Meet Adam
Why did you decide on a career in law?
I enjoyed studying academic law at university and was attracted by the prospect of using my legal knowledge to solve real-world commercial problems. Law also seemed like a career that would continually challenge me in the long term, and one where I’d develop tangible, practical skills. Finally, I liked that a career in law would mean consistently engaging with varied subject matter – whether that be a new area of law or a new industry. Looking back, I’m glad to say that I made the right decision!
When did you join White & Case and what inspired you to apply?
I joined White & Case in March 2026 after completing the summer vacation scheme in 2023. It sounds like a cliché, but what really drew me to White & Case, and what the vacation scheme confirmed, was its genuinely global outlook. Since joining the firm, I haven’t worked on a single matter that had a purely UK angle. Every deal has had some sort of cross-border dimension, whether that’s coordinating with teams in other offices, navigating foreign law or advising clients on truly international transactions. This variety has been a big part of why I have been enjoying the training contract so much thus far.
What does a typical workday look like?
During my first seat in Private Equity, I was given the chance to assist with a range of tasks such as regularly marking up and helping to negotiate NDAs, having the first cut at drafting documents, assisting with signing and closing processes and carrying out research on case law in order to draft a research note. I was also able to manage workstreams and liaise with clients from the very start, which was a highlight of my seat.
What are your working hours like?
My working hours vary depending on a number of factors, including the time of the year, which stage live deals were in and client expectations. Having said that, I’d say I usually get into the office around 9:30am and usually leave at around 8–9pm. Some days can be much shorter, while others, especially around signings/closings, can run longer. The firm is generally quite good at recognising when you’ve had a particularly long stretch and giving you time to recuperate.
What is the single most important thing you have learned so far as a trainee?
Nobody is a superhero. What I mean is that everyone, at every level, is still learning, which is inevitable at a firm doing genuinely cutting-edge work. That realisation has made me far more comfortable asking questions and flagging issues early, safe in the knowledge that the firm's culture actively encourages me to do so.
What are your top tips for someone applying to White & Case?
My biggest tip would be to make your answer to "why White & Case" personal to you. It's easy to default to statements like "I want to join White & Case because of its cross-border work", but that tells the reader very little about who you are. Instead, think about what it is specifically about working at a genuinely international law firm that appeals to you, and explain that in your own words. The best applications allow the reader to come away with a sense of who the applicant is.
What's the best piece of work you've been involved in?
The best piece of work I've been involved in so far is the establishment of a €10.6 billion, 50/50 joint venture between EPH and TotalEnergies, which will operate and develop a leading flexible power generation portfolio across markets including Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and Ireland, and France. The deal involved lots of moving parts, and although my involvement was limited to the closing and post-closing stages, I was able to get involved with work that ranged from corporate approvals to helping to manage the completion deliverables. Contributing to a transaction of this scale and complexity at an early stage in my training contract was a particular highlight.
What makes White & Case a great place to work?
For me, it’s the people. Despite the scale and prestige of the firm, colleagues at every level are approachable, kind and good-humoured.
What do you enjoy about being a trainee solicitor and what are the challenges?
What I enjoy most is that I genuinely learn something new every day, whether that's a new area of law, a new industry, or just a better way of doing something I thought I already knew how to do. The flip side is that this can sometimes mean starting from scratch, which can be challenging. It requires a certain humility, accepting that you won't have the answer straight away, alongside a foundational confidence that, with time and effort, things do start to click into place. Learning to sit comfortably with that discomfort has probably been one of the more valuable parts of the training contract so far.
What do you think are the most important qualities you need to be a lawyer?
Patience, attention to detail, and critical thinking. Patience because those foundational skills take time to build and the road to building them isn’t always linear. Attention to detail because seemingly trivial differences can matter disproportionately. Finally, critical thinking because no two deals are exactly the same, especially at a firm like White & Case.
What advice can you give to other aspiring solicitors?
Try to get to know people for who they are, not just their professional selves – it’s a small thing, but it's what will make you stand out. Law is ultimately a people-driven industry and getting to know, and being genuinely curious about, those around you makes all the difference.
