From Wall Street roots to global power, how a law firm shaped modern history
In short: Founded in 1901 by two lawyers with a modest investment, White & Case evolved into a global legal titan. From navigating international arbitration to representing controversial foreign regimes, the firm has occupied a central, often complex, position in the intersection of high-stakes finance, global politics, and evolving social justice.
The firm began on May 1, 1901, when Justin DuPratt White and George B. Case each contributed 250 dollars to launch their practice. Early success was bolstered by ties to influential figures like banker Henry P. Davison, helping the firm secure foundational clients such as Bankers Trust Company. Throughout the 20th century, the firm expanded aggressively; under chairman James Hurlock from 1980 to 2000, the roster of lawyers tripled, and the firm pushed into new international markets, including Vietnam in 1994.
White & Case has maintained a dominant presence in international arbitration, consistently ranking at the top of industry assessments between 2015 and 2021. Its influence extends into corporate strategy, notably through its 2020 push to become a hub for special-purpose acquisition companies. However, this growth has not been without friction. In 1981, the firm registered as a foreign agent for the Panamanian government under Manuel Noriega, a move that later complicated the 1989 mayoral campaign of Rudolph Giuliani, who had joined the firm that same year.
The firm’s modern identity is a blend of corporate prestige and pro bono advocacy. Since 2010, it has maintained a global practice focused on the rule of law and access to justice. This includes work like Dana Foster’s 2020 efforts to represent defendants convicted by non-unanimous juries—laws originally created in the 1880s—following their unconstitutionality ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. Yet, the firm faces contemporary scrutiny, including a 2026 legal challenge in Bronx County Court involving allegations of workplace misconduct and the mishandling of private imagery.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: White & Case
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