Our commitment to diversity
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Our commitment to diversity
White & Case celebrates and welcomes difference
We strive to create an environment where everyone can bring their authentic, full selves to work and thrive. Our culture promotes a respectful, supportive workplace environment, where all people feel accepted for who they are, experience a sense of belonging and are empowered to unite across differences.
I am outspoken and passionate about fostering a workplace where our employees can bring their authentic selves to work and feel included and that they belong.
Our Global Women’s Initiative is dedicated to developing women leaders and providing them with the experience and tools they need to succeed.
#1 most diverse Top 50 US law firm for 2020
White & Case ranked first of all top AmLaw firms in The American Lawyer magazine’s “Diversity Scorecard 2020” survey for percentage of full-time minority lawyers and partners for the 7th consecutive year.
13 years of perfect scores on commitment to LGBT+ workplace equality
Human Rights Campaign Foundation has acknowledged White & Case's commitment to workplace equality in its annual Corporate Equality Index for 13 consecutive years.
Exceptional inclusion of women law partners
Diversity and Flexibility Alliance named White & Case among the select group of US law firms that are “Tipping the Scales” toward more equal representation of women in law.
2020 Mansfield Certification Plus status
White & Case received certification in the inaugural year, and then exceeded Diversity Lab’s criteria for diverse lawyer representation in the last two years.
Facebook’s choice for “Diversity Champion”
Facebook, Inc. selected White & Case as the winning law firm for diversity programs and commitment to giving women and minority lawyers meaningful leadership opportunities.
110
nationalities, speaking 87 languages
10
affinity groups with more than 1,000 members
26
women’s networks with engagement in 40 offices
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Pursuing racial justice and equality
Taking action and welcoming everyone
Our commitment to racial justice and equality includes taking action to fight injustice, engaging in candid conversations and welcoming people from all cultures and backgrounds. We want to ensure that everyone who works at White & Case is encouraged, supported and inspired to do their best, while feeling like they belong here.
Recruiting top talent
We strive to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds and continually look for new ways to search for talent. This includes partnering with external organizations such as RARE Recruitment, Black Men in Law and WCAN to help us improve our diversity efforts and broaden our representation of different ethnicities and races. We also look at new technologies such as virtual interviewing platforms and online learning programs to attract and engage with broader talent pools.
Programs to support development, advancement and retention
We’re passionate about cultivating the best talent into future leaders. Our programs include mentoring and sponsorship to provide talented individuals with support and learning opportunities to advance and develop lawyers and business services colleagues with a broad variety of backgrounds and abilities.
A culture that welcomes and celebrates individuality
We focus on learning opportunities and programs to ensure our work environment has a place for everyone. This includes our series of candid conversations, unconscious bias and antiracism training, and workshops for inclusive leadership and allyship. We also celebrate Black History Month in the US and UK, Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Pride Month every year.
We can start by acknowledging the pain our Black colleagues are feeling right now.
Following the killing of George Floyd, our Chair, Hugh Verrier, sent a Firmwide message urging everyone at White & Case to support each other while taking “action in the fight against racial injustice.”
Supporting colleagues
Resources and opportunities to provide development, training and support for Black lawyers and other professionals
Our Black Affinity Network’s mentoring program pairs mid-level and senior associates with partner mentors. We plan to pilot a program for lawyers of color, with a particular focus on Black and LGBT+ talent, to increase their visibility and support their journey to potential partnership. An internal Black Lives Matter site for all colleagues includes a toolkit, information about pro bono and community service opportunities, racial justice, civil rights and mental health support, and other resources. Our Diversity and Inclusion Learning Clubs aim to engage everyone on issues of race and racial differences through book, article and movie discussions.
Public commitments to antiracism and race fairness
Members of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance and Rare Recruitment’s Race Fairness Commitment
White & Case is a signatory to Rare Recruitment’s Race Fairness Commitment, which mandates data-driven techniques and concrete action to help recruit, retain and develop Black and minority ethnic talent. As a member of the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, a global coalition of law firms, we are committed to “leverage the resources of the private bar to amplify the voices of communities and individuals oppressed by racism, to better use the law as a vehicle for change that benefits communities of color, and to promote racial equity in the law and in government institutions.
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Advancing women
Helping top-performers attain and succeed in leadership roles
One of our goals is to retain and advance top-performing women, while helping them attain and succeed in leadership roles.
In 2009, we launched the partner-led Global Women’s Initiative, which aims to achieve a meaningful increase in the percentage of women in partnership and leadership roles. This is supported by the grassroots activities of our local office Women’s Networks—which provide talent management and facilitate women supporting each other.
We also run a Leadership Speaker Series, a Sponsorship Program for Women on potential track for partnership, Executive Coaching and programs to support women in business development and preparing for leadership roles.
Our Global Women’s Initiative is dedicated to developing women leaders and providing them with the experience and tools they need to succeed.
Raising the next generation of women leaders
Members of our Global Women’s Initiative Committee monitor the progress of our women, provide mentoring and train future women leaders.
We pair women at critical phases of their career development with partner sponsors to ensure they receive opportunities and experience so they can advance to positions of leadership within the Firm and the broader legal profession.
Exceptional inclusion of women law partners
Diversity and Flexibility Alliance named White & Case among the select group of US law firms that are “Tipping the Scales” toward more equal representation of women in law.
Top Women in Dealmaking
The Deal named White & Case partners Germaine Gurr and Jessica Lauria among the honorees for legal work and activism performed in 2020.
2020 Mansfield Certification Plus status
White & Case received certification in the inaugural year, and then exceeded Diversity Lab’s criteria for diverse lawyer representation in the last two years.
Law.com honors White & Case women partners
Recognition for achievements in leadership, mentoring, innovation and assisting those in need of legal service.
IFLR Asia Women in Business Law wins
2020 "Best International Firm Mentoring Programme" and lawyer of the year for Capital Markets—Equity.
26
women’s networks with engagement in 40 offices
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Championing LGBT+ colleagues
We provide a wide range of activity and programs to support, empower and advance our LGBT+ colleagues. From celebrating Pride and LGBT+ History Months to networking, professional development and a number of social events.
- Spectrum LGBT+ Affinity Network (London, US and Germany): Supporting the Firm’s community of LGBT+ lawyers and business services colleagues, while working on opportunities to increase the recruitment, retention and development of LGBT+ people. Spectrum spearheads our global Pride and LGBT+ History Month celebrations, while also informing programs and policies to ensure we’re offering a Firm that works for everyone
- Sponsorships of LGBT+ professional development and career conferences, including the National LGBT Bar Association’s annual Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair, DiversCity in Law in London and ProutatWork in Germany
- Annual global and in-country Pride, Black Pride and LGBT Month celebrations
- Personalized outreach to law school LGBT+ affinity groups including OUTlaw and Lambda
- National Coming Out Day celebrations with office-wide stories from our people
Spectrum facilitates a number of educational and celebratory engagements for LGBT+ and non-LGBT+ colleagues, ensuring that everyone feels included and understands why the Firm has such a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The Firm has made it a priority to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Since joining the Firm, I've felt and experienced very positive LGBT+ support and acknowledgement. It has been a proud experience so far.
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Empowering our people
Our Affinity Networks are open to everyone at the Firm, including allies. Being a member means being part of a global community dedicated to identifying personal and professional development and networking opportunities, including coaching and mentoring, while also providing opportunities to raise concerns, challenges or provide feedback and advocate for change.
Our networks include:
- Black Affinity Network (US and EMEA): Promoting the cultural awareness and history of the Black experience and supporting on recruitment and development programs, cultivating Black leaders at the Firm
- BAME LINK Affinity Network: Supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues in our London office
- Colorful Affinity Network: Supporting underrepresented and minority colleagues in our offices in Germany
- Alianza Affinity Network: Promoting cultural awareness of the Hispanic American experience for colleagues in the US, while supporting on a number of recruitment and development initiatives
- Asian Affinity Network: Supporting Asian lawyers and business services colleagues across the US
- Spectrum LGBT+ Affinity Network (London, US and Germany): Supporting the Firm’s community of LGBT+ lawyers and business services colleagues, while working on opportunities to increase the recruitment, retention and development of LGBT people. Spectrum spearheads our global Pride and LGBT+ History Month celebrations, while also informing programs and policies to ensure we’re offering a Firm that works for everyone
- Middle Eastern Affinity Network: Providing a sense of community and belonging for lawyers and business services colleagues of Middle Eastern background in the US
- 26 Local Women’s Networks with representation in 40 of our offices, offering professional development, networking and support opportunities to women lawyers and business services professionals
- Our Diversity and Inclusion Learning Clubs aim to engage everyone on issues of diversity, inclusion and belonging through book, article and movie discussions
Alianza is constantly providing training and support for Latinx students who will develop into the next generation of lawyers, while also advocating for its members within the Firm
The Asian affinity network supports the visibility, professional growth and advancement of Asian-Pacific lawyers across the Firm.
I love being part of Spectrum (especially now as co-chair) because it has given me support and community at work.
