Together we make a mark
Student opportunities and graduate careers in Australia
Our Firm
6
continents
31
countries
45
offices
14
global practices
8
global industry groups
2,000 +
lawyers
110
nationalities
87
Languages spoken
US$2.18 B
revenue
Top
ranked for diversity
Being truly global is not just a buzzword at White & Case. Associates have the opportunity to work with clients and colleagues from around the world on a daily basis.
Click here for a text-only version of this brochure
Our Firm in Asia-Pacific
9
OFFICES
190+
lawyers
60+
partners
Tier 1
Banking & Finance and Private Equity
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021
Project Development and Project Finance
The Legal 500
International
secondment opportunities
“The training is excellent; juniors get a lot of responsibility; the Firm has a supportive culture; and there are numerous opportunities to be challenged and to grow.”
Chenez Dyer Bray, Melbourne Associate
Mainland China
Beijing and Shanghai
4 partners | 1 local partner
13 associates
Practice areas
- Corporate/M&A
- Debt Finance
- White Collar
Hong Kong SAR
Hong Kong SAR
13 partners | 3 local partners
5 counsel | 33 associates
Practice areas
- Capital Markets
- Corporate/M&A and Private Equity
- Debt Finance, Financial Restructuring and Insolvency
- Disputes
- Investment Funds
Indonesia
Jakarta
2 partners | 1 counsel
6 associates
Practice areas
- Capital/Markets
- Corporate M&A
- Debt Finance
Australia
Melbourne and Sydney
18 partners | 1 local partner
8 counsel | 58 associates
Practice areas
- Corporate/M&A
- Disputes
- Project Delivery and Project Finance
- Property, Environment & Planning
- Tax
South Korea
Seoul
2 partners | 1 local partner
1 counsel | 3 associates
Practice areas
- Corporate/M&A
- Project Finance
Singapore
Singapore
11 partners | 2 local partner
1 counsel | 26 associates
Practice areas
- Capital Markets
- Corporate/M&A
- Debt Finance
- International Arbitration
- Project Delivery and Project Finance
Japan
Tokyo
12 partners | 3 local partners
4 counsel | 23 associates
Practice areas
- Corporate/M&A
- Debt Finance
- Project and Asset Finance
Our work
Why join us in Australia?
We are a truly global firm, with an international network that sets us apart from other Australian firms. As an associate, this means that you will work on teams across multiple jurisdictions and countries. You’ll also be joining a fast-expanding firm with an ambitious growth strategy.
White & Case in Australia
Our teams in Melbourne and Sydney work with clients in every state of Australia across the Asia-Pacific region and internationally; across the energy, infrastructure and mining & metals sectors; and on high-profile public market and private equity M&A transactions.
What we do
We offer clients legal services throughout the full life cycle of their projects, including environment & planning, project structuring, project development, project finance, corporate advice, M&A, litigation and arbitration.
In Australia, we are ranked Tier 1 by The Legal 500 for Project Development and Project Finance, and in the wider Asia-Pacific region; and ranked 1st by deal value for Asia Pacific Infrastructure Finance by IJGlobal in their 2019 League Tables.
White & Case LLP careers: Working in Australia
What type of work do our associates do?
Discover our practices in Australia
A day in the life…
Melbourne associate Nicolette Tan recalls a typical day working in our Project Delivery and Disputes Team.
8:45 a.m. I like getting started earlier so that I can check my emails, get organised and figure out my rough “to-do list” for the day.
9:15 a.m. The Project Delivery team focuses on construction law and the delivery of a range of projects, from infrastructure to renewable energy projects. I’m working on a due diligence report which will help potential financiers to decide whether they want to lend money to build the project.
11:00 a.m. I attend the gender-balance committee meeting to discuss the status of our various mentoring programs and the recent events for International Women’s Day.
12:30 p.m. I often try to get out of the office for a bit of fresh air and to catch up with friends. We also regularly have training sessions run over lunchtime, which are broadcast live to all of our offices around Asia.
1:30 p.m. I proofread and send off my section of a due diligence report for review, before turning to a finance document. I prepare a draft for sign-off from the partner I’m working with, then send it out to our clients for them to provide comments.
3:00 p.m. Time for some pro bono work. Today, I’m doing some research to help a Victorian homeowner with a building dispute.
6:30 p.m. After finishing my work for the day, I sort my emails into folders and work on finalising my time entries. Before leaving, I check in to see if anyone needs my help with anything else for the day.
Active global citizens
Pro bono
Pro bono work is the cornerstone of our initiative, and 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 our Melbourne or Sydney offices, 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 Melbourne and Sydney pro bono matters include:
- Advising on the formation of The ELLA Foundation Pty Ltd, which is an organisation that creates pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children into competitive dance
- Participating in Justice Connect’s Domestic Building Legal Service clinics to assist low-income earners in resolving building disputes, including representing clients at mediation in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Assisting PonyUp For Good Pty Ltd, a social enterprise that offers e-waste services to businesses, with recertifying as a social enterprise and amending its governing documents, specifically, the constitution and shareholder agreement
Reconciliation Action Plan
In 2020, White & Case also adopted its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). While we are a relative newcomer to Australia, we recognise the importance of reconciliation to our Firm and to Australia’s future as a nation. With this RAP, we commit to enhancing our understanding of the antiquity, diversity and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the vital contributions they make to contemporary Australian society, and the challenges and barriers that can prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from achieving their full potential.
Read more about our RAP here.
Our people & culture
We have a diverse, enriching and enjoyable work culture. Around the world, our lawyers represent 110 nationalities and speak 87 languages. We have an open-door, collaborative culture that fosters strong internal working relationships across our offices worldwide.
Our lawyers have a fulfilling personal and professional experience at the Firm. Our affinity networks and initiatives for women offer members, including allies, the opportunity to support and mentor each other and also focus on career development. We are proud to consistently achieve top national and international rankings in diversity surveys.
Our commitment to diversity
We are a truly global law firm, with people of diverse backgrounds working in 45 offices located in 31 countries around the world.
We work to strike a balance between understanding and respecting our many cultures and developing a single, strong core value system throughout the Firm.
We believe that inclusion means a collaborative, supportive and respectful workplace that increases the participation and contribution of all employees.
We strive to create an environment in which everyone can bring their authentic and full selves to work and thrive, where people feel accepted for who they are and experience a sense of belonging.
White & Case consistently ranks among the very best firms worldwide for diversity and inclusion.
Read more about how we are taking action to increase diversity at the Firm here.
Our affinity networks
Joining a network means being part of a global team dedicated to raising awareness of challenges, issues and experiences. It’s also a way to contribute to building a wider community that is supportive and strong.
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.
Advice to my younger self: Tim Power
Tim Power is an environmental and planning partner in our Melbourne office.
Building from the ground up brings advantages
Because we’re a young and growing Firm in Australia, we are also building our own culture. There’s no sense of having to break with tradition or protocol, although we do feel connected to the wider White & Case culture too.
Our job is to solve problems
When I give an associate a task, I want them to come back to me with an answer. It might not be the right answer, but I want to see that they have really thought about and really analysed the problem. Put your mind to it and keep moving towards a solution.
You learn most when the challenge is greatest
As a young associate, I was asked to do a civil trial with just four days’ notice. The opposing counsel was highly experienced. It was terrifying but also a massive learning curve; I very quickly got up-to-speed on presenting evidence, constructing arguments and negotiations.
Championing gender diversity is important
Gender diversity is something that I feel particularly strongly about. At White & Case, there are the supports in place—formal programs, sponsorships, flexible working, etc.—to help women progress. Most importantly, there’s a real will and energy to make it happen.
“You learn most when the challenge is greatest”
Tim Power, Partner
What we offer
You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and you want to choose the right firm to launch your career. That’s why we offer the opportunity to connect with us at various law student events, a virtual learning program and vacation clerkships—so you can find out if White & Case is the right fit for you. Once you’ve gotten to know the Firm, you can apply for our 18-month Graduate Program in either our Sydney or Melbourne office.
Vacation clerkships
A vacation clerkship is a great way to experience first-hand what life is like as a White & Case graduate. You will work in practice areas of interest to you and work side-by-side with partners and associates.
As a part of our four-week vacation clerkship in either our Melbourne or Sydney office, you will be welcomed into our team and do real work with real deadlines for real clients.
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.
- Get to know our Firm, and our practice areas in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific
- Discover our Graduate Program, including overseas seats
- Get support and feedback through your allocated supervisor Mentor and Buddy
- Join in social events and informal learning sessions
Vacation clerkship
2021 – 2022
We offer a summer and winter vacation clerkship in our Melbourne office and a winter clerkship in our Sydney office.The majority of our graduates get to know the Firm through our vacation clerkship process in Melbourne or Sydney, so we highly recommended that you apply for a clerkship in order to be considered for a graduate position.
Who can apply?
Law students studying in Australia looking to start as graduates in 2023 or 2024.
When can I apply?
Sydney Winter Vacation Clerkship 2021 application period is now closed. Melbourne Vacation Clerkship applications will be open from 1 July – 8 August 2021.
For more details on the application process and dates, please click here.
The White & Case Australian Graduate Program
Join a diverse group of globally minded graduates for our 18-month program. Expect to take on real responsibility, continuous learning and development, and feel supported at every stage.
Our Graduate Program offers three rotations and you’ll be in the driving seat when it comes to your career. Almost all our work is cross-border, so we need mobile lawyers with international experience, outlook and networks. With this in mind, we offer a high level of mobility throughout the program, domestically across Melbourne and Sydney, as well as our Asia-Pacific offices.
Support and development at every step
- An assigned Supervisor, Mentor and a Buddy for each rotation
- Compulsory and elective modules of the Practice Legal Training provided by the College of Law
- In-house training, specialist seminars and workshops
- Meet new colleagues from other teams and start building a network of contacts within the Firm
60 seconds with Lauren Evans, our
Asia-Pacific Recruitment Manager
Lauren Evans, our Asia-Pacific (APAC) Recruitment Manager, explains why future lawyers should choose White & Case to start their career.
“We are a fast-growing Firm, both in Australia and Hong Kong, and across the wider Asian market too,” says Lauren. So how do junior lawyers experience the global nature of the Firm? “Graduates here can be allocated work from one of our other offices around the world. That sort of exposure and international collaboration is a great learning opportunity for junior lawyers.”
Lauren explains that, “Our clients’ business often spans Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore—China, Japan and Korea too—and so do our teams.” For that reason, mobility is important for White & Case lawyers. “Whether it’s for six weeks or a few years, you are encouraged to take up international opportunities when they arise in order to better serve our global clients. There is a lot of movement between our Asian offices in particular.”
The application process in Australia
“We typically take applications for our vacation schemes through our website, where candidates will need to answer some short questions and upload their CV, cover letter and transcript. We then ask candidates to complete an online assessment and video interview. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a final interview with our partners.”
A strong mix of formal and informal training, mentorship and more
“Formal training includes Practice Legal Training provided by the College of Law during your induction and over the course of your program. We also run in-house training, specialist seminars and workshops for graduates, which you are encouraged to attend. Our graduates can also sign up for our Asia-Pacific mentoring program that connects graduates and junior associates to senior associates across different offices.
Women at White & Case Mentoring Program
The Women at White & Case Mentoring Program encourages students to engage in frank and open discussions with our senior female lawyers. This is your chance to discuss career aspirations, progression and the challenges facing women in the legal profession.
Find out more here, including dates and how to apply for the 2021 program.
“It was invaluable to be able to have candid and real conversations about my career and studies, and to have the support of someone who worked in law and had a wealth of experience to share.”
Lyn Nguyen
Join us
Ready to apply?
You can find out about each stage of the application process on the White & Case Australia website.
The majority of our graduates get to know the Firm through our vacation clerkship process in Melbourne and Sydney, so we highly recommended that you apply for a clerkship in order to be considered for a graduate position.
We understand that every candidate is different, and if you require any additional support throughout our process and program, then please do not hesitate to speak with us.
To contact the Recruitment team, please email graduaterecruitment.apac@whitecase.com or call (03) 8486 8000.
What do our recruiters look for when interviewing candidates?
What does it take to be successful at White & Case?
Connect with us
Inside White & Case
Discover White & Case through the eyes of our people. Read more about life at the Firm and our work here.
Virtual Learning Program
Enroll in one of our virtual learning experience programs and discover more about a day in the life of a White & Case lawyer. Develop your industry skills and build your knowledge as you learn about the types of work you will do on the job as a lawyer in Big Law. Get started here!
Careers website
Learn more about the Firm and our Asia-Pacific student and graduate opportunities here.
