White & Case LLP is a leading global law firm with a substantial presence in London, one of its largest and most strategically important offices outside the United States. The firm is known for its strong international capabilities, advising some of the world’s largest companies, financial institutions, and governments on complex cross-border transactions and disputes.
White & Case’s London office offers a full-service platform, with particular strength in banking and finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, disputes, international arbitration, and project finance.
Services Offered
The London office provides a broad spectrum of legal services, with core practice areas including:
- Banking and Finance
Acting for lenders, borrowers, sponsors, and financial institutions across a wide range of financing transactions, including leveraged finance, real estate finance, asset finance, and structured finance. - Capital Markets
Advising on high-profile debt and equity capital markets transactions, including IPOs, rights issues, high-yield bonds, and securitisations. - Corporate/M&A
Supporting multinational corporations, private equity houses, and financial sponsors in mergers, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, and corporate governance. - Disputes and International Arbitration
Handling high-value, multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation and international arbitration, often involving sovereign states, multinational corporations, and large financial institutions. - Project Development and Finance
Advising sponsors, lenders, and governments on major infrastructure, energy, and natural resources projects across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. - Competition/Antitrust
Advising on merger control, antitrust investigations, and competition litigation, with a strong emphasis on multi-jurisdictional issues. - Private Equity
Acting for major sponsors and funds on acquisitions, exits, portfolio management, and fund formation. - Restructuring and Insolvency
Advising creditors, debtors, investors, and insolvency practitioners in complex cross-border restructurings and insolvencies. - Employment, Pensions and Benefits
Advising clients on employment aspects of transactions, stand-alone employment matters, and executive compensation.
White & Case London is known for its international outlook, often coordinating teams across multiple jurisdictions to handle highly complex matters.
Company History
White & Case was founded in 1901 in New York City. The firm expanded internationally early in its history, establishing a London office in 1971. Over the decades, White & Case has built a strong reputation for its global reach and ability to execute sophisticated cross-border matters.
The London office has grown significantly and today is a key hub within the firm’s global network. It operates with a particularly international team of lawyers, representing more than 40 nationalities, and serves clients across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
White & Case London has invested heavily in developing core practices such as banking and finance, international arbitration, and capital markets, making it a critical component of the firm’s international operations.
Awards and Recognition
White & Case’s London office has earned significant recognition, including:
- Chambers UK and The Legal 500 UK
Consistently ranked highly in Banking and Finance, Project Finance, International Arbitration, Corporate/M&A, and Capital Markets. - IFLR1000
Recognised as a leading firm in Banking, Project Finance, Restructuring and Insolvency, and M&A. - British Legal Awards
Winner of ‘Banking and Finance Team of the Year’ and shortlisted across various categories. - GAR 30
Recognised among the top firms globally for international arbitration. - Legal Business Awards
Nominated for International Firm of the Year. - Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards
Commended for innovation in cross-border finance and dispute resolution.
The firm is frequently praised for its strong cross-border capabilities, particularly in emerging markets, and its ability to handle novel and complex legal issues.
Client and Industry Sentiment
The overall sentiment from clients and legal market commentators towards White & Case London is very positive:
- Strength in cross-border matters
Clients consistently praise the firm’s seamless coordination across different jurisdictions and its ability to bring global teams together efficiently. - Technical ability and expertise
White & Case’s lawyers are recognised for their high technical standards, particularly in complex finance, arbitration, and project development work. - Responsiveness and commercial awareness
Clients commend the firm’s ability to provide timely, commercially relevant advice that is grounded in a practical understanding of their industries. - International mindset
Clients appreciate the truly international culture at White & Case, with multi-lingual teams and deep understanding of local markets in Europe, Africa, and beyond. - Training and development
Internally, White & Case London is known for offering robust training, international secondments, and early responsibility for associates, although the demanding workload is often mentioned as a challenge.
While the firm’s strengths in international transactions and disputes are widely acknowledged, some clients note that the size and structure of the firm can occasionally lead to higher costs compared to boutique or national firms.
Nonetheless, White & Case London is widely viewed as a trusted adviser for sophisticated, cross-border work, with strong technical, commercial, and global credentials.
Address:
5 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1DW, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7532 1000
www.whitecase.com