The firm now accepts lower grades and much less selective law schools," one source opines. Some lawyers report lower-than-normal representation in the W&C summer class from the country's top schools. According to one lawyer, some candidates for summer positions have gone to other firms because of the W&C's slow response to the salary wars in New York and a perceived lack of marquee practice areas. Nonetheless, getting a job at White & Case is no cakewalk, and things could become even more difficult in a tighter legal job market. White & Case's summer program offers a rotation system that gives law students a chance to spend three to six weeks in various practice areas. Summer associates are not encouraged to split their summer between two firms and are expected to work at W&C for at least the first nine weeks of the summer. Grades are by far the most important factor for getting a job at White & Case, associates say. But the firm also looks for candidates who have interesting resumes. "Recruiting looks at the overall person, not just grades," says one source. Insiders say that a candidate should present himself or herself as "someone who takes initiative" - since the firm has an unstructured assignment system - as well as someone who "can handle a great deal of responsibility at an early stage of their career." Another associate suggests that "an interest in the international practice, language skills, and broad travel are pluses but not mandatory."
The proof is in the people What is associates' favorite thing about the firm? "The people, by far." "I have a great deal of respect for the people I work with and for the individuals at my firm generally. It is a great working environment in that respect," opines one associate. Another source comments: "People work very hard here, but most know when it's time to go home, go out for a drink, or take a vacation." Less stuffy than most "Of the big firms, W&C is less stuffy than most. Not everyone here is from an Ivy League school, but everyone is an excellent lawyer," according to one associate. Although White & Case's size makes it difficult to put a single label on the culture of the firm, most associates find it a pleasant place to work. An insider says, "White & Case associates tend to be better rounded than those at other big New York firms. Most people have interesting backgrounds and most have lived outside of the U.S. The office is very international and very social." Others remark about the entrepreneurial spirit at White & Case. "The culture supports people who take the initiative and ownership of situations, sometimes too much," says one associate. Opines another, "Associates who seek out opportunities with enthusiasm and commitment are duly rewarded. If you are not interested in doing high-level work, you can float through this place, but you will not find it a fulfilling experience." Compared to corporate, the New York office's litigation department has "a small-firm feel" insiders report. "Corporate is probably more similar to what one would expect of a New York corporate law firm," the lawyer notes. Growing pains Associates are enthusiastic about White & Case's strong focus on the international arena. "It is rare that a matter does not involve foreign offices and clients," comments one attorney. Many insiders cite the firm's international focus as the reason they chose White & Case. But the firm's global expansion has translated into growing pains for a few lawyers. Some New Yorkers worry that much of the "deal of the year" work is done abroad, while an associate in the DC office complains that that branch is too dependent on other offices for work. Some insiders also lament the poor communication between attorneys. White shoe firm in white shoe offices White & Case's offices get mixed reviews. One lawyer says, "The dated earth and desert tones and dowdy furnishings make our office comfortable, but not entirely modern or attractive." Some say the offices match the firm's personality. "Very old and white shoe d?cor. However, it fits with the history of the firm and the majority of its attorneys." In the New York office, pairs of first-years and second-years share offices. One insider reports that White & Case's lease on its New York office is up for renewal in two years and the firm is considering a renovation. International diversity According to insiders, White & Case has made great strides in recent years in terms of diversity. Comments an attorney in the New York office, "The firm's global practice attracts a relatively diverse group of attorneys, not only in terms of race but national origin as well. It is not uncommon to hear three or four languages in the office on any given day. However, the firm does not maintain a formal affirmative action policy." Pro bono: if you build it, they will come White & Case's pro bono work includes working on asylum cases for refugees forced to flee their countries and assisting several nonprofit organizations in incorporating and filing for tax exempt status. Although W&C counts pro bono hours toward billing requirements, it keeps pro bono in a separate category in hour reports. On associate complains that his pro bono hours were "filtered out" during his performance reviews. Another lawyer remarks, "Some partners have made it quite clear that they have no regard for pro bono work. If you seek it, they will let you do it. [But] I have not heard any partners encouraging it." Others report that the litigation department is more receptive toward pro bono than the corporate department.
Dana E. Stephenson Director of Legal Employment (212) 819-8200
Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue;Shearman & Sterling;Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom;Weil, Gotshal & Manges More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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