White & Case history

In 1903, White & Case helps Harry Davison form Bankers Trust Company.

According to Hubbell's Legal Directory, the firm consisted of five lawyers in 1913.

1926: A Paris branch office is opened.

Spanish Civil War begins, ending in 1939.

White & Case celebrates its 50th anniversary on May 1, 1951 at a black-tie event at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.

White & Case partner Irving Olds becomes chairman and CEO of United States Steel, serving until 1952.

Korean War begins, ending in 1953.

European Economic Community (Common Market) is formed under Treaty of Rome signed in 1957.

1960: The Paris office commences operations again after being shuttered during World War II.

In September 1968 White & Case accepted National Student Marketing (NSM) Corporation as a new client.

White & Case gave a new partner, Marion Jay Epley III, responsibility for NSM in 1969.

1971: The firm's London office is opened.

In 1972 the United States Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against Epley, White & Case, and other defendants for fraud and deceptions in their SEC acquisition filings.

1974: The Washington, D.C. office is opened.

Vietnam War begins, ending in 1975.

In 1976, the Legal Aid Society of New York establishes The Orison S. Marden Award, in honor of Marden’s commitment to legal aid.

SEC files a complaint against the Firm and others alleging they aided and abetted a securities fraud in connection with a merger by the Firm’s client, National Student Marketing, a matter that was settled out of court in 1977.

1978: The Hong Kong office is established.

In 1980, after Carter failed to gain the release of the American hostages through military force, 12 law firms representing 12 large American banks began negotiations of their own with Iranian government officials and the German lawyers representing Iranian banks.

In early 1981 the firm reported having no African Americans among its attorneys but that summer hired its first, two black female associates.

Under his leadership, the Firm undertakes a globalization strategy and, in 1983, White & Case opens an office in Stockholm.

In 1989, White & Case hired a new partner, United States Attorney from Manhattan Rudy Guliani.

UK Law Society adopts rules implementing provisions of UK Courts and Legal Services Act (1990) that permit UK solicitors to become partners with non-UK lawyers.

1998: White & Case helps facilitate the deal in which Bankers Trust is sold to Deutsche Bank AG.

In 1999, for example, White & Case opened its Palo Alto office to better serve Silicon Valley clients. It also strengthened its IP capabilities in London, where it became 'the first full service US law firm to recruit an entire IP department staffed by English-law qualified practitioners,' according to the September 1999 issue of Managing Intellectual Property.

Duane Wall is nominated and elected managing partner, effective April 1, 2000.