Law Firms
White & Case’s Reorganization Detailed
Posted Dec 2, 2008, 05:44 pm CST
By Molly McDonough
First there was news of massive layoffs, then a scaled back holiday party. But the real story at the international behemoth White & Case is its massive reorganization.
At the heart of the new structure is a power shift from the firm's 35 offices to 14 regional groups, reports the Am Law Daily.
The reorganization comes on the heels of a four-month review of firm operations by consultants McKinsey & Co.
"The day of the brick-and-mortar approach to building a global law firm is over," firm chairman Hugh Verrier told the Am Law Daily.
The blog reports that White & Case's far-flung offices have essentially operated as "individual fiefdoms" and change was necessary to manage the 2,500 lawyers spread across the globe.
McKinsey consultants interviewed 250 partners this spring and summer and examined the firm's books to come up with its recommendations. And partners then offered their own suggestions.
Here's the White & Case document (PDF) detailing the new structure and leadership.
In a nutshell, each lawyer at the firm will join one of the 14 regional groups and one or more practice groups, the heads of which will serve for one- or two-year terms.
Previously on ABAJournal.com:
What McKinsey Told White & Case
After 170 Layoffs, White & Case Pares Down $250K Holiday Party; No Fireworks
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Comments
Posted by Bob - 1 month, 5 days, 12 hours, 34 minutes ago
I bet in one year White and Chase will not exist.
Posted by Pookie Loco - 1 month, 3 days, 12 hours, 48 minutes ago
Bob, I assume you are referring to (1) White & Case and (2) JP Morgan Chase. I agree with you.
Posted by Bird Smack - 1 month, 3 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes ago
Pookie, I assume he is referring to White & Case instead of White & Chase.
Posted by d - 1 month, 3 days, 3 hours, 39 minutes ago
He, poor management at White and Case? say it ain’t so… If they are still here, this plan will change nothing. Structure matters little without capacity.