October 2025: New York M&A partner Kathrin Schwesinger and Jennifer Rakstad (Senior Manager, Learning & Development, Americas) discuss our Momentum program. We listen in on their conversation to discover what makes this associate development program different and how this carefully designed initiative is helping the next generation of Firm leaders shine.
JR: Momentum is our professional skills curriculum. We have a standalone first-year development program, then all our associates—from second-year associates all the way to partner—participate in the Momentum program.
KS: Building Momentum has been informed by our Associate Empowerment Committee. They created roadmaps for the skills that associates at every level, and in each of our sections, need. That empowers associates to identify the experiences that they need to get, and that they can advocate for. On top of that, you also need training and learning opportunities that are closely linked to your practice area, not just the generic "associate" experience.
JR: Becoming a great lawyer has always been an apprenticeship: 70 percent is on-the-job learning; 20 percent is formal instruction and qualifications; and 10 percent is classroom learning. So, when we were looking at this new professional skills curriculum, it was really important that the 90 percent of learning that happens outside the classroom was closely linked to the 10 percent that happens in that setting.
KS: For our clients, our legal skills are just the baseline requirement. What matters to them is how we, as a Firm, make them feel protected, prioritized and understood. Momentum is how we empower our associates to be exceptional at what we do. It's a platform for them to get all that they need to shine.
JR: Every law firm offers associate development training. What sets Momentum apart is the fact that it's designed by our lawyers—partners and senior associates—and delivered by them in large part too (along with our Learning & Development professionals, of course). That means that our partners, across every practice, are very invested in its success. Learning from our people about how to succeed not only at your particular level, but within the context of our Firm and each of our practices, is really empowering for associates. It's know-how and insight that they can apply right away.
KS: I'm also passionate about modeling the experiences and the learning journey for all levels. We all learn from each other and pass it along. A senior associate who has been through the same program will understand the skills gaps that a third-year needs to acquire. And that third-year will know the sector-specific exposure that will really help a second-year deliver their best possible client work.
KS: More examples of that: At the fifth-year level, there's a module on how to identify your leadership style. That's really excellent preparation for senior associates preparing their business case to become partners. For third-years, there are sessions on "How to be a standout midlevel associate'." Sixth-years will get training on matter management and leadership as they prepare to step up.
JR: A novel feature of Momentum is the Summits. These are three-day intensive programs that happen away from the office, led by our lawyers and business service professionals. They're a chance to really focus on learning and growth for our third- and fifth-year cohorts. There's something very special about being away from your desk and your busy schedule, making time to focus on your own growth and connecting with your peers. The feedback has been extremely positive.
KS: The Summits are very practical and active. They're a real testament to the Firm's investment in our associates—the future leaders and custodians of White & Case. There's a real focus on building the skills and experiences that will help you succeed here. The partner and senior associate faculty draw on real matters to share know-how and best practices; the examples and knowledge shared is based on our own understanding of how we deliver excellent client service. They're sharing their own lived experiences of collaboration, our values in action, our way of working. All of which is immediately applicable to associates in their day-to-day roles.
JR: In between the classroom in-person sessions, Summits, virtual seminars and other facets of each associates' Momentum journey, we will also have regular check-ins with associates. They can provide feedback on the areas that they want to focus on or reflect on how they've applied their recently acquired insights and practical knowledge to their work. They can also work with a coach from our award-winning Coaching Office to further embed their learning. It's a truly holistic program, which we will continue to develop and build.
KS: We're already seeing the benefits of Momentum, particularly with regard to associates' self-knowledge: where they need to build their skills, and the specific work that they need to put their hand up for. It's transparent, accountable and purposeful.
Momentum has been shortlisted for the 2025 Financial Times Innovative Lawyer Award for Training and Development
