United States Legal Assistants
We seek people with formidable talents, and we encourage them to be both generous with their knowledge and forthright with their questions. Our open-door policy promotes candid communication among partners, associates, legal assistants and staff.
At White & Case, legal assistants are smart, motivated and dynamic members of a collaborative team in a variety of practice groups.
To succeed as a legal assistant you must have the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, work effectively with others, and exercise good judgment and high ethical standards. Candidates must have a four-year college degree with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 and relevant work experience. Foreign language skills are often needed for certain client matters.
About us
White & Case is a leading global law firm. Among the first US-based law firms to establish a truly global presence, we provide counsel and representation in virtually every area of law that affects cross-border business.
Be part of a truly global law firm that offers you support and guidance as you build your career and challenging international opportunities to keep you engaged.
FAQs
How many legal assistants work at White & Case?
More than 200 legal assistants worldwide; 54 of them work in New York.
How are legal assistants assigned to matters?
The legal assistants are assigned to practice groups. They receive their assignments from the legal assistant manager and directly from associates.
How does the Mentor Program work?
Depending on your practice area, you may have a lawyer mentor and/or a legal assistant mentor. New legal assistants have a legal assistant mentor as an additional resource. Mentors supplement the training and orientation and provide valuable insight to the culture of the Firm and share professional experiences.
How many legal assistants are you planning to hire?
That varies. We hire to replace people in specific positions. Depending on our current entry-level position vacancies, we look for candidates who want to spend at least two years with us and have the qualifications for the specific positions that become vacant. We also hire experienced legal assistants in certain practice areas if the need arises.
What do you need from me to apply?
We initially need your resume and a cover letter. We will ask for references, transcripts and writing samples later on in the process.
What kind of training is available?
You will have orientation and approximately eight weeks of live and taped sessions, providing you with many of the skills you will need to do your job.
Do most legal assistants go on to law school?
A good number go to law school, decide to work for one of our clients or go into other fields. We also have a number of career legal assistants at the Firm.
Do legal assistants come back to work at White & Case after law school?
Yes, we have several who were former legal assistants and have returned as summer associates and lawyers.
What do you look for in a candidate?
We look for at least a two-year commitment and a desire to learn and contribute to the Firm and our clients. We want candidates who have strong academic records, comparable employment and internship experiences; can demonstrate good technical, communication, writing and language skills; and have a strong work ethic.
How long does the interviewing process take?
Candidates should plan on a half-day of first round interviews and may be asked to return for additional interviews with lawyers and legal assistants. The process may take several weeks but we try to make decisions as soon as possible.
What are the average working hours?
It is hard to provide an average number of hours since it varies depending on workload. We ask people to be flexible, and sometimes that means working long hours to meet deadlines. It doesn’t happen all the time but it is an essential component of the job that lawyers and clients expect and appreciate.
What are the different kinds of career trajectories common for legal assistants at White & Case?
Our entry-level legal assistants are typically college graduates who want to learn about and work in the legal field. They may plan to go to law school or other graduate programs in a few years or may decide they want a career as a legal assistant. For those who would want to pursue the field as a career, we have developed a career track for legal assistants.
What specific skills/program knowledge do legal assistants gain from working at White & Case, and how are they beneficial to law school/legal career?
Litigation legal assistants have practical experience in how a case develops and how to manage the factual side of litigation matters, while corporate legal assistants learn about how a transaction is structured and the documentation that is involved. These experiences and the training we provide are invaluable to anyone pursuing a legal or business career.
How to apply
Are you ready? Here's how to join us.
We recruit talented people throughout the year, targeting entry-level candidates in early winter and spring. We also attend a variety of recruiting consortia and are linked to a number of academic websites.
Candidates are invited to interview at White & Case by a member of the legal assistant managerial team. Interviews are conducted to assess the level of commitment and interest in the legal assistant position and may involve several visits to the office. Candidates who are interviewed hear back from us within two weeks of the interview.
Please click here to submit a copy of your resume and cover letter.
It is our policy to offer equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of their race, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.
Career opportunities: Apply online