Sidley Austin LLP
One South Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60603
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 853-7000
Overview
Introduction
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2022)
2K - 2.5K
No. of Partners Named (2022)
42
Featured Rankings
Vault Law 100
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2021)
196
No. of Summer Associates (2022)
267 total (239 2Ls; 28 1Ls)
Base Salary
All Offices
Vault Verdict
Firm's Response
About the Firm
Associate Reviews
- “Sidley Austin has a very midwestern culture. Lawyers are friendly and collegial while remaining highly professional.”
- “Sidley's culture is surprisingly relaxed, especially for a New York office. Doors are generally open, and not just because of the open-plan design of Sidley's newly remodeled office. Most lawyers take advantage of the firm's flexible policies around working from home and taking time off. There are plenty of firm-sponsored social events, but this isn't a party firm—people generally have families and lives outside of work, and are very conscious about setting healthy work-life boundaries.”
- “Of course this has been different recently with COVID, but I find Sidley's social environment very enjoyable. People in the office are consistently kind and respectful towards one another and, in particular, tend to be very cognizant of the fact that we are all human beings with lives outside of work. Of course, the work is still significant (it is BigLaw, after all), but feeling as though there is space to honor the other aspects of my life as well is very good for my overall life outlook.”
- “Everyone treats staff with respect and gratitude. Younger associates tend to socialize after hours and firm sponsored events are well attended. Culturally I have found that attorneys are extremely intelligent but at the same time approachable and normal with families and activities outside of work.”
Why Work Here
Diversity at Sidley Austin LLP
"Sidley's comprehensive diversity and inclusion programming is thoughtfully designed to build our firm's diversity, strengthen our inclusive culture, and provide opportunities that enable diverse and women lawyers to succeed at Sidley and beyond. Talent Development Early Outreach Our pipeline programs begin as early as elementary school and continue through college with our award-winning Sidley Prelaw Scholars Program. A "first of its kind" among law firms, Sidley Scholars subsidizes LSAT preparatory courses..."
Getting Hired Here
- “Like most firms, Sidley cares about grades and clerkships. But personality is really key. It's important to everyone that new recruits fit the ‘midwestern-nice’ Sidley vibe.”
- “The firm's process is much like other firms—candidates should meet minimum educational background requirements. Beyond that, at least when I conduct interviews, I look for people whom I think will fit the firm's culture in terms of personality, collegiality, and intellectual curiosity.”
- “The firm typically hires smart, hard-working, and down-to-earth people."
Practice Area Q&A’s
Matt Bergs & Meghan Weinberg
Associate & Associate—Healthcare
Sidley Austin LLP
Matthew J. Dolan & Charlotte K. Newell
Partner & Associate—Securities and Shareholder Litigation
Sidley Austin LLP
James O’Connor
Partner—Capital Markets
Sidley Austin LLP
Emily Mallen
Partner
Sidley Austin LLP
Matthew C. Thompson
Partner
Sidley Austin LLP
