November 2024: What's it like to work at a global law firm if you're not a lawyer? White & Case's Tampa Service Center is home to business professionals ranging from data scientists to finance professionals and IT technicians. Selma Ducey (Senior Conflicts Analyst) Holly Fintel (Senior Attorney, New Business), Mimcy Mejia (Senior Manager, Product Support & Services) tell us about their diverse roles, the workplace culture and the social side of life at White & Case in Tampa.
Our Business Professionals work as an integral part of our Firm alongside our lawyers. Tell us about your work?
Selma Ducey: My role involves processing requests for conflict searches and providing full research on the potential new work coming in, with a dedicated focus on analytical aspects. Additionally, I provide conflict analysis and secure the necessary clearances and approvals for the partners.
Holly Fintel: I primarily focus on addressing professional ethics conflicts and compliance issues related to conflict clearances, lateral clearances, and outside counsel guidelines. I collaborate with Office of the General Counsel Ethics Committee Members, as well as other members of the conflicts team and lawyers/partners worldwide.
Mimcy Mejia: My team is dedicated to developing and supporting technology solutions and services that enhance how our lawyers work. Our goal is to enable them to focus on their legal practice and providing excellent service to our clients.
Non-lawyers may not know what to expect about working in a law firm. What's most interesting, or unexpected about your day-to-day role?
“It’s incredibly rewarding to create something that directly impacts the Firm’s operations”
HF: I'd say that it's working with legal scholars across the globe on various industries and jurisdictional rules. The most challenging part of what I do is educating partners, associates and practice assistants on the various rules and how those apply to their matters.
MM: One of the most interesting parts of working at White & Case is the global exposure. Collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders from different regions brings a wide range of perspectives and approaches, making the work dynamic and engaging. A personal highlight for me has been building teams and services from the ground up. It's incredibly rewarding to create something that directly impacts the Firm's operations.
SD: Each day brings something new; it's never repetitive work. As a law firm with a presence around the globe, I get to engage with work from Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, which is truly amazing. However, this also presents challenges, such as making sure you are aware of the different conflict rules for all jurisdictions across the world and knowing when to apply them.
Outside of your own work, tell us about the aspects of working at White & Case that you find most rewarding and fulfilling?
“The resources we have as a Firm are phenomenal”
SD: We work with a lot of non-profit organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, where we have built homes for families.
HF: I consistently benefit from the Firm's incredible training seminars, which cover a range of topics from mental health to meeting career goals. The resources we have as a Firm are phenomenal.
MM: I relocated from Manila to Tampa, and connecting with a few close colleagues has really helped me settle in. I've enjoyed meeting a diverse range of people, both within the Firm and in the community.
What's the Tampa office like? Tell us about your working environment.
HF: Our Tampa office is spectacular, featuring state of the art facilities: a modern open design that creates a collaborative work environment with easy access to one of Tampa's most desirable downtown locations, Armature Works.
The social side is great too. We had an office -wide outing to the activity center "Main Event", where the entire Tampa team went bowling, played laser tag, went on zip lines and shared a meal together.
SD: We're fortunate to be in the most perfect location. We have Armature Works within walking distance, where you can enjoy good food or go after work to gather with colleagues. We also are right next to the Tampa Riverwalk, which I use when I want to get some exercise in on my break.
What sets White & Case apart, as an employer?
“Exposure to our international operations helps build highly sought-after skills”
MM: White & Case provides valuable experience in a global organization. Exposure to our international operations helps build highly sought-after skills, and the Firm offers great benefits to support both personal and professional development. While the work can be demanding, it builds resilience and lays a strong foundation for a successful career.
HF: White & Case is truly an exemplary Firm, not only because it houses some of the most renowned legal minds, but also its ingenuity in cutting-edge systems/processes, and global camaraderie. It continues to amaze me that on any given day, I may interact with partners and colleagues in a dozen different counties, time zones and industry specialties, and yet still feel as one collective team. It fulfils a sense of accomplishment at the end of a workday!
