White & Case Wins Financial Times “Innovation in People and Skills Management” Award

White & Case LLP has won the Financial Times 2022 "Innovation in People and Skills Management" award at this year's Financial Times Innovative Lawyers North America awards. 

The Firm has also been recognized as a standout in the "Innovation in New Services" and "Innovation in ESG Practices" categories, and commended in the "Innovation in Equity and Racial Justice" category. Based on these four rankings, the Firm is ranked #6 on the Financial Times law firm index — North America.

White & Case was honored with the "Innovation in People and Skills Management" award for creating a centralized "coaching office" for non-partners (lawyers and business services professionals) across the Firm's global offices. The coaching sessions are intended to support individuals in developing their skills, navigating current roles and working toward long-term career goals.

Financial Times also recognized White & Case as a standout in the "Innovation in ESG Practices" category for its 130-page independent report and analysis of potential bias in ESG ratings and guidelines for future industry-wide avoidance of bias.

White & Case was also recognized as a standout in the "Innovation in New Services" category for the creation of a Solutions Team by the Firm's Debt Finance Practice. The Solutions Team, which includes experienced finance lawyers and knowledge and technology specialists, was created to address increasing client demand. The Solutions Team handles certain routine work, operates as an internal consultancy, and offers high-value supplementary services to clients. Notably, for one project, the Solutions Team reviewed 100 credit agreements in less than a third of the usual time. 

Additionally, the Financial Times commended White & Case for its work through the Racial Justice Task Force, which focuses on fighting racism and social injustice through criminal-justice reform, education, and economic empowerment. Notably, in the past year, the task force secured the release of two individuals who were convicted by non-unanimous, "Jim Crow" juries in Louisiana and sentenced to over 20 years in prison.