White & Case — a prestigious law firm that achieved an impressive gross revenue of $3,316,735,000 in 2024, securing the 9th position in the latest Am Law 100 rankings — made headlines earlier this week by implementing a mandatory four-day workweek for its attorneys. This elite firm has once again captured public attention following the news of losing one of its highest-paid lateral hires in its history, a move that highlights the current dynamics within the legal industry.
In January 2024, Taurie Zeitzer was offered a lucrative compensation package estimated between $15 million and $20 million to transition from Paul Weiss, where she held the significant position of co-head of the firm’s M&A group, to become the co-head of White & Case’s global private equity industry group. Upon her arrival, some partners expressed concerns regarding the high level of her compensation. However, just 16 months later, Zeitzer has decided to leave the firm to establish her own M&A advisory business, indicating a noteworthy shift in her career trajectory.
“We are witnessing a market landscape that is strikingly different from previous years, characterized by a myriad of unprecedented challenges,” Zeitzer remarked in a press release detailing her departure. “These complexities present fresh opportunities, such as rethinking how we collaborate with clients to create and implement innovative and effective solutions. This is the ideal moment for this new venture, and I am genuinely excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.”
Throughout her career, Zeitzer has successfully represented notable clients, including Searchlight Capital Partners, Gamut Capital, Cox Media, Shutterfly, ADT Corp., and BC Partners. According to The American Lawyer, additional insights reveal one of her most significant client relationships:
Taurie Zeitzer, recognized for her expertise in large-cap M&A transactions and her longstanding association with Apollo Global Management, was publicly acknowledged in seven M&A deals in 2023 (five of which involved Apollo). However, this number decreased to just one transaction in 2024.
It remains uncertain whether White & Case anticipated Zeitzer transferring work from Apollo or other clients to the firm.
A spokesperson for White & Case confirmed Zeitzer’s departure, extending their best wishes for her future endeavors. We wish Taurie Zeitzer the utmost success in her new business venture!
$15M M&A Lateral Departing White & Case After 16 Months to Launch New Advisory Firm [American Lawyer]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she has been contributing since 2011. She welcomes your insights, so please feel free to reach out via email with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. Connect with her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or find her on LinkedIn.
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