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White & Case: ‘Access to a global network of expertise is everything’
After adding 46 new partners in October and promoting a further 40 staff globally in November, this White & Case Sydney executive partner said the firm has no intentions of slowing its growth.
Lauren Croft
In conversation with Lawyers Weekly, White & Case Office executive partner in Sydney Kate Perumal revealed the firm’s plans moving into 2023, as well as important issues the wider legal profession needs to be focusing on.
“White & Case will continue to show that ‘global’ is more than a market description of our firm by delivering international solutions and perspectives in the service and support we provide our clients.”
Moving into 2023, Ms Perumal said that White & Case would combat the war for talent and candidate shortages by showcasing its global presence.
“The competition for talent will continue, with White & Case attracting lawyers who want to work on cross-border matters and develop their careers by working with clients in multiple jurisdictions. Clients demand cutting-edge solutions and value our network, through which they can access best practice no matter where in the world they are working. We embrace this challenge by building an outstanding global team, and offering unique opportunities for our lawyers to work on large-scale matters,” she explained.
“2023 will be an exciting year as we continue to grow in Australia and continue providing our clients with strategic support on their most important, complex matters.”
In terms of headline issues that have continued to gain traction within the last year, Ms Perumal said that a sharp increase in the number of energy executives seeking to shift investment towards a transition to clean energy has meant increased — and continuing — movement within the space.
“This year, we saw significant movement in the energy and infrastructure sector in Australia. Governments have looked to infrastructure to restart the economy after COVID, while weighing up energy priorities driven by investment in the energy transition,” she noted.
“This shift within the energy and infrastructure markets will continue to be an area of growth and focus for White & Case in 2023.”
Finally, when asked how the firm has evolved post-pandemic, Ms Perumal said that White & Case was forced to work in more agile ways — and tap into the firm’s global network more than ever.
“White & Case has always run teams across multiple jurisdictions, which requires agile working. However, the formalisation of our thinking about what it means to work in an agile way was an important part of the ongoing, industry-wide discussion around balancing the value of in-person collaboration with the importance of flexibility within the context of delivering exceptional client service.
“Now, more than ever, access to a global network of expertise is everything. Our clients are increasingly seeking support on matters that cross borders and practice areas, and this means we need the right people, in the right places, right now,” she added.
“In today’s global business landscape, where barriers are blurred between domestic and cross-border matters, global law firms like White & Case offer an unparalleled ability and agility to access expertise from across the world, and leverage that talent in service of our clients.”
Lauren Croft
Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.
