Unique selling points
- Known for developing long-term relationships with clients, for example General Electric (which it has represented for over 100 years). The firm's dedication to understanding client needs is also showcased by its long-standing representation of Boeing.
- History of handling high-profile, complex legal matters, such as representing Apple in its patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung, which resulted in a $539 million verdict in favour of Apple.
- Awarded the 2021 "Gold Standard Certification" by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum for its commitment to gender diversity, with further diversity initiatives including its "1L Diversity Mentorship Program," which pairs diverse law students with Sidley Austin attorneys for mentorship. The firm has also developed monthly data-analytics diversity trackers to ensure that it is meeting its targets for hiring, promotion and attrition.
- Longstanding tradition of pro bono work, with a range of projects designed to help vulnerable groups access legal advice and support.
- Committed to remaining at the forefront of innovation. For example, the firm has launched the AI Monitor which provides updates on developments in the AI industry and in 2022, the firm was a finalist in a variety of categories at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards, and secured wins in the Innovation in Dispute Resolution and Innovation in Equity and Racial Justice categories.
We cover these selling points in more detail below, alongside other relevant firm facts and characteristics.
Practice areas / services
Sidley Austin is a full-service law firm, with a broad range of practice areas including:
- Banking & Financial Institutions
- Capital Markets
- Antitrust/Competition
- Banking and Financial Services
- Capital Markets
- Corporate Governance
- Energy
- Environmental
- Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy
- Global Finance
- Insurance
- M&A
- Private Equity
- Project Finance
- Real Estate
- Restructuring
- Tax
- Technology and IP Transactions
Chambers and Partners, a leading analyst of the legal market, has awarded Sidley Austin its ‘Band 2’ ranking for the following departments: Financial Services: Payments Law and Life Sciences: Regulatory. See here for more information
Key sectors / industries
Sidley Austin services a broad range of industries, with some of its highest-value clients operating in the following sectors:
In addition, Sidley Austin services the following industries: Agribusiness and Food, Automotive and Mobility, Aviation and Airlines, Derivatives, Energy, Entertainment, Sports and Media, Financial Institutions, Global Life Sciences, Healthcare, Hospitality, Insurance Disputes, Rail, Real Estate, RETIs, Telecom and Internet Competition and Transportation.
Work
Sidley Austin consistently advises on high-profile, cross border matters. Some examples of its recent work include:
- Dwayne Johnson: The firm represented Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Dany Garcia in connection with Molson Coors Beverage Company’s acquisition of a majority ownership stake in ZOA Energy, an energy drink brand.
- Mastercard: Sidley Austin represented Mastercard in its $2.65 billion acquisition of global threat intelligence company Recorded Future. The acquisition will complement Mastercard’s existing suite of cybersecurity services.
- Morgan Stanley: The firm represented Morgan Stanley Energy Partners and its portfolio company, Durango Midstream LLC, in connection with the sale of Durango Permian LLC to Kinetik.
Offices / global footprint / expansion
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Offices: Sidley Austin has an international network of 20 offices, including offices in San Francisco, Shanghai and Geneva.
Insights, internships and other opportunities
Sidley Austin offers a number of opportunities for individuals wishing to gain experience in the legal industry and learn more about life at the firm. Opportunities for interested applicants include: the ‘Sidley Insight Day’ which offers aspiring City lawyers the chance to explore the firm’s London office, chat to current trainees and receive advice on applying for training contracts; and the firm’s winter, spring and summer vacation schemes. The winter scheme is one-week long, while the spring and summer schemes are each two-weeks long, and all three are open to students in the penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree.
Training contract
Sidley Austin offers a 4-seat training contract, with each seat lasting 6 months. Trainees are expected to take a seat in both Corporate and Global Finance. While on the training contract, trainees will receive regular feedback from a partner and associate supervisor during each seat, as well as a mentor who is paired with the trainee throughout the training contract. Additionally, regular business development sessions led by each practice area will ensure that trainees regularly develop their commercial acumen and ability to understand their clients’ needs.
Secondments
Sidley Austin offers its trainees the chance to apply for secondments, either with a major client, or abroad in locations such as Hong Kong and Brussels.
Technology and innovation
Sidley Austin is committed to utilising technology to provide clients with flexible and innovative legal services, with related initiatives including:
- Sidley AI Monitor: The firm has put together an AI Monitor which is a centralised resource of content related to AI. It includes thought leadership from Sidley, the latest laws and regulations, and access to the firm’s AI lawyers.
- Digital Technology Regulation: Sidley Austin has put together a resource on digital technology prepared by its lawyers to help track upcoming legislation and policy initiatives.
- FT Innovative Lawyers Awards: Sidley Austin has been recognised repeatedly at the FT Innovative Lawyers awards. In 2022, the firm was a finalist in a variety of categories, and secured wins in the Innovation in Dispute Resolution and Innovation in Equity and Racial Justice categories.
Corporate social responsibility
Sidley Austin has ‘cultivated a tradition’ of committing to pro bono services since its founding, dedicating time and skills to helping vulnerable groups receive the legal advice they need. Recent pro bono projects include:
- Capital Litigation Project: The firm’s Capital Litigation Project ensures that people incarcerated on Alabama’s death row have access to high-quality legal representation. The firm has so far represented 24 prisoners on Alabama’s death row at all stages of post-conviction proceedings.
- Veterans Advocacy Project: Sidley provides legal assistance to disabled veterans seeking benefits from the US Department of Veterans Affairs and the Armed Forces.
- Convention Against Torture Initiative (CTI): The firm conducts analysis between the provisions of the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) and legal and regulatory frameworks in specific countries the CTI is working with.
Diversity and inclusion
Sidley Austin seeks to foster an environment where ‘every person can be the most genuine version of themselves’. To achieve this, the firm has established diversity-focused initiatives designed to build an inclusive and welcoming work culture. Some examples of these initiatives include:
- LGBTQ+ Buddies: Providing LGBTQ+ lawyers with “LGBTQ+ Buddies”, who serve as part of an informal network of mentors and role models.
- Women in Leadership Initiative: The firm runs a Women in Leadership series which promotes networking for women. It includes the firm’s lawyers as well as in-house counsel and other professionals.
- Diversity Mentoring Program: creating the Diversity Mentoring Program, which connects associates from underrepresented groups with a mentor from the senior partnership, as well as the Partner Up! program, which provide associates with a quarterly reimbursement for an informal networking activity that involves connecting with younger members of the firm to promote an inclusive environment.