White & Case

Looking for cross-border work and guaranteed international secondments? A training contract at the crème de la crème of capital markets is an open-and-shut Case.

White & Case training contract review 2026

About the firm

When you think of a career at a US law firm, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, the drama of the hit series Suits (New York, not LA) certainly tops the list, but White & Case offers much more than the glitz of city high rises, and it couldn’t be much further from the chaos of overzealous partners and overworked associates.

“Every single deal I’ve worked on has been international.”

Of course, as a leading firm both on a national and global level, there is a little overlap when it comes to big ticket cross-border work: “We have local counsel all over the world with every deal,” one trainee told us, “every single deal I’ve worked on has been international.” The firm has 44 offices across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia, and its strengths are apparent across each of them.

Chambers UK acknowledges the firm in a huge number of practices, including top-tier nods in the likes of both debt and equity capital markets, construction: international arbitration, energy & natural resources, infrastructure, and projects. The firm also gets top honours for its equity capital markets work in Europe over at Chambers Global.

Training Contract Structure

Perhaps the most consistent draw to White & Case that we hear of is the firm’s guaranteed international secondment. “I think the opportunity is amazing,” one interviewee said of the stint abroad, “you get to expand your network on a global scale and experience different jurisdictions, so it’s a real draw!”

Insiders cautioned that “they recommend not getting too attached to one place,” but there was room for trainees to indicate why they wanted to do a particular secondment. It is worth noting though that international seats are based more on practice than location.

“…you get to expand your network on a global scale.”

Don’t go packing your bags yet though – trainees need to wait until their fourth seat before jet-setting. The allocation process for the remaining seats consists of ranking each department by preference. Sources told us that most people get one of their top three choices, but “they at least try to place you in your top five and give you the opportunity to see what you potentially have an interest in. At any rate, you won’t get something you absolutely hate.”

All contentious groups, private equity and M&A also have their own work allocation manager who meets with trainees every fortnight to assess capacity and allow them to express where their interests lie. Trainees are strongly encouraged to do a contentious seat – “but you can also do a two-week programme to tick that box” – and must do a stint in finance, which can include debt finance, capital markets, and EIPAF, among others.

Seat Experiences

Trainee Life

Just down the road from Bank Station, and nestled in between Threadneedle Street and Old Broad Street, White & Case’s office “is all us – the entire building belongs to White & Case.” Trainees were very complimentary of the firm’s interior (some of which is undergoing refurbishment), which includes a combination of open-plan workspaces and individual offices where trainees sit with their supervisors.

Those we spoke to were quick to highlight the firm’s coffee bar – “with a barista, all complimentary!” – on-site gym, and canteen. A number of newbies told us they “use and abuse the coffee on a daily basis,” and the office’s canteen, which provides “breakfast, lunch and dinner, all free – so you don’t need to go home and worry about cooking!”

The salary of £62k was healthy enough, but combined with the coffee, food, Deliveroo allowance, and wellbeing allowance of £500 “that can go towards things like gym classes, or even getting your hair done,it’s definitely enough for a comfortable lifestyle.”

“…breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all free – so you don’t need to go home and worry about cooking!”

Of course, at a firm of the calibre of White & Case, “you are working more hours, and you can get contacted at random times on a Saturday or when you feel you’ve finished for the day.” One interviewee added: “You do think about the hours when you’re sitting there towards midnight, but in the grand scheme of things you feel well compensated.”

Though it can be practice dependent, the firm policy is that trainees can work from home on Fridays. That being said, “at least half of us come in every day,” one explained, “because you pick up on things in the office, so it’s so much easier to understand what’s going on.”

“I was worried, given that White & Case is a massive name, but honestly, everyone has been down to earth,” one source reassured. Of course, “it is still a law firm, so people can be stressed or under time pressure,” but “even when things are stressful people are still human – 90% of the people are super friendly.”

Interviewees felt this was particularly true of the trainee cohort: “You create bonds with people by necessity – I was asked to do bundles when I started, so when another trainee started on them I helped them get to grips with it.” Beyond the lack of competition amongst trainees, insiders also praised the diversity of the intakes: “Looking at other trainees, there are so many languages being spoken, and people from so many different places,” one interviewee outlined, “so we’re all quite different in our backgrounds and cultures.” We heard that the firm makes an effort to ensure trainees can connect and network by putting on social events like the annual summer party and football world cup – “the offices play each other, I think it's in Munich this year!” – and team events, like the construction group’s trip to ABBA.

“If I have a question on Singapore law, for example, then I know someone in Singapore who can address my questions. The network will point me in the right direction!”

Supervision was also flagged as a real positive of life at the firm: “It’s interesting to have that range of experience. People in London are often qualified in more than one jurisdiction, so if you have a niche question, there is always someone you can go and speak to. If I have a question on Singapore law, for example, then I know someone in Singapore who can address my questions. The network will point me in the right direction!”

Trainees are also given a formal supervisor – typically and associate who they sit in an office with, to help get them assigned on matters and guide them through their seat. When starting out, supervisors will typically give trainees a task with a brief outline, ask them to have a go, and then follow up if they have any questions. In addition, “you get a two-week induction before starting proper work, to make you feel welcome and acclimatised.”

Of course, as you might expect, “the level of responsibility is high, but it’s also really good for my development.” Trainees are placed in induction classes on time keeping, writing and presentation skills, along with department-specific training, which focus on what a trainee needs to know in their seat. “They range from legal writing to common sense tips, like not rushing with later deadlines,” one source told us.

Qualification

The qualification process similarly varies by practice. While some have interviews or assessments, “some are entirely based on if they liked you and your performance reviews in the other departments, so the process is fairly relaxed.” When the time comes, trainees submit a small application form to the qualification seats sent round by Early Careers. The firm did not disclose its 2025 retention figures.