White & Case — a firm that brought in $3,316,735,000 gross revenue in 2024, putting it at No. 9 in the most recent Am Law 100 — made news earlier this week after announcing that it was mandating four office days for attorneys each week. The elite firm is now back in the news after losing one of its most expensive lateral hires in history.
In January 2024, Taurie Zeitzer received a compensation package ranging from $15 to $20 million to leave Paul Weiss, where she served as co-head of the firm’s M&A group, to become co-head of White & Case’s global private equity industry group. When she entered the firm, partners reportedly thought that her compensation was too high. Just 16 months later, Zeitzer is leaving to launch her own M&A advisory firm.
“We are seeing an entirely different market than in recent years with a wide variety of unprecedented situations,” Zeitzer said in a press release announcing her move. “These complexities create new opportunities, such as redefining how to partner with clients to develop and implement creative and effective solutions. It’s the right moment for this product, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
In the past, Zeitzer has represented Searchlight Capital Partners, Gamut Capital, Cox Media, Shutterfly, ADT Corp., and BC Partners. The American Lawyer has additional details on one of her most notable client relationships:
Zeitzer, known for large-cap M&A deals and her relationship with Apollo Global Management, was publicly identified in seven M&A transactions in 2023 (including five for Apollo). That number dropped to a single transaction in 2024.
It is unclear whether White & Case expected Zeitzer to move work from Apollo or other clients over to the firm.
A White & Case spokesperson confirmed Zeitzer’s departure and wished her well. Best of luck to Taurie Zeitzer on her new business venture!
$15M M&A Lateral Leaves White & Case After 16 Months to Start New Firm [American Lawyer]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
