For White & Case, 2010 began with a global meeting of our partners—a time to reconnect with each other and set our goals for the future together.

In a year of enduring global economic downturn, I am pleased that we were able to accomplish so many of our goals—for our clients, for our community and for our Firm.

In April, we won a landmark US Supreme Court victory for our client Stolt-Nielsen, with far-reaching implications for class arbitration in the United States.

Led out of London, lawyers in our Brussels, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Moscow offices advised on the construction and financing of the Nord Stream offshore gas pipeline, linking Russia and the European Union.

In 2010, we strengthened our efforts to support our alumni community, through a series of events, an alumni website and a global newsletter. We held our annual soccer and volleyball World Cup in Antalya, Turkey, bringing together more than 300 people from our offices around the world. We also added a record number of new partners in 23 of our offices this year.

In November, the Financial Times recognized our market-leading work in restructuring, litigation, M&A and financial services in both its European and US "Innovative Lawyers" reports. Our pro bono work was commended as "standout," due in large part to our efforts that supported the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

As we look to the future, it is clear that our clients' needs require that we focus on efficiency and tailor our services to their needs. We will continue to work closely with our clients around the world to help them achieve their goals.

In an ever-changing world, we keep an eye on our goal: to deliver the best of the Firm to our clients, to our people and to our community. I am confident that with greater integration we are building a truly global law firm.