Key Insights
- Bates White is a top-tier boutique economic consulting firm specializing in antitrust, econometrics, and complex litigation, with a strong reputation for high-impact, data-driven case work.
- The firm offers early responsibility and direct exposure to senior leadership, with a flat structure that allows Consultants and Economists to work closely with Managers, Principals, and clients from day one.
- Bates White combines rigorous analytics with strong career outcomes, including competitive ~$110K starting salaries, a highly ranked internship program, and exit opportunities to top consulting firms, Big Tech, and corporate strategy roles.
If you’re targeting Bates White, you’re looking at one of the most respected boutique economic consulting firms in the market. The firm specializes in econometrics, statistics, and antitrust - work that sits at the intersection of data, law, and high-stakes strategy.
For candidates who enjoy rigorous analytics and real-world impact, Bates White offers a compelling value proposition. The firm - a 2026 Management Consulted Top Ranked Firm - has built strong momentum in recent years and continues to win complex, high-profile engagements.
Bates White Key Stats
- Bates White Website: www.bateswhite.com
- Bates White Headquarters: Washington, DC
- Bates White Employees: 365 Employees
- Bates White Locations: Washington, DC
- Bates White Chief Executive: Charles Mullin (Chairman)
- Bates White Revenue: $250M
- Bates White Engagement Cost: $200K
Bates White History
Bates White was founded in 1999 by Charles Bates and Halbert White with a clear mission: deliver rigorous, defensible economic analysis at the highest level.
Before founding Bates White, Partner Emeritus Charles Bates was the Vice President of A.T. Kearney and prior to his stint there, he was a partner at KPMG. He also played a key role in the landmark in re Vitamins Antitrust Litigation, one of the largest price-fixing cases in U.S. history. In addition, he has been called upon as an expert witness in governmental, legal, and public forums including the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Federal Bankruptcy Court, United States Tax Court, California Superior Court and arbitration hearings.
Halbert White, who passed away in 2012, was also a man at the top of his field. A Fellow of the Econometric Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he authored over 100 publications. One of his papers remains among the most cited in modern economic literature - a testament to his lasting impact on the field.
Today, Bates White is best known for its leadership in antitrust, while also maintaining strong capabilities in asbestos litigation, False Claims Act litigation, healthcare, energy, finance, and mass torts.
Bates White Careers
In case you hadn't figured it out by now, Bates White is a boutique economic consultancy firm headquartered at Washington, D.C., headed by Chairman & Partner Charlie Mullin. While Bates White’s name may not be as well known as some of the competitors in its field, that doesn’t stop it from snagging high-profile clients.
The team is highly academic:
- 100+ PhDs
- 100+ employees with master’s degrees
Consultants at Bates White focus on:
- Case strategy and development
- Advanced data analysis
- Expert report preparation
- Supporting litigation and regulatory investigations
If you want to apply economics in a real-world legal context, this is exactly the kind of work you’ll be doing.
Practice Areas
- Antitrust & Competition
- Energy
- Finance
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Mass Torts
Career Path
Bates White operates with a flat, apprenticeship-style structure. You’ll work directly with senior team members early - something candidates consistently value.
There are two primary tracks:
Consultant track (Bachelor's/Master's): Consultant > Consultant II > Senior Consultant > Manager > Principal > Partner
Economist track (PhD): Economist > Senior Economist > Manager > Principal > Partner
There are also opportunities in corporate functions like HR, finance, marketing, and IT.
Bates White Internships
The Bates White Summer Consultant Program is widely regarded as one of the top internships in economic consulting.
What you can expect:
- 10-week program for rising seniors
- Hands-on project work with real clients
- Direct exposure to PhD economists and senior staff
- Dedicated peer coach and sponsor
- Strong training and networking opportunities
This internship is ideal if you’re committed to economic consulting. If your goal is MBB strategy consulting, you will want broader brand exposure - but if you want depth in economics, Bates White is a top choice.
Exit Opportunities
Despite being a boutique, Bates White offers strong exits.
Common paths include:
- Other consulting firms (including eventual moves to MBB)
- Big Tech (Amazon, Google)
- Corporate strategy and analytics roles
The firm’s high-profile casework gives you strong experience and credible "storylines" for future recruiting.
Bates White Culture
At Bates White, culture is built around intellectual rigor, collaboration, and early responsibility. From day one, you’re treated as a core member of the team, not just a support resource. The firm hires people who enjoy solving complex problems and then gives them the environment to do exactly that.
As a Consultant, you’ll be staffed on client projects immediately. Your work will focus on analyzing data, conducting research, and building insights that directly influence case strategy. You won’t be siloed - expect regular interaction with Managers and Principals, which accelerates both your learning and your exposure.
Economists take on a more technical and leadership-oriented role. You’ll design analytical frameworks, develop econometric models, and break large problems into structured workstreams. Over time, you’ll supervise junior team members, interact with clients and expert witnesses, and play a key role in shaping arguments used in litigation.
What consistently stands out about Bates White is how collaborative the environment is. Despite the highly academic talent base, the culture is not competitive in a cutthroat way. Instead, teams work closely together to pressure-test ideas and produce high-quality outputs. You’re encouraged to speak up, challenge assumptions, and contribute regardless of tenure.
The firm also places a strong emphasis on professional growth and inclusion. You’ll find:
- A supportive, apprenticeship-style learning model
- Opportunities to apply academic training to real-world problems
- Active employee resource groups (e.g., Women, LGBTQ+, international staff)
- A dedicated Engagement, Inclusion & Diversity Council
- Regular networking, mentorship, and community initiatives
Work-life balance is reasonable by consulting standards, though not without peaks. A typical week averages around 45 hours, but deadlines and major cases can push hours higher. Importantly, the firm recognizes this and provides time off after intense periods, helping teams recharge.
Overall, Bates White offers a culture where analytical thinkers can thrive - combining challenging work, strong mentorship, and a genuinely team-oriented environment.
Compensation at Bates White is competitive with the top of the economic consulting market, but slightly lower than top strategy firms.
Bates White Core Values
- Deliver exceptional service to our clients
- Produce analysis with integrity and intellectual rigor
- Forge long-term client relationships
- Invest in and empower our people
- Respect our people and trust their judgment
- Collaborate with one another
- Maintain an entrepreneurial spirit
- Share risks and rewards
- Value collegiality and diverse contributions
Bates White Interviews & Recruiting
The Bates White interview process is known for being rigorous, detail-oriented, and highly analytical. If you’re applying, expect interviewers to test both your technical thinking and your ability to clearly communicate complex ideas. Preparation here is less about memorization and more about demonstrating structured reasoning.
The recruiting timeline typically spans 1 to 3 months, depending on the role and hiring cycle. Candidates from target schools often engage through campus recruiting, info sessions, and networking events, but experienced hires follow a similar evaluation process.
For Consultant roles, the process generally includes:
- First Round (virtual):
- ~45 minutes total
- ~30 minutes interviewer-led case
- Remaining time focused on behavioral questions
- Final Round (in Washington, DC):
- 2 behavioral interviews
- 1 case interview
- More in-depth discussion of your background and experiences
PhD candidates interviewing for Economist roles should expect a more technical version of this process, with deeper dives into econometrics, research experience, and applied problem-solving.
One defining feature of Bates White interviews is how closely they scrutinize your background. Interviewers often go line-by-line through your resume, asking detailed questions about:
- Coursework and academic performance
- Research experience
- Internships and leadership roles
- Decisions you’ve made along the way
You should be ready to explain not just what you did, but why you did it and what you learned. Candidates frequently report needing a near "perfect recall" of their own experiences.
Case interviews at Bates White tend to be interviewer-led and analytically focused. Rather than broad business strategy, expect questions rooted in:
- Data interpretation
- Economic intuition
- Logical structuring of ambiguous problems
To prepare effectively:
- Practice economics-focused, interviewer-led cases with a focus on clarity and structure (our Case Library includes many practice cases that fit this style)
- Review core statistics and economics concepts
- Be ready to walk through your resume in detail
- Develop clear, concise stories for behavioral questions
Networking can also play a meaningful role. Bates White regularly hosts info sessions and career fairs, and the firm is accessible to candidates who take initiative. Reaching out to current employees - especially alumni from your school - can help you better understand the role and strengthen your candidacy.
Overall, success in the Bates White interview process comes down to preparation, attention to detail, and the ability to problem-solve under pressure.
To learn about the firm's campus hiring schedule, please click here.
Target Schools
Bates White hires broadly but maintains strong pipelines from top universities, including:
- Duke, Northwestern, Princeton, Stanford
- University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia
- Georgetown, GWU, American University
- UC Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan
- Carnegie Mellon, Brandeis, Boston University
- And many other top liberal arts and research institutions
Bates White Salary
At the entry-level, a Bates White base salary is about $110,000. For more intel on the latest Bates White salaries, check out our Consulting Salary Report, which includes data on hundreds of additional firms.
Bates White FAQs
What does Bates White do?
Bates White is an economic consulting firm that specializes in antitrust, econometrics, and complex litigation, providing data-driven analysis and expert testimony for legal and regulatory cases.
Is Bates White a good firm to work for?
Yes - Bates White is known for its rigorous analytical work, collaborative culture, early responsibility, and strong career development, especially for candidates interested in economics-focused consulting.
What is the starting salary at Bates White?
The Bates White starting salary for entry-level Consultants is approximately $110,000, which is competitive with top consulting firms.
What is the Bates White interview process like?
The process includes a first-round interview with an interviewer-led case and a final round with behavioral and case interviews, with a strong emphasis on technical thinking and detailed resume review.
What are exit opportunities from Bates White?
Common exits include other consulting firms (including MBB), Big Tech companies like Amazon and Google, and corporate strategy or analytics roles.
Conclusion
Bates White is an excellent fit for candidates who want to apply economics in high-stakes, real-world contexts. The firm’s strength in antitrust and litigation, combined with a collaborative and intellectually rigorous culture, makes it stand out in the economic consulting space.
If you’re excited by data, modeling, and solving complex legal-economic problems, Bates White should be high on your target list.