We are now two years into our journey towards our 2020 strategic goals.

How are we doing? We posted strong financial results for 2016, despite the challenges of Brexit and currency weakness in Europe. Our revenue was up 7%, and we outperformed most of our competitors.

This year is off to a good start, and at this pace we are on track to exceed $2 billion in annual revenue by 2020.

Growing the team

Our lawyer headcount is growing, and we expect to reach 2,200 lawyers by the end of the year, up from 2,000 in 2015. This is good progress toward our target of 2,600 lawyers by 2020.

Progress in New York

I’m also excited about the progress we’ve made in New York. Our lawyer headcount has increased by almost 20% to more than 400 lawyers. And as you know, we recently moved to new premises at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, in the Rockefeller Center complex.

The new office is open, light and modern, and has energized everyone. On a personal note, I’m enjoying my new space in an open office plan. Please come visit the office if you have the chance.

Recruiting for fit

This year we are focusing on making our recruiting more consistent and impactful, so we attract and retain the right kind of people who will fit with White & Case: people who want to be part of a global firm, and who want to take it to the top.

We’ve taken a deep look at how we recruit around the world, and we’ve also developed an employee value proposition (EVP), which is the deal we make with every person who works at White & Case. You will be hearing more about this in the coming months.

Smart pricing

Another area of focus is pricing and how we manage our inventory. Our aim is to have more consistent pricing and competitive rates, and to manage our services better, especially for fixed-fee matters.

While we need consistency, we also want to respect the differences of each market. Getting this right is the mark of a truly global, integrated firm.

Making a difference

Finally, our pro bono and social responsibility work keeps going from success to success.

Many of you are doing inspiring work and for that I commend and thank you.

One example dear to my heart is coming to completion – our project in the Kingdom of Bhutan to help create the country’s first law school.

We’ve been working on this project since 2008, and I’m delighted to report that the law school will be opening this July.

A larger journey

There is a lot going on everywhere I look in our Firm, and I’m confident we are on track to deliver our 2020 goals.

As I explained when we launched our strategy, this is all part of a larger journey to become the world’s first truly global law firm.

While our current geographic growth is focused on the US and London, we are not a US or UK firm: we are a true meritocracy made up of the best lawyers and business services professionals from all parts of the world, working together to serve our clients who make up the global economy.

We’ve always felt that we are more global than any other law firm, but becoming global is an ongoing process. Our Firm has transformed dramatically in the last few decades, and will need to change even more in the decades ahead.

There are many ways you can help the Firm along in this journey, but the most important is being the best you can be at what you do.

Thank you for all you’re doing to make the Firm successful, and please let me or any member of the Executive Committee know if you have any questions about our strategy.

Hugh