
Litigation
Litigation overview
Resolving our clients’ complex commercial litigation challenges
White & Case’s global Litigation & Trial team protects and represents clients at every stage of dispute resolution, from risk assessment through trials and appeals, where our courtroom capabilities shine. Our clients—the world’s leading corporations, financial institutions, sovereign governments and executives—trust us repeatedly to guide them through their most significant challenges.
We represent clients in domestic and international litigation across established and emerging markets, appearing before trial, appellate, regulatory and alternative dispute resolution bodies worldwide. Our integrated Firm structure delivers seamless global support, leveraging expertise across multiple practice areas and industry specialties. Our litigators shepherd innovative, rare and precedential victories; manage cases of global complexity; and set historic achievements via strategic innovation for their clients.
White & Case is renowned for litigation with international dimensions, and recognized for our strength across civil and criminal litigation, and in class action work. Our cross-border contentious experience, technical capabilities and extensive geographic coverage provide crucial insights for navigating complex issues in large, sophisticated transactions. We also excel at advising on evolving regulatory requirements in the United Kingdom, the United States and Europe.
Beyond dispute resolution, we prioritize prevention. Effective risk management and compliance help clients avoid disruptive, large-scale litigation. We help implement protective measures and, when disputes arise, we ensure clients have the resources, experience and knowledge for prompt, successful resolution.
Litigation experience
Vale
White & Case represents Vale S.A., the largest producer of iron ore and nickel in the world, in the group action taking place in the English Courts relating to the collapse of the Fundao Dam in Brazil in 2015.
The Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
White & Case secured a trial victory on behalf of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This case involved allegations of corruption and bid-rigging in connection with construction of the Piarco International Airport. Our firm was hired for this matter following 18 years of litigation, and our team took the case to trial only 10 months after we were retained. Following a three-and-a-half-week trial, the jury returned a verdict for our client. Final judgment was thereafter entered in favor of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for $131 million.
Gerber Products Company
On behalf of Gerber Products Company, won dismissal of all claims against the company in 29 putative class actions consolidated in the Eastern District of Virginia. Plaintiffs filed more than 130 consumer class actions against all major baby food manufacturers in courts nationwide alleging that the manufacturers failed to make adequate disclosures to consumers regarding their baby food products. We successfully consolidated all of the cases against Gerber, then won dismissal of the plaintiff's representative complaint on multiple grounds.
Anthem
White & Case achieved a landmark victory on behalf of Anthem (now Elevance Health), in one of the hardest-fought broken deal disputes in US history, resulting from the failed US$54 billion acquisition of Cigna Corporation. Over four years of litigation, two weeks of trial, and one appeal, our aggressive strategy from day one allowed Anthem to choose the grounds and define the playing field for their eventual trial success.
Meta, ongoing
White & Case serves as Meta's outside counsel, responsible for handling all of its international (i.e., non-US-based) litigation needs, including matters implicating international data protection, privacy, defamation, hosting provider liability, intellectual property and censorship laws. Relying on the power of our global network, we have handled lawsuits for Meta in more than 150 jurisdictions, spanning five continents. Our global litigation approach, centralized out of our Los Angeles office, ensures the efficient implementation of consistent positions around the world to handle cutting-edge issues. We not only successfully defend our clients in global litigation, but we also proactively persuade and educate courts, plaintiffs and government authorities on novel issues and new areas of law.
Boy Scouts of America
White & Case's litigation team led a 23-day trial in connection with confirmation of the Chapter 11 plan of reorganization for Boy Scouts of America ("BSA"), one of the country's oldest and most iconic non-profit organizations and one of the largest non-profit debtors in bankruptcy history. White & Case litigators played a central role in extensive mediation efforts with all major constituencies, leading to a series of settlements with certain of the BSA's insurers, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee, and the Roman Catholic Ad Hoc Committee. These settlements – in addition to the contributions of the SA and its local councils – resulted in a proposed settlement trust to compensate abuse survivors comprised of $2.7 billion in cash and property, in addition to valuable rights to pursue additional recoveries against non-settling parties.
Eni S.p.A
White & Case represented Eni S.p.A., an Italian global energy company, and one of its US subsidiaries, in seven lawsuits filed against them by various California cities and counties, and one NGO. These cases are part of the highest-profile climate change litigation in the US, implicating novel issues related to federal court jurisdiction over foreign companies in disputes involving conduct outside of the US; Clean Air Act pre-emption; the intersection of state tort law and federal common law in the context of global fossil fuel production; and the political question doctrine. All seven lawsuits were dismissed with prejudice. This win showcases our strategy for dismissal and contesting jurisdiction, which led to a favorable outcome for our client.
Hertz Global Holdings Inc.
White & Case advised Hertz Global Holdings Inc. on its successful financial restructuring after the rental car company filed for chapter 11 protection in response to the disastrous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business. This engagement spanned multiple practices at the firm, including our litigation team. Following the confirmation of the company's reorganization plan by the Delaware Bankruptcy Court, the company officially emerged from bankruptcy. Judge Mary Walrath described the plan as a "fantastic result" that "surpasses any result I've seen in any chapter 11 case that I've faced in my 20-plus years."
Amber Capital
The White & Case team achieved a milestone for shareholder activism in France, advising London-based Amber Capital on the conclusion of a settlement agreement with Lagardère, which put an end to several judicial proceedings between the organizations. The activist campaign, which lasted nearly 5 years, was unique regarding its achievement since it was the first time in France that a listed Société en Commandite par Actions changed its corporate structure under the pressure of a minority shareholder.
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Development Bank, Ex-Im Bank of China
White & Case acts for a syndicate of Chinese banks in respect of litigation proceedings and the restructuring of a US$925 million facility advanced to Reliance Communications Limited (RCom). RCom is part of the Reliance group owned and promoted by Mr. Anil Ambani, who was previously one of the richest people in Asia. On behalf of ICBC, White & Case obtained summary judgment against Mr. Ambani in the English High Court in respect of the outstanding amounts under the facility, which amounted to approximately US$716 million. This case showcases White & Case's ability to advise financial institutions across jurisdictions and practice areas in high-value complex disputes and transactions in relation to emerging markets.
Atol SA.
Our team advised Atol SA. (Atol), a leading French network of opticians, on its successful appeal hearing before the French Supreme Court in a case against Optical Center, a competing optical equipment retail network, following a 13-year dispute. The Nanterre Commercial Court rejected all of Optical Center's claims and ruled that Atol could not be held liable for the actions of independent merchants who were members of its network, putting an end to the legal action brought by Optical Center against Atol, ruling out any act of unfair competition attributable to Atol and paving the way to possible compensation for Atol in relation to its disparagement claim.
PT Ventures SGPS, S.A.
Taking the central role as global coordinator in a multi-jurisdictional litigation/arbitration, White & Case represented PT Ventures SGPS, S.A., a Portuguese telecommunications company, in a matter at the forefront of a corporate battle between major players to gain control of one of Africa's leading GSM network operators. The underlying dispute involved the governance of Angola's largest privately owned company, and the country's power structure, raising a number of collateral politically sensitive issues. In an arbitration proceeding, the tribunal ordered PT Ventures be paid an amount totaling more than US$650 million plus interest, along with arbitration fees and costs of more than US$12 million. Further, the tribunal also dismissed the counterclaim against PT Ventures.
Ioan Micula, European Food & others
The White & Case team scored award enforcement victories on behalf of client Ioan Micula, his brother and co-investor, and their companies. Faced with a European Commission decision holding that EU State aid rules prohibited payment of the arbitral award, our clients pursued enforcement actions in the US, the UK, Belgium and Sweden. Our clients prevailed in the EU's General Court, which fully annulled the EC's prior decision, and provided clarification regarding the incompatibility of arbitration clauses in intra-EU BITs. In the US, we obtained a favorable verdict in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, with the court entering a judgment in favor of our client of US$331 million plus interest.
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Tier 1: Dispute Resolution: International Litigation
Legal 500 US Ranked since 2021
Tier 2: Dispute Resolution: General Commercial Disputes
Legal 500 US Ranked since 2021
Elite: General Commercial Litigation Practices
Chambers USA 2025 – California, Florida, New York
Band 1: DC Litigation: General Commercial: Highly Regarded
Chambers USA 2025
Band 1: NY: Bankruptcy: Litigation
Chambers USA 2025
Band 2: USA – Disputes (International & Cross-Border)
Chambers Global 2025
Band 2: Dispute Resolution: Civil & Commercial Litigation
Chambers Global 2025: Mexico
Tier 2: Commercial Litigation: Premium
The Legal 500 UK 2025
Band 2: France - Litigation: The Elite
Chambers Global 2025
Band 2: Germany International & Cross Border Disputes
Chambers Global 2025
"White & Case's International Litigation practice is exceptional. They provide thorough support with regards to many different markets, while focusing on straightforward and business-oriented advice. They can provide comprehensive assessments, but really stand out in its capability to be concise and provide executive summaries for its clients." – Legal 500 US 2025
"White & Case provides clients with an impressive global platform. The law firm handles high-end, complex mandates from the USA and works seamlessly with other teams in its expansive network across EMEA and Asia-Pacific and with other offices across North and South America. The team excels in transactional and contentious matters, recognised for its ability to drive cross-border deals into other jurisdictions. By remaining highly attuned to the needs of all international clients, it is a popular choice for global operations." Chambers Global 2025 – editorial
"White & Case has excellent strategists who combine a savvy pragmatism with smart legal knowledge and instincts. The team is very resourceful." Chambers USA 2025 – client quote
"All the attorneys I work with at White & Case are impressive and practical. The firm has a deep bench when it comes to excellent trial lawyers." Chambers USA 2025 – client quote
"White & Case stands out for its exceptional preparedness and thorough knowledge. Its unwavering passional and dedication to its clients is evident in its meticulous work and strategic insights." Chambers USA 2025 – client quote
"They are excellent in quality and in providing clear and comprehensive advice to clients. The litigation quality of work even in complex situations is outstanding and it is the one place where we refer all our litigations in the US when we want to assure our clients success." Legal 500 US 2025 – client quote
"White & Case LLP is a leading commercial litigation firm and a pleasure to work with. Specifically, I have experienced exceptional client service, industry insights, and unwavering work ethic from both partners and associates." The Legal 500 UK 2025
"White & Case has the expertise and resources to provide very strong services in complex and sophisticated matters. The team is highly user-friendly and responsive." Chambers UK 2025 – client quote
"The team has attention to detail, strategic thinking and a client-focused approach. It consistently provides prompt and attentive service, ensuring that concerns are addressed quickly and thoroughly." Chambers USA 2025 – client quote
"Their global reach is a real strength of the firm." Chambers USA 2025 - client quote