Future Me Series - all the way to partnership

The Black Men in Law Network, together with global law firm White & Case LLP invite all black men to the first event in the "Future Me Series" on Friday 5th October 2018.

Attendees will be provided with the opportunity to learn about a truly global law firm and what it really takes to work for some of the world's biggest corporations across multiple jurisdictions.

A large focus of the BML Network is to provide young black males with an insight into the workings of law firms and the steps to take to secure an illustrious training contract.

Phase 1 of the event is dedicated to achieving just that. Students and graduates will be armed with the tools and knowledge needed to convert an application into an offer. During Phase 2 students and graduates alongside those currently in the legal profession will hear from a stellar panel of current White & Case employees.

The Black Men in Law Network (the "BML Network")

The BML Network exist to support Black men and women in the legal profession. The group aims to inspire the next generation of Black male lawyers and to provide support to those working in the Law as well as to facilitate networking, reverse mentoring as well as lateral and traditional upwards mentoring.

The BML Network was founded in March 2018 by John Oladeji (Associate at Osborne Clarke LLP) and Isaac Eloi (Trainee Solicitor at Freeths LLP).

Since its inception the BML Network has provided its members and supporters with the opportunity to gain an insight into life at the bar ("An Audience with Matthew Ryder QC") and the experiences of those in private practice ("Summer Sizzler at Hakkansan" and "the Launch Event").

By bringing together a collective of inspirational lawyers, the BML Network hopes to inspire the younger generation of black male lawyers to continue to break down the barriers that exist in a traditional profession.

White & Case LLP

The Firm

White & Case is a global law firm with nearly 2,200 lawyers worldwide. We’ve built an enviable network of 44 offices in 30 countries. That investment is the foundation for our client work in 165 countries today. Complex client projects, nuanced local market knowledge and global capabilities define who we are. Many White & Case clients are multinational organisations with complex needs that require the involvement of multiple offices. As part of our training contract, we offer every trainee a guaranteed six-month overseas seat.

The Work

As a White & Case lawyer, you’ll work on fast-paced cutting-edge cross-border projects from the outset of your career. In London, our key areas of work include: bank finance (including regulatory compliance); financial restructuring and insolvency; capital markets (high yield and securitisation); dispute resolution (including antitrust, commercial litigation, intellectual property, international arbitration, trade, white collar and construction and engineering); energy, infrastructure, project and asset finance (EIPAF); corporate (including M&A, private equity, employment, compensation and benefits, investment funds, real estate and tax).

The Training Programme

White & Case is looking to recruit ambitious trainees who have a desire to gain hands-on practical experience from day one and a willingness to take charge of their own career. We value globally-minded citizens of the world who are eager to work across borders and cultures, and who are intrigued by solving problems within multiple legal systems. They should have an understanding of international commercial issues and an interest in working on big-ticket, cross-border work. We recruit both law and non-law students and owing to the nature of our work, language skills are of interest. Applicants will be welcomed for their individuality, their ability to contribute to the cutting-edge work we do and the energy with which they approach the job at hand. They should have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a solid 2:1, have a positive and friendly attitude, be enthusiastic and work well in teams.

The training contract consists of four six-month seats, one of which is guaranteed to be spent in one of our overseas offices, including Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Dubai, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, Moscow, New York, Paris, Prague, Singapore, Stockholm, and Tokyo. The remaining three seats can be spent in any one of the Firm’s practice groups in London. Receiving a high level of partner and senior associate contact from day one, our trainees can be confident that they will receive high-quality, stimulating and rewarding work. Trainees work in small, focused teams, so their colleagues trust them to perform tasks accurately and efficiently. White & Case is a “high-stretch, high-support” workplace that celebrates individual excellence and team success. We actively encourage our trainees to take early responsibility, and there is a strong emphasis on practical training, with plenty of support and feedback. Alongside the training contract, our trainees are encouraged to get involved in all aspects of our globally-renowned pro bono programme, often working directly with clients and even managing small matters. White & Case recruits and develops trainee solicitors with the aim of retaining them on qualification.

Timings

Phase 1 - Students and graduates (Open day)

15:00 Arrivals & Registration

15:30 Overview of White & Case & Q&A

15:45 Application Tips & Guidance

16.30 Interviewing Tips & Guidance

17.00 Dispel or Confirm – Myths Associated with Being a Trainee Solicitor

17.45 Break

Phase 2 - Experienced hires

18.00 Talk by Joshua Siaw (Partner in the Global Banking Practice and Director of the Firm's Africa practice)

18:30 Panel Discussion - Joshua Siaw (Partner); Gabriel Onagoruwa (Associate); and Deji Adegoke (Associate)

19.30 Wrap-up & Final Questions

19.45 Networking & Drinks

NB: Students and graduates are welcomed and encourgaed to remain for phase 2. Please only select "General Admission - Phase 2" if you are a future trainee/pupil and above.

Future Me Series - All The Way To Partnership