Hong Kong SAR
Why join us?
If you want to work on high-profile projects with a globally minded and diverse team, you're one of us. As a trainee in our Hong Kong office, you'll work on challenging, sophisticated and complex cross-border matters across both the developed and fast-growth markets where rules are still being made (often with our help). This includes our work across Asia-Pacific in markets that are dynamic as well as distinct in terms of culture, history and risk profile.
Our solutions to challenging problems underpin our reputation in these markets, and are admired by industry observers and clients alike. As one of a small intake of trainees, we'll support you, give you real responsibility and welcome you as an integral member of our team from day one.
Your learning curve will be steep and you can expect to work hard, learn constantly and build the skills and contacts that will last throughout your career. With four seat rotations, including opportunities for an overseas seat in one of our global offices, plus training and development, expect to work on large-scale matters that span borders and legal jurisdictions.
Our work
Over the past 100 years, we've built an unrivalled network of 44 offices in 30 countries. Today we work with clients in 180 countries, often global organisations with complex needs that span multiple offices and practices. We support and champion each other and we operate as One Firm, everywhere in the world. Our reputation is built on an ability to execute tough deals in challenging places, whether at the highest levels of global corporate life, in transitioning markets or across our London-New York axis.
Our teams in Hong Kong work with clients in Asia-Pacific and across the globe advising multinationals, regional players and local Hong Kong businesses in relation to their inbound and outbound legal needs.
In Hong Kong our key areas of work include:
- Debt Finance, Financial Restructuring and Insolvency, and Capital Markets. We are ranked among the leading leveraged finance firms globally, and we advise both public and private sector clients, including sponsors and lenders
- Corporate (including M&A, Private Equity and Investment Funds). Since 2016, we are ranked among the top 10 Corporate M&A firms globally by Mergermarket, Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters
- Dispute Resolution (including Commercial Litigation and Arbitration). We have extensive experience under the rules of major arbitral institutions including the ICC and HKIAC, and represent clients in proceedings before the Hong Kong courts
We are proud of our achievements—global revenue of more than US$2.388 billion, four practices rated Band 1 in Chambers Global, top ranked for diversity and pro bono programmes.
In Hong Kong, we are ranked by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 as Tier 1 for Banking & Finance and Private Equity. We are also a leading firm for Investment Funds, Debt Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A and Restructuring & Insolvency in Hong Kong by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021.
Inside White & Case
Global citizenship
Active global citizens
Global Citizenship comprises pro bono, volunteering, charitable giving, legal education and environmental sustainability. It helps us fulfil our responsibilities to the global community with the greatest possible impact.
Lawyers from every office and practice participate. Last year, we dedicated more than 146,000 hours to pro bono legal services. As an associate in Hong Kong, you will have unparalleled opportunities to participate in cutting-edge pro bono work on the issues that matter to you—both locally and cross-border, with many of the world's leading NGOs.
Recent Hong Kong pro bono matters include:
- Representing foreign domestic helpers who are suspected victims of human trafficking, in collaboration with several NGOs
- General corporate advice to InspiringHK Sports Foundation, an NGO that supports underprivileged students in Hong Kong through sports
- Corporate legal advice and training for the Hong Kong Red Cross
- Comparative research on protection for victims and witnesses of human rights abuses and human trafficking for Hagar International
Reaching more than 3,500 students, lawyers and judges each year, our legal education programmes build legal capacity by teaching practical skills and cultivating interest in the rule of law. Our lawyers in Hong Kong have taught legal and advocacy skills to law students, professors, lawyers and judges in Bhutan, Laos and Myanmar.
In addition to the pro bono work for InspiringHK Sports Foundation, we also collaborate with the organisation to sponsor a team of underprivileged children to participate in a youth basketball league, actively participating in practices and games.
Other volunteering efforts include:
- Charity runs and walks
- Beach clean-ups
- Food preparation for underprivileged families
Through the Hong Kong office, we also provide an annual scholarship for a student at the Asian University for Women, a regional institution in Bangladesh dedicated to women’s education and leadership development. In 2019, the scholarship recipient was also provided an internship in the office.
Around the world, we are committed to fair and ethical operations that respect the interests of our stakeholders and recognise the importance of our natural environment. All of our Global Citizenship activities are closely aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
As a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative, White & Case is committed to doing business responsibly by aligning our operations with ten principles related to human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. In support of our commitments as signatories, we have a Responsible Business Working Group and an Environmental Sustainability Committee.
For more information, read our 2020 Global Citizenship Review here.
Diversity and Inclusion
There is no such thing as a typical White & Case lawyer. We are proud that our people come from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Between us, we represent 110 nationalities and speak 87 languages, which is vital to our ability to effectively represent our diverse clients around the world.
We attract people with a global mindset, who prioritise learning about different cultures, experiences, languages and viewpoints. By increasing the diversity of students and professionals at the Firm, we add to our enjoyable, supportive work environment and develop teams that provide the best solutions for our clients.
As well as our 26 local women's networks globally, we have nine affinity networks worldwide. All employees, no matter where they are located, are invited to join any of our affinity networks, including as an ally. We work towards promoting diversity and inclusion by encouraging and coordinating activities which raise awareness of the issues being faced in our communities. In Hong Kong we partner with a range of not-for-profit organisations to run initiatives that support women, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities such as, Equal Love, Suits for Success and The Rock Foundation.
Our offer
Internship programme
A great way to obtain firsthand experience of what life is like as a trainee at White & Case is through our four-week internship programme. We offer a small number of internship places in summer and winter each year for law students interested in applying for our training contract opportunities. As an intern, you will work within a practice group alongside an associate and assist them with their work. You'll be welcomed into our team, where you'll undertake a number of meaningful and challenging tasks.
You'll have the opportunity to attend client meetings, work on pro bono matters and broaden your understanding of large cross-border transactions and matters. Throughout the internship you will:
- Learn about the Firm and our practice areas in Hong Kong and the wider Asia-Pacific
- Discover our training contract, including overseas seats
- Join in social events and get to know our people
- Be supported and given feedback through your allocated supervisor, coach and buddy
During the recruitment period, you can click here to access our online application forms.
Internship Programmes 2023 / 2024
- When can I apply? Applications for our Hong Kong Winter Internship is open from 3 July to 13 August 2023 and Summer Internship from 21 August to 31 December 2023, subject to filling our internship positions prior.
- Who can apply? Law students studying in Australia, UK or Hong Kong looking to start their training contract in 2026.
- Our winter internship is held in December - January and our summer internship is typically held in July for four weeks. Exact dates will be confirmed during the recruitment process.
Training contract
You will join a small group of globally minded trainees for our two-year programme. Expect to take on real responsibility, continuous learning and development, and feel supported at every stage.
Our training contract offers four six-month seats, including a seat in one of our overseas offices. Almost all of our work is cross-border, so we need mobile lawyers with international experience, outlook and networks.
Before you start your training contract with us, you will need to complete the PCLL course. We will fund your PCLL tuition fees and offer you a maintenance grant during your PCLL.
All of our trainees work alongside an experienced supervisor. Their job is to make sure you get plenty of opportunities to expand the skills, knowledge and experience you need to become the best lawyer you can be.
A high-stretch, high-support organisation, we are committed to providing ongoing support and the best on-the-job training possible. Reassuringly, the people who recruit you stay closely involved in your development throughout your training period.
At the end of the two years, you will have a clear view about how you want your career to progress, and we are confident that you will see White & Case as the ideal platform to take that next step. We are committed to recruiting the right people and equally committed to helping them develop into successful and respected legal professionals.
Most of our clients are multinational organisations, so almost everything you will work on will cover more than one jurisdiction. To help develop a taste for global thinking, we encourage and support a six-month trainee seat rotation in one of our offices.
While on secondment abroad your accommodations will be paid for, and you will receive a cost-of-living allowance. A local supervisor will also be appointed, to ensure that you get the most out of your time there.
Virtual learning programme
Our virtual learning programme is a great opportunity to discover life as a White & Case trainee and experience the stimulating and challenging reality of working as an international commercial lawyer.
You'll gain insight into the fast-paced innovative projects our teams work on and gain valuable skills on true-to-life legal tasks. This experience will be recognised on our application forms and will demonstrate your interest in law and White & Case.
Join any of our global virtual learning programmes here.
Experienced lawyers
We offer our experienced lawyers complex, intellectually challenging and cross-border work right from the start of their journey with us. You will have the opportunity to advise on high-profile and innovative deals, working in close collaboration with our network of offices across the globe.
We believe that ongoing professional development is an integral part of becoming a great lawyer, and offer globally available training programmes, supplemented by local practice-specific and business skills training sessions. Associates are also encouraged to take advantage of our unmatched global network of offices and secondment opportunities to gain insight into the international nature of our work.
If you are interested in joining our team, please view the open vacancies here and submit your cover letter and résumé in English.
Our interview process for experienced lawyers includes several stages of interview with partners and associates to enable us to get to know you and allow you to get a feel for our environment. For some positions, you might also be given a written legal assignment or translation task to assess your Chinese language capabilities.
White & Case does not accept unsolicited CVs or applications from agencies other than preferred suppliers. The Firm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs or applications and explicitly reserves its right to contact candidates presented in such unsolicited CV or application.
General candidate or agency queries should be directed to Jennifer Lau (Jennifer.lau@whitecase.com)
White & Case provides its people with an environment to grow and succeed by exposing them to great opportunities while providing them with a strong support system.
Starting your career at White & Case will give you excellent professional development opportunities.
Join us
Ready to apply?
To apply for our internship programme, you will need to complete an online application form.
We recruit our future Hong Kong trainees from our internship programme. To secure a Hong Kong training contract with White & Case, we strongly encourage you to apply for an internship. As an intern, you will be offered a guaranteed training contract interview.
To contact the Recruitment team, please email graduaterecruitment.apac@whitecase.com.
How to apply
To apply for any of our opportunities, click apply during the application period to complete your online application.
Our internship assessment process includes the following key steps:
Online application + assessment
- You will complete an online application form and submit your academic transcript, cover letter, and CV
- You will complete a series of 3 games based assessments. Time commitment: 40-45 mins.
First Stage Interview
- Successful candidates will be invited to complete a pre-recorded video interview
- Before you answer the questions, you will have the opportunity to complete a practice question to help you feel more at ease, and we also share our own hints and tips for success
Get tips on how to shine in the video interview here
Written assessment
- You will be given 50 minutes to complete a translation assessment from English to Chinese and Chinese to English
Final interview
- This is your opportunity to meet with partners or counsel of the Firm
- During the interviews, we would like to hear about your experiences, motivations for a career in law, and your interest in joining White & Case
- The partners will also assess your communication skills in Chinese, if relevant
- You will also be given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have