INSIDE SIDLEY
The Mission of the Firm is:
- to provide the highest quality of professional service to our clients;
- to adhere to the highest ethical standards;
- to offer our skills and talents for the betterment of the legal profession and the diverse
communities in which we practice;
- to maintain a culture of collegiality in which we help each other to best serve our
clients, our profession and our communities; and
- to develop, support and encourage new generations of lawyers to carry on our
commitment to excellence, integrity, diversity and collegiality.
About Sidley
Sidley Austin has extensive litigation and
transactional practices. We are proud of the breadth
and quality of the services we provide to our
clients. Our lawyers regularly achieve outstanding
results for our clients in complex cases and
transactions on the cutting edge of the law.
We also are proud of the range and caliber of the
clients we serve. Many of our clients are at the
forefront of their industries, professions
and markets. Whether we are acting as advocates
or advisors, we offer our clients legal services
of unparalleled strength and a devotion
to performance.
Sidley Austin has a world-wide transactional and
capital markets practice, representing some of the
largest financial institutions, investment banks
and diversified multinational enterprises. Major
practice areas include corporate and securities,
securitization, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual
property, funds and other pooled investments,
bankruptcy and corporate reorganization, bank and
commercial lending, public finance, real estate, tax
and employee benefits, as well as trusts and estates.
The firm offers its clients extensive litigation
experience in regulatory, trial and appellate
matters spanning virtually every area of substantive
law. Practice disciplines include general and
commercial litigation, regulatory and financial
litigation, antitrust, white collar criminal defense,
patent and other intellectual property litigation,
product liability and mass tort litigation. Our
bankruptcy, environmental, employment and
labor, government contracts, financial institutions
and health care practice areas also have substantial
litigation expertise.
Achievements
- We have briefed and argued more cases before the US
Supreme Court than any other law firm.
- The firm is one of two recipients of the 2005 Catalyst
Award, which is given annually by Catalyst, the leading
research and advisory organization dedicated to
expanding opportunities for women and business.
- The National Law Journal named the firm’s victory on
behalf of Tyson Foods the number one Defense Jury
Verdict for 2003. After only five hours of deliberation,
a federal jury fully acquitted Tyson of all charges. The
Sidley legal team dashed the government’s attempt to
invoke a rarely-used forfeiture claim to seize millions
of dollars.
- The firm received the Thomas L. Sager Award in
2003 and 1999 from the Minority Corporate Counsel
Association. This award recognizes law firms that have
demonstrated a sustained commitment to improve the
hiring, retention and promotion of minority attorneys.
The firm also received an honorable mention for the
western region in 2004.
- We have been recognized by our clients and by the
media for our leadership in our transactional, litigation
and international practices.
- The BTI Consulting Group national Survey of Client
Service Performance for Law Firms named Sidley
Austin as the Number One US law firm for overall client
service for 2004. The firm was also number one in 2002
and is one of six law firms that have been named in
BTI’s Client Service 30 four years in a row.
- In 2004, we tied for first in The American Lawyer’s
Corporate Scorecard with 14 top-ten rankings.
- We are consistently ranked at the top of the Thomson
Financial surveys.
- The firm was named US Banking and Capital Markets
Firm of the Year by Chambers Global in 2004. In
presenting the award, the Chambers judges noted that
“the firm is endorsed for its accomplishments and the
depth of resources in New York, Chicago and London.”
- In 2004, the firm was honored as Finance Team of the
Year by The Lawyer magazine in the UK. This award
was presented for overall excellence and innovation
in our structured finance practice. The Lawyer also
awarded the firm second place as US Law Firm of the
Year in the London market.
Strength
Sidley Austin is litigation counsel to nearly half of
the Fortune 100 companies in America. The firm
is a leading trial and appellate litigation firm whose
lawyers have, as private practitioners, briefed and
argued more cases before the US Supreme Court
than any other law firm. The head of the Appellate
Practice, Carter Phillips, recently argued his 45th
case before the Supreme Court.
Collegiality
Sidley takes great pride in the culture of collegiality
that it has fostered and maintained across its many
offices. Attorneys at all levels treat each other,
and staff members, with a friendly and genuine
respect. This atmosphere makes it a pleasure to
come to work in the morning, and takes the edge
off staying late at night when that is necessary. It
also enables the Firm to deliver the highest quality
legal services. Sidley lawyers place a premium on
helping each other out, lending assistance and
expertise on projects that can span multiple offices
and practice areas. We believe this culture of respect
and cooperation sets us apart from many other
firms, and enhances the professional experience and
satisfaction of our lawyers.
Leading the way
The leadership of Sidley Austin in today’s
international legal community is demonstrated
in the strength of our practices, in the quality
of our lawyers and clients, and in our enduring
commitment to serve our clients and our
communities. Across the country and around the
world, our lawyers work together at the cutting
edge of the law, serving as advisors, deal makers and
advocates to help our clients develop and implement
successful business strategies, minimize risks and
prevail in litigation. We seek men and women
with well-rounded backgrounds, whose academic
achievements indicate an ability to do superior
legal work. Sidley Austin lawyers come from diverse
cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and many have
advanced degrees in the humanities, sciences and
technical fields related to their practices.
Summer Associate Mentoring
We are dedicated to mentoring our summer
associates. Each summer associate is given personal
attention that reflects our concern for their
development as future lawyers. They are assigned
to at least a summer committee member (a partner
or senior associate) as well as a junior associate or
associate group: the associate mentor serves as a
“buddy,” able to answer the more “typical” questions
a summer associate might have, while the summer
committee member is in charge of assignment
feedback. By giving our summer associates this kind
of steady guidance, Sidley ensures that these men
and women will receive the assistance they need
to make sense of, and learn from, the “real-life”
scenarios they will encounter.
Associate Mentoring
We believe that an associate’s access to and active
participation in appropriate mentoring relationships
can have a significant influence on his or her career
development, as well as career satisfaction. Mentors
take an active role in the associate’s professional
growth as well as his or her adjustment to working
at the Firm. While many lawyers act as informal
mentors to an associate at the Firm, we believe that
a formal mentoring program, with assigned mentors,
is usually an effective way to assist each associate
in receiving appropriate guidance and feedback
from the very start of the associate’s employment.
To facilitate the mentoring process, the Firm assigns
a partner and an associate mentor to each of its
incoming associates. The partner and associate
mentors typically practice in the same practice
group as the new associate, and can offer guidance
and information regarding a variety of practice
group-specific matters, as well as introducing the
associate to Firm administrative processes, lawyers
in other groups, and Firm culture, generally.
For example, mentors typically engage in the
following activities:
- Going on lunches and walking tours during the first
week of the new associate’s employment.
- Going out to lunch and/or meeting periodically
with the associate to establish rapport and an
understanding of the associate’s work assignments
and interests.
- Inviting them to group meetings and office events.
- Providing feedback on work and progress.
- Acting as a resource on Firm issues.
- Finding project assignments.
We highly recommend that new associates
participate actively in these formal mentoring
relationships and make use of the resources that
they offer. Mentoring is most effective when
both of the participants in the relationship are
committed to the mentoring process. The formal,
assigned mentoring relationships at the Firm are
not designed to replace or diminish the informal
mentoring relationships that should arise during
the course of an associate’s employment. Rather,
the formal mentoring program is designed to
supplement and enhance the opportunities for
professional development and career satisfaction
that are available to an associate at Sidley Austin LLP.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
WHAT DO YOU THINK DISTINGUISHES SIDLEY
FROM OTHER BIG FIRMS?
A significant difference between Sidley and other
large firms is the strong emphasis that Sidley
places on collegiality and collaboration among
attorneys. With such a broad base of knowledge
and professional experience across the Firm, it is
encouraging to know that there are so many to
whom you can go for guidance and advice on
virtually any issue, and that your inquiries will be
warmly received.
Ami N. Wynne
Chicago Office
Harvard 2000
WHAT KIND OF ASSIGNMENTS DO SUMMER
ASSOCIATES RECEIVE?
Summer associates conduct substantive legal
research and writing on actual firm matters under
the supervision of partners and/or associates.
Summer associates may seek assignments in the
practice groups of interest to them but are also
encouraged to take on assignments in a variety
of areas in order to gain exposure to different
practice areas and meet as many partners and
associates as possible.
Nirali D. Patel
Washington, DC
American University Washington College of Law (2004)
WHAT IF I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I WANT TO DO?
The summer program is a great opportunity to
try different things. In truth, it takes time and
exposure to decide what you enjoy and where
you feel challenged. The summer is a great
chance to decide on the larger picture issues (e.g.,
litigation, transactional, public finance, international
trade). Once you start in a broad area, there are
opportunities to both specialize (e.g., IP litigation
or antitrust) or to generalize across a number of
areas. The opportunities available firm-wide are
really astounding.
Paul L. Yanosy
San Francisco
University of Virginia School of Law (2004)
What types of work may a first-year
associate expect to receive?
The firm’s Summer Recruiting Program provides
a good indication of the types of work that a first-
year associate may expect to receive when he/she
initially arrives at the firm. For example, a first-year
litigation associate may initially be tasked with
research and motion/brief drafting. Then, gradually,
the associate is given increasing responsibility.
Many first-year associates are given opportunities
to engage in client contact, prepare/deliver
external presentations, and actively participate in
case meetings.
Smitha Mathews
Dallas
Southern Methodist University (2004)
Are there opportunities for real respon-
sibility in the first year, or will I spend
the whole time doing document review?
Yes, I have found the opportunities for responsibility
to be abundant. While there is the necessary
document review and work that must be accomplished,
there are also great opportunities for initiative. I
am in the middle of drafting a motion to quash,
for example, on behalf of a major client in an
important case. Thankfully, the doors are almost
always open in partner and associate offices – even
those not directly on the same case – to help
answer questions or think through issues. I really do
feel like people want us to succeed, and want us to
continue to learn.
Paul L. Yanosy
San Francisco
University of Virginia School of Law (2004)
To what extent may junior associates
directly interact with senior partners
at the firm?
The firm maintains an “open-door” policy.
Associates may freely engage in discussion with any
of the firm’s attorneys. In the Dallas office, partners
regularly meet with junior associates to discuss
assignments, case strategies, etc.
Smitha Mathews
Dallas
Southern Methodist University (2004)
Can I actually have a life outside
the firm?
Yes. Everyone that I have met here recognizes and
values a balance between work-life and home-life.
As an attorney at Sidley, you will be treated like a
professional and be expected to act like one. That
means that you will generally be in charge of your
own schedule and be ultimately responsible for
getting your work done. But, it doesn’t mean that
you have to miss all of your kids’ soccer games or
that you are shackled to your desk 24/7. In fact,
Sidley is set up with the latest technology to allow
its attorneys the freedom to work from almost
anywhere, at any time. So, you can’t use “work”
as your excuse for not having a life!
Nitin Reddy
Los Angeles
The University of Chicago Law School (2003)
What is the firm’s position regarding
female associates who wish to pursue
both a legal career and a family?
The Firm has a number of policies designed to help
women and men strive for balance in pursuing both
a legal career and a family, ranging from its paid
maternity and paternity leave policies to reduced-
hours policies. The flexibility under these policies,
and the Firm management’s commitment to
them, allows each person to seek his or her sense
of balance between work and family on a
long-term basis.
Ami N. Wynne
Chicago Office
Harvard 2000
Will I have the opportunity to gain
exposure to the various corporate
practice areas before being assigned
to a specific practice area?
I discovered that the summer program work
assignment process provided a great opportunity
to gain exposure to each of the practice areas that
I was interested in, and more. Summer associates
can select any assignment ‘posted’ to the Sidley’s
dedicated intranet site and are not restricted to
working within a maximum (or required to work
in a minimum) number of practice areas.
I discovered the extent to which corporate groups
work together on projects and that exposure to a
variety of the corporate groups is often obtained
through an assignment from a particular area of
interest. Summer associates are often exposed to
unfamiliar and interesting areas through this process
and I was encouraged to investigate new areas of
interest by taking on assignments in those areas or
by simply speaking with members of that team,
all of whom were more than willing to discuss their
area of practice.
Kevin S. Zadourian
New York
Fordham University School of Law (Class of 2004)
What is the review process like for
junior associates?
Associates receive semi-annual reviews and have
the opportunity to participate in a ‘pre-review’
process, which facilitates the organization and
efficiency of self-review and ultimately review and
discussion during the ‘formal’ review process.
Kevin S. Zadourian
New York
Fordham University School of Law (Class of 2004)
What kind of training does the firm
provide to new corporate lawyers?
Sidley’s training program is undoubtedly one
of the firm’s strengths. In addition to the
regular orientation programs and meetings with
department heads, there is Corporate College
in the spring of the 1st year, plus weekly 90
minute sessions every Wednesday morning (for Many firms require their young associates
CLE credit) that cover a broad spectrum of issues to be the first one in the office and the
that a corporate lawyer might encounter. These last to leave, regardless of whether
topics range from insight into the various practice they’re busy or not. What is Sidley’s view
areas such as securitization and M&A to practical on that?
lessons on due diligence, opinion letters, accounting Young lawyers are expected to handle their
principles and tax law. assignments and workload with conscientiousness
Leland R. Miller and maturity, just like all other lawyers. This means
New York staying around or making yourself available as
University of Virginia School of Law (2004) necessary to get your work done. However, the firm
also appreciates that you have a life outside the firm.
What is the firm doing to increase No after-hours “face time” is required.
diversity?
Leland R. Miller
With the support of top-level management, Sidley New York
has established several committees, including the University of Virginia School of Law (2004)
Racial and Ethnic Diversity Committee and the
retention and promotion of women, to increase the
recruitment and retention of women and minorities.
Recently, Sidley became the first law firm in the
country to receive the Catalyst Award for its efforts
to promote the recruitment and retention of women.
Nirali D. Patel
Washington, DC
American University Washington College of Law (2004)
Does the firm have a commitment to pro
bono work?
Yes, Sidley believes in serving charitable and non-
profit organizations and individuals who cannot
afford legal representation in a variety of arenas,
from assisting local legal aid clinics on landlord-
tenant disputes or domestic violence cases to
representing indigent defendants in criminal appeals
cases before the US Supreme Court. An associate
may automatically count up to 60 hours of his or
her pro bono work towards his or her total billable
hours each year and may go above this amount
with Group Head approval. Incoming associates in
the Chicago and DC offices also have the option
of participating in eight-to-ten week programs as
pro bono legal interns at various not-for-profit
organizations such as the ACLU and the National
Center for Homelessness.
Nirali D. Patel
Washington, DC
American University Washington College of Law (2004)
A word from our staff
“The firm is a great place. People treat you with
respect and take an interest in your professional
development. I have also made some wonderful
friends here.”
Brandi Feingold
Associate, Washington, DC
Brooklyn 2001
“Recruiting, through our summer programs and
otherwise, is a critical element of our long-term
strategy. We seek the best minds of the current
generation of law students who also meet our
standards for collegiality. By investing well in this
manner, we are assuring that the future of the firm
reflects a continuation of the substantial momentum
which we enjoy today.”
Thomas A. Cole
Chairman Executive Committee
“Balancing a stimulating, active legal practice and
personal commitments is always a challenge, but
lawyers at Sidley, regardless of the nature of their
commitments, place a premium on achieving that
balance. As a litigation partner and a mother of five,
I know that at Sidley, it really is possible to have the
best of both worlds.”
Holly A. Harrison
Litigation Partner and Co-Chair of the Chicago
Committee on Recruiting of Associates
“Our diversity motto, ‘A World Within a Firm,’
speaks to the firm’s belief that bringing together
people from diverse backgrounds offers the very
best opportunity for creative problem solving of
our clients’ matters and the creation of a work-life
environment in which all are comfortable
and valued.”
Stanley B. Stallworth
Co-Chairman, Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity
“Our summer recruiting program is focused on
attracting the best and brightest lawyers who value
working in a collegial environment to achieve
successful outcomes for our clients in some of
today’s most sophisticated and complex patent
litigation and related matters. We want our new
lawyers to learn to carry on our tradition of
balancing a challenging legal career with a successful
and full personal and family life.”
James P. Bradley
Intellectual Property/Patent Litigator and Managing
Partner of the Dallas office
“What separates Sidley from other firms is its
deeply rooted tradition and belief that the most
rewarding and successful legal practice requires
a balance between one’s professional career and
personal life. Our summer program is designed to
expose students to that tradition, where they will
not only gain experience with the many facets of
our complex and challenging Intellectual Property
practice, but will have many opportunities to
interact with associates, partners and their families
in social settings.”
John A. Dondrea
Intellectual Property/Patent Litigation Partner and Chair
of the Dallas Committee on Recruiting of Associates
“By choice, my practice concentrates on patent
litigation. Among other projects, I work daily with
lawyers in Sidley’s Washington, Chicago and New
York offices on assorted cases in courts across the
country. From preparing for and defending key
fact witness depositions, to working with experts
to develop their reports, defend their depositions
and take the depositions of the opposing expert
witnesses, to taking the lead on the preparation of
summary judgment papers, as a young associate I
have been allowed tremendous responsibility in
these high-stakes ($300 million/year or more in
sales) cases.”
Michael D. Hatcher
Intellectual Property Associate, Dallas
Georgetown (2000)
“Sidley’s unwavering commitment to and
encouragement of pro bono work and improving
the communities in which we practice and live
makes it the ideal place for those interested in
working in an environment that nurtures souls,
as well as minds.”
Ronie M. Schmelz
Litigation Partner and Chair of the Los Angeles
Pro Bono Committee
“Sidley understands that the success of the firm
tomorrow is based on the talent, energy and
innovation of the young lawyers that we hire today.
Accordingly, Sidley places a high premium not just
on recruiting the best and the brightest, but also
on developing its lawyers to their full potential and
promoting them to success, whatever that might
mean to the individual lawyer. In doing so, the firm
recognizes the importance of balancing life with the
law and further offers the relatively rare opportunity
to engage in a sophisticated, cutting edge legal
practice in a collegial and supportive atmosphere.”
Jennifer C. Hagle
Corporate and Finance and Corporate Reorganization
Partner and Chair of the Los Angeles Committee on the
Recruiting of Associates
“We strive for excellence in all our activities –
whether in the legal work we provide for our
clients, our approach to pro bono matters, the
training and mentoring we offer our associates, or in
the collegial atmosphere we work hard to maintain
amongst lawyers and staff.”
Moshe J. Kupietzky
Managing Partner of the Los Angeles Office
“Diversity among our incoming classes is very
important at Sidley. We value lawyers who
mirror the diversity of the clients we serve and
the communities in which we live. We find that
such diversity enables us to bring many different
perspectives to creative resolution of our client’s
legal issues, and fosters an inclusive, supportive and
stimulating work environment.”
Catherine Valerio Barrad
Litigation Partner and Chair of the Los Angeles
Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity
“As a member of the first class of summer associates
in 1962, I was challenged like never before. Today,
I continue to be amazed by the enthusiasm and
capability I see displayed by our lawyers around
the world.”
Thomas R. Smith, Jr.
Partner
“At the firm, young women lawyers can do the
seemingly impossible–balance a family life while
maintaining a rewarding career. For example, I
became a partner in 2002, at the age of 34, while
already the mother of two beautiful boys.”
Maria Melendez
Litigation Partner and Co-Chair of the New York
Summer Committee
“As a Sidley litigation associate, you hit the ground
running and don’t look back. Within my first two
years in the Litigation Group, I examined witnesses
at trial, deposed witnesses pre-trial, and argued a
motion, all in significant federal court cases.”
Benjamin Nagin
Litigation Partner and Member of the New York
Committee on Recruiting of Associates
“Our San Francisco office offers sophisticated
transactional, litigation and IP practices with all the
resources of a large, multinational law firm, but in a
small office setting. Like all Sidley offices, we foster
an environment of collegiality and professionalism. ”
Paul Pringle
San Francisco Managing Partner
“I am proud to be a part of a firm that believes
that while intelligence and talent are critical for
success, equally critical are integrity, compassion
and kindness. I have always believed that one of our
unique strengths is that there is an atmosphere of
respect that permeates every office of Sidley. ”
Sharon Flanagan
Chair of the San Francisco Committee on Recruiting
Associates
“When I was a young partner, one of my mentors
who was then the managing partner of Sidley’s DC
office, told me: ‘The single most important thing
we do is recruit talented young lawyers. They are
the lifeblood and future of the firm.’ In the 15 years
since I heard those words, I have come to recognize
how right he was. By persuading the most talented
and collegial young lawyers to join Sidley, we
guarantee that the greatness of this firm and
the excellence of this office will continue into the
next generation.”
Practice areas
The following is a list of some of Sidley Austin LLP’s major practice areas. For more information about
particular practice areas or practice areas in a certain office, as well as recent news, seminars and client
alerts, please visit us at www.sidley.com.

Carter G. Phillips
Managing Partner, Washington, DC and member of the Antitrust Energy Insurance Product Liability
Firm’s Management Committee

“I am consistently delighted with the excitement, Appellate Environmental Intellectual Property Public Finance
creativity, and aptitude demonstrated by our
attorneys. At Sidley, you will have the opportunity Bankruptcy Private Clients International Trade Real Estate
to work on sophisticated and significant issues with
a diverse group of talented lawyers who truly enjoy Corporate/Securities Food and Drug Investment Funds Securitization
working with each other.”
Employee Benefits Government Contracts Litigation Tax
Karen A. Popp
Litigation Partner and Co-Chair of the Washington, DC
Committee on Recruiting of Associates Employment and Labor Health Care Mergers & Acquisitions Telecommunications

“Sidley values the contributions of each its attorneys

and is committed to their professional development.
Not only does the DC office provide its associates
with formal corporate and litigation training, but
our partners are eager to mentor and provide
informal, candid advice on any concerns, questions
or issues that arise.”
Joseph R. Guerra
Litigation Partner and Co-Chair of the Washington, DC
Committee on Recruiting of Associates

“One of the things that attracted me to and has kept

me at Sidley is the Firm’s obvious commitment to a
balanced work-life environment. Not only am I able
to pursue a challenging and exciting legal practice,
but I also have the opportunity to take leadership
world offices
roles on important Firm committees. I was not sure
all of this would be possible after I became a mom,
Beijing Frankfurt Los Angeles Singapore
but the Firm has a flexible and accommodating
approach that has allowed me to pursue all of my
Brussels Geneva New York Tokyo
interests – including spending time with my family.”
Colleen M. Lauerman Chicago Hong Kong San Francisco Washington DC
Litigation Partner

Dallas London Shanghai

Chicago
The Chicago office of Sidley Austin traces its
origins back to 1866. The firm has grown with
the city, and for many years has been among the
largest, most well known, and best-respected firms
in Chicago.
The Chicago office currently consists of more
than 500 lawyers, working across a broad range
of practice disciplines encompassing most areas of
the law. While many Chicago firms offer strong
practices in one area, or perhaps several, no firm
offers greater strength and depth than Sidley Austin
across the full spectrum of what large law firms do
for their clients.
Chicago litigators work on cases ranging from
relatively small disputes to “bet-the-company” cases
for large corporate clients. Our transactions practice
challenges our lawyers with innovative work
opportunities for a wide variety of business clients.
Lawyers in a number of practice groups handle
engagements transcending the boundary between
litigation and transactions.
Because the Chicago office is an integral part of a
major full-service practice, our lawyers are involved
in substantial matters at the cutting edge of the law.
New associates have the opportunity to assume
front-line responsibility, do top-notch legal work
and deal directly with clients at an early stage in
their careers.
“When considering which law firm to join as
a summer associate, my two guiding principles
were that I wanted to work at a firm that had
sophisticated, cutting-edge legal work and that
recognized the value in having attorneys succeed Although the firm also hires lawyers directly from
in all aspects of their lives – career, family and law school, clerkships and laterally, a substantial
community-wise. I chose Sidley Austin because I majority of the lawyers in the Chicago office started
thought they provided such an environment. Within in the summer program.
my first few weeks, I knew I had made the best
decision. The firm’s practice groups are so varied Highlights of the summer program include:
that I was able to do interesting and challenging - Personal and professional development, support, and
work in legal areas that were new to me, like
insurance and investment products. I was also able
to go to the criminal courthouse and work on pro
- The freedom and flexibility to select many of your own
bono cases. Most importantly, the firm’s attorneys
went out of their way to make me feel welcome
and to respect my family life and my cultural
heritage.”
Emma L. Rodriguez-Ayala
Chicago
2005 Summer Associate
Summer Program
Our summer associate program is an invaluable
window into our practice and firm culture. We
provide our summer associates with something
priceless – experience. As a summer associate, you
will be able to select projects that interest you and
then perform legal work under the supervision of
our attorneys. Such direct participation enables you
to observe the way Sidley Austin’s attorneys help
to solve problems and create opportunities for
our clients.
Summer associates can supplement their work
experience with optional training programs,
including presentations about lawyering skills and
aspects of the firm’s practice, as well as participatory
trial and negotiation exercises. The firm gives you
the resources you need to succeed by making
available a “professor in residence” with whom
summer associates may consult concerning legal
research and writing questions, who provides
assistance to the summer associates that is indepen-
dent from the evaluation process. We also schedule
a variety of social, recreational, and cultural activities
throughout the summer in order to help acquaint
summer associates with Chicago and with lawyers
at the firm.
guidance provided by mentoring relationships with both
associates and partners.
assignments and manage your workload, combined
with a supportive network to assist you as you explore
areas based on your interests.
- Exposure to interesting and challenging projects in a
wide variety of practice areas.
- Practical training opportunities, such as a mock trial
skills program, a negotiation skills seminar and
presentations by partners and associates on an array
of issues.
- A vast selection of events showcasing Chicago’s
finest, from baseball games and evenings at ethnic
restaurants to museum exhibit premiers.
Experience Chicago
- Work in a major international center with a dynamic
business and legal community.
- Live in a city of diverse neighborhoods.
- Explore 31 miles of lakefront with beaches, bike paths
and running trails.
- Discover Millennium Park, Chicago’s newest open air
entertainment center.
- Visit culturally-rich museums, theaters and festivals.
- Listen to music in the home of the blues.
- See world-renowned architecture.
- Walk on the Magnificent Mile.
- Enjoy a multitude of tastes at a wide variety
of restaurants.
- Work in a new state-of-the-art building.
For more information contact:
Jennifer L. Connelly
National Legal Recruiting Manager
Sidley Austin LLP
One South Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60603
Dallas
The Dallas office of Sidley Austin LLP is the only
office in the Firm that focuses exclusively on a
single practice area: intellectual property. Our
experience in intellectual property protection,
litigation, counseling, and licensing extends across
a wide range of technical disciplines. Our lawyers
have experience in developing strategies to protect
the products and services of our clients with patent,
trademark, copyright and other intellectual property
rights in today’s competitive business environment.
Representing clients in a broad base of technical
areas provides the Dallas office with a depth of
experience and resources to address virtually any
client need or issue.
The Dallas office is renowned for its successes in
the area of intellectual property litigation. To build
on this record of success we look for talented
women and men with inquisitive legal minds who
desire to work in a team environment. The Dallas
office strives to maintain an informal, collegial, and
cooperative atmosphere for all of its lawyers.
We are committed to the professional development
of each lawyer in the Dallas office. Because we are
dedicated to helping you gain practical, hands-on
experience and master new skills throughout your
first years with the Firm we offer the following:
- A Firm-wide new associate orientation program.
- A Firm-wide mid-level associate conference.
- Litigation skills training programs.
- Patent prosecution training programs.
- In-house programs including legal writing seminars,
litigation skills, electronic discovery, assessing
intellectual property valuations, due diligence and other
such programs.
- Firm-paid CLE.
Associates are also provided with mentoring and
training in the areas of practice development and
pro bono matters. Many times associates participate
in preparation for and presentation to prospective
clients. Associates are encouraged to be involved in
pro bono matters to both hone their counseling and
litigation skills and to contribute to the community.
Because all of Sidley Austin’s offices take an
interdisciplinary approach to representation, new
associates have many opportunities to work with
lawyers from other offices and practice areas.
We schedule regular evaluations during which
an associate can discuss his or her professional
development and advancement toward partnership.
We encourage an open door policy for feedback
between associates and partners. The goals are
to provide an open flow of ideas and to build
professional relationships.
“As a summer associate at Sidley in Dallas, I was
amazed at the level of respect and responsibility I
was given from the first day, forward. I found
my work assignments during my summer to
be both interesting and challenging. I was given
the opportunity to interact with each partner
and associate personally and the social events gave
us the opportunity to have fun, relax and enjoy
our time in Dallas.”
John Wisse
University of Houston
2006 Summer Associate
Summer Program
The Dallas office relies mainly on its summer
program for associate hiring needs. The majority
of new associates participated in the summer
program. The aim of the Dallas office is to hire
summer associates for its summer program who will
be qualified to become associates after graduation.
The Dallas office takes pride in its summer program
which is structured so that the summer associate
works on a variety of challenging and interesting
work with feedback from the partner or associate
from whom the work is assigned. In addition, the
Dallas office makes every effort to give the summer
associate a true picture of what it is like to be an
associate with the Dallas office of Sidley Austin LLP.
- Sidley’s Dallas office ranked third in the city in the 2005
American Lawyer summer associate survey.
The goal of the summer program is to acquaint
the summer associate with the specialized practice
of intellectual property law, the lawyers and staff
of the Dallas office and the city of Dallas. Our
summer program has been successful in its goal of
identifying summer associates who are qualified to
join us as permanent associates.
Highlights of the summer program include:
- Mentoring: Each summer associate works closely
with a supervising partner and associate who will
assign work, supply timely feedback and answer
any questions.
- Variety: You will get the opportunity to work on
a variety of challenging projects including litigation-
related projects, patent prosecution, and trademark
prosecution.
- Training: We are proud to offer a combination of training
in our summer program that few firms can equal.
Weekly patent prosecution workshops are conducted to
teach you how to write patent claims, how to respond to
office actions from the Patent & Trademark Office, and
other prosecution skills. We offer an interactive, hands-
on litigation school where you will learn litigation
skills such as interviewing fact witnesses, deposing
witnesses, examining witnesses, and arguing motions.
- Field Trip: 2L Summer associates travel to Washington,
DC where they will visit the Firm’s DC office, tour the
US Supreme Court, hear an oral argument before the
US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and have
the opportunity to sightsee.
- Flexibility: We prefer summer associates to spend
at least eight weeks with us, but we will consider a
shorter or longer term on a case-by-case basis.
- Sociability: Because we feel it is essential get to know
each other on both a professional and personal level,
various cultural and social events are planned as part
of our summer program.
EXPERIENCE Dallas
- Experience Dallas’ unique blend of Southwestern
warmth, cosmopolitan flair and modern sophistication.
- Work in the Southwest’s leading business and
financial center.
- Live in the ninth largest city in the United States. The
city of Dallas has a population of 1,208,318 with room
to roam in 384 square miles.
- Discover more than 160 museums, galleries and artistic
attractions in Dallas.
- Enjoy live music every night from Country & Western
music to blues, rock, symphony and much more.
- Partake of the cuisine with more than 7,000 restaurants
to enjoy.
- Shop until you drop with more shopping centers per
capita than any other major US city.
- Dallas/Fort Worth has been ranked among the seven
most livable urban complexes in the world.
- Home to many professional sports — Dallas Cowboys
Football, Dallas Mavericks Basketball, Dallas Stars
Hockey, Texas Rangers Baseball, Dallas Burn Soccer,
thoroughbred horseracing at Lone Star Park, and
professional racing at Texas Motor Speedway.
For more information contact:
Brenda Keel
Legal Personnel
Sidley Austin LLP
717 North Harwood
Suite 3400
Dallas, TX 75201
Los Angeles
For 25 years, the Los Angeles office of Sidley Austin
LLP has distinguished itself as a significant legal
presence in California and throughout the West
Coast. Our lawyers serve as counsel on a broad
range of matters for local, regional, national and
international clients. We regularly handle important
high-profile matters for some of the world’s most
prominent corporations, entrepreneurial businesses,
associations, partnerships, government agencies
and individuals.
The lawyers in our Los Angeles office represent
clients on a wide range of complex litigation, and
domestic and international business transactions.
Our practice includes constitutional and appellate
litigation, complex civil litigation (including some
of the largest class actions pending in the country),
bankruptcy, corporate and finance, securities
litigation, environmental, healthcare, intellectual
property & technology counseling and litigation,
labor and employment counseling and litigation,
media and First Amendment litigation, public
finance, real estate, securitization, and tax. Our
lawyers work closely with one another and, where
appropriate, with lawyers from the firm’s other
offices in order to take advantage of the different
areas of expertise throughout the firm. As a
result, the Los Angeles office, with more than 160
lawyers, offers both the collegial atmosphere of a
mid-size office and the unparalleled resources and
sophisticated practice of one of the world’s largest
and most preeminent law firms.
The Los Angeles office also serves as a focal point
of the firm’s Pacific Rim and international practice.
Attorneys in Los Angeles often collaborate with
attorneys in our five Asian offices (Beijing, Hong
Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo), and in our
London, Brussels and Geneva offices to provide a
fully-integrated practice dedicated to serving our
clients’ needs, including international arbitrations
and business transactions.
We have long been firmly committed to the
professional development of each lawyer in our
offices. To assist you in making the transition from
law student to lawyer, we give our new associates
a broad range of practical, hands-on experience,
and we have established extensive formal in-house
training programs. We also have a mentoring
program in which each new associate is paired
with a partner mentor and associate advisor to help
ease your transition and promote your professional
growth and development at the firm.
We are especially proud of the dedication that
our lawyers have demonstrated to the community.
The Los Angeles office participates in extensive
pro bono activities and has created two significant
Public Interest Fellowship programs with prestigious
local law schools. Also, we recently implemented a
new Pro Bono Fellowship Program for incoming
associates. In that program, new associates may
spend the summer or fall following their graduation
or judicial clerkship working with a public interest
organization in the Los Angeles area while receiving
a first-year associate salary from the firm. Through
these and other efforts, the Los Angeles office
continues to provide needed resources to low-
income individuals and nonprofit organizations in
our community.
“I am entering my second summer with Sidley
Austin and my experience with the firm has been
extremely rewarding from both a professional and
personal standpoint. Professionally speaking, it
is inspiring work with attorneys who not only
demonstrate legal excellence, but also take a sincere
interest in the experience of the Summer Associates.
Furthermore, I have found that Sidley is a firm that
truly understands the importance of diversity. The
firm’s commitment to establishing a talented and
diverse legal environment provides for a vibrant,
fun, and gratifying work atmosphere that not only
reflects the true world which we live in, but also
allows the firm to better serve its clients.
From a personal standpoint, my time with Sidley
has been equally rewarding. I consider many of the
summer associates and attorneys who I’ve worked
with to be good friends as well as co-workers.
Despite being a large firm, Sidley has done an
impressive job at cultivating a family environment
that helps develop the strong relationships that are
crucial to long-term success in the legal profession.”
Brian Washington
USC
2005 Summer Associate
Summer Program
The goal of the Los Angeles office’s Summer
Program is to provide summer associates with a
realistic preview of what it is like to be an associate
in our offices, while also providing them with social - The freedom and flexibility to select many of your own
opportunities to get to know our attorneys on a
more informal basis. We hire only those summer
associates whom we believe will be successful as
associates and, as a result, we hope and expect that
our summer associates will join us as associates and
one day develop into future partners of the firm.
Summer associate work assignments are real
projects for clients of the firm that would otherwise
be performed by junior associates. We give our
summer associates substantial flexibility to choose
assignments that reflect their own individual and
professional interests. Many summer associates
choose to explore projects from a variety of our
work groups, while others choose to emphasize one
or two particular practice areas. Summer associates
will also have opportunities for significant client
contact by attending, and often times participating
in, activities such as client conferences, court
hearings, depositions, interviews, negotiations, due
diligence and closings.
We believe that an essential component of our
summer program is the opportunity that we provide
summer associates to learn and develop their
- Get some sun. Stroll down the famous Venice Board-
professional skills. Our hands-on training includes
detailed reviews of each summer associate’s work
product, as well as more formal training programs
such as writing seminars, a mock trial, and a mock
negotiation exercise. We assign senior associates
and partners to provide guidance to our summer
associates, and each participant receives a formal
review at the midpoint of the summer program.
In addition to the interesting and challenging legal
work, our summer program offers a wide range
of opportunities to experience life in Los Angeles.
In recent years, our summer events have included
outdoor concerts, plays, cooking classes, surfing,
exhibitions at museums, sporting events, and other
recreational and cultural activities unique to the Los
Angeles area.
Highlights of the summer program include:
- Personal and professional development, support, and
guidance provided by mentoring relationships with both
associates and partners.
assignments and manage your workload, combined
with a supportive network to assist you as you explore
areas based on your interests.
- Exposure to interesting and challenging projects in a
wide variety of practice areas.
- Practical training opportunities, such as a mock trial
skills program, a negotiation skills seminar and
presentations by partners and associates on an array
of issues.
- A vast selection of events showcasing the finest of
Southern California, from sporting events and theater
to a day on Catalina Island.
EXPERIENCE Los Angeles
- Who Needs A Car? Frank Gehry’s world famous Walt
Disney Concert Hall; the Museum of Contemporary
Art; the Music Center, our seven-acre performing arts
complex; the LA Public Library; Jose Rafael Moneo’s
acclaimed jewel are all just steps away from where
you’ll be working.
- Music Under the Stars. Grab a picnic basket with
goodies from the Farmer’s Market and visit
the Hollywood Bowl, one of the largest natural
amphitheaters in the world. Listen to jazz, classical,
world or even rock music.
walk or visit Santa Monica where you can shop and
view some contemporary art at the Bergamot Station.
- Eat a Dodger Dog. Visit Dodger Stadium, considered to
be one of baseball’s best parks, with it’s breath-taking
view of the San Gabriel Mountains.
- Experience Disneyland, Universal Studios, LA Zoo,
Aquarium of the Pacific, Raging Waters, Six Flags
Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, Knotts Berry
Farm, Speedzone, La Brea Tar Pits, the Getty Center,
Hollywood Park, Queen Mary. And the list goes on.
- Take a stroll through the gardens. Desert Garden.
Herb Garden. Rose Garden. Shakespeare Garden.
Japanese Garden. Jungle Garden. All can be found
at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and
Botanical Gardens.
For more information contact:
Susan McGrady
Legal Personnel Manager
Sidley Austin LLP
555 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
New York
The New York office has nearly 400 lawyers,
approximately 30% of whom are partners, and the
remainder of whom are associates, staff attorneys, and
counsel. In addition to our multifaceted corporate
transactional practices, the office is home to a strong
and diverse litigation practice. Our New York lawyers
also practice in a wide variety of technical groups
that are at the forefront of their fields.
Our reputation and experience provide us with the
opportunity to service both the capital markets and
a traditional client base. The New York office is also
the gateway to the firm’s significant international
practice. We take great pride in developing
innovative approaches to transactions and creative
solutions to complex problems. We are leaders in a
highly competitive legal market, but we also strive
for a collegial and balanced work force.
“All of the lawyers, from the most junior levels to the
most senior, are ready and willing to not only assign explain the context of an assignment.”
great work, but most importantly to make themselves
available to answer any questions I may have.”
Viki Bonett
NYU
2005 Summer Associate
“By the end of my second week, I had already
participated in a phone conference for a financial
transaction in Brazil, prepared a brief opinion
on legal duties of trustees in bond issuances and
met the heads of some of the firm’s main practice
areas. If you add to that all the superb lunches
and receptions we’ve had in this short period, you
realize that summer at Sidley is really unique.”
Fernando Stzerling
Columbia
2005 Summer Associate
“The recruiting process isn’t limited to interaction
with the recruiting team. Everyone from the
most junior associate to the most senior partner
is interested in welcoming you to the firm and
making sure you feel comfortable and able to
contribute.”
Jason Friedhoff
George Washington
2005 Summer Associate
“Sidley’s commitment to pro bono work, women’s
initiatives and minority retention goes beyond
mere rhetoric. As a summer associate, I have
equally enjoyed participating in my women’s
mentoring circle’s book club, having lunch with the
diversity committee, and learning from the close
interaction with partners, clients and associates
while participating in substantive work in a variety
of the firm’s practice areas and pro bono cases. The
learning curve is fast and steep at Sidley.”
Kristen Williams
Columbia
2005 Summer Associate
“After three weeks as a summer at Sidley, what
strikes me most is that people at all levels are open
and approachable. Partners and associates alike make
an effort to welcome new summers and get them
involved with their work, while taking the time to
Neil Horner
McGill
2005 Summer Associate
OUR ATTORNEYS
Our attorneys have access to challenging and
high-quality legal work from our diverse client
base, and associates have the opportunity for front-
line responsibility early in their careers. In addition,
we are firmly committed to the professional
development of each lawyer in our office. To assist
attorneys in making the transition from law student
to lawyer, we give our new associates a broad range
of practical, hands-on experience, and we have
established extensive formal training programs. We
also have a mentor program in which each new
associate is paired with a partner to help promote
professional growth and development at the firm.
Summer Program
The New York Summer Associate Program is
a thorough introduction to Sidley Austin LLP’s
culture and practice. A summer associate’s
experience in our program is intended to be
representative of working as a first-year associate at
the firm, and therefore, work assignments are real
projects for real clients. The vast majority of our
summer associates join the firm as associates after
participating in the summer program.
Highlights of the summer program include:
- A wide variety of interesting and substantive work.
- The opportunity to observe and/or participate with our
attorneys in various “real life” activities such as client
conferences, court hearings, depositions, interviews,
negotiations and closings.
- Responsibility for choosing your own assignments
and managing the workflow that best suits your own
professional interests.
- A partner coordinator and an associate mentor will
provide you with professional guidance.
- Attend seminars on due diligence, securities offerings
and writing in plain English.
- Training in depositions, mock closings and negotiation
skills.
- Formal reviews at the midpoint and end of the summer.
- Attend social events and get to know us outside of work;
our activities showcase the best of New York–theater,
sporting events and museums.
- An opportunity to work on significant pro bono projects,
including asylum cases, uncontested divorce cases and
other pro bono cases being handled by our attorneys.
- Be a part of a geographically and ethnically diverse
summer program with candidates from approximately
25 law schools in the US and Canada.
EXPERIENCE New York
- Live in the financial capital of the world and reap the
benefits of its dynamic business and legal community.
- Work steps from Broadway, Times Square, Rockefeller
Center, picturesque Central Park and the finest
restaurants in the world.
- Experience the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, dozens of
historical landmarks and beautiful bridges and buildings.
- Discover world renowned museums, the Cloisters,
South Street Seaport, Battery Park and the Bronx Zoo.
- See a Yankee or Mets game.
- Explore the most artistic and culturally diverse
neighborhoods in the world.
- Shop ‘til you drop in NYC!
For more information contact:
Lauryn Bronstein
Legal Recruiting Manager
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
San Francisco
Our San Francisco office opened in 1971. Since
2001, the San Francisco office has grown from
25 attorneys to approximately 50 attorneys. The
lawyers in our San Francisco office handle a wide
range of complex litigation and transactional
matters for local, regional, national and international
clients. We regularly handle high-profile matters
for some of the world’s largest corporations,
entrepreneurial businesses and government agencies.
Our lawyers work closely with one another and
with lawyers from the firm’s other offices, in order
to take advantage of the different areas of expertise
throughout the firm. As a result, the San Francisco
office offers both the collegial atmosphere of a
mid-size office and the unparalleled resources and
sophisticated practice of one of the world’s largest
law firms.
The San Francisco litigation lawyers handle all
forms of business litigation in federal and state
courts in the San Francisco Bay Area, throughout
the West Coast and across the country. Litigators
in the San Francisco office have experience and
expertise in a number of areas, including: antitrust;
appellate; business torts; class actions; commercial
contracts; consumer remedies; defamation; directors’
and officers’ liability; economic and regulatory;
false advertising; financial institutions; health care
litigation and regulatory; injunctions and other
emergency litigation; internal investigations;
intellectual property; labor and employment; patent
litigation; product liability; real estate; RICO;
securities fraud; telecommunications; trade secrets;
and unfair competition.
The corporate lawyers in the San Francisco office
have experience in a wide variety of practice
areas, including: corporate finance and securities;
mergers and acquisitions; corporate governance;
ivestment products and derivatives; securitization
and structured finance; and public finance. Our
corporate finance and securities practice is part of
a firm-wide practice that is consistently ranked
among the top practices by Thomson Financial.
Our public finance practice has long represented
government entities, public agencies and utilities,
and non-for-profit institutions. Our securitization
practice is part of a firm-wide practice that has
been on the forefront in the development of
transactional structures for numerous asset classes.
We have a tradition of being firmly committed to
the professional development of each lawyer in
offices throughout the firm. To assist in making the
transition from law student to lawyer, we give our
new associates a broad range of practical, hands-on
experiences. We also have a mentor program in
which each new associate is paired with a lawyer
advisor to help promote professional growth and
development at the firm.
We are especially proud of the dedication that our
lawyers have demonstrated to the community. In
addition to our extensive pro bono activities, the
San Francisco office has created two significant
Public Interest Fellowship programs with boh the
Stanford and Boalt law schools. Through these
efforts, we have provided needed resources to low-
income individuals and nonprofit organizations.
The San Francisco office along with Los Angeles
offices, also serve as a focal point of the firm’s
Pacific Rim and international practices. Attorneys
in San Francisco and Los Angeles often collaborate
with attorneys in our five Asian offices (Beijing,
Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo) and in
our Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva and London offices
to provide a fully integrated practice dedicated to
servicing our clients’ needs, including international
arbitrations and business transactions.
Our summer associate program is an invaluable
window into our practice and firm culture. We
provide our summer associates with something
priceless – experience. As a summer associate, you
will be able to select projects that interest you and
then perform legal work under the supervision of
our attorneys. Such direct participation enables you
to observe the way Sidley Austin’s attorneys help
to solve problems and create opportunities for our
clients.
Highlights of the summer program include:
Summer associate work assignments are generally
real projects for clients of the firm that would
otherwise be performed by associates. We give our
summer associates substantial flexibility to choose
assignments that reflect their own individual and
professional interests. Many summer associates
choose to explore projects from a variety of our
work groups, while others choose to emphasize one
or two particular practice areas. Summer associates
will also have opportunities to attend and observe
our attorneys in various “real life” activities such
as client conferences, court hearings, depositions,
interviews, negotiations, due diligence and closings.
We believe that an essential component of our
summer program is the opportunity that we
provide summer associates to learn and develop
their professional skills. Our training includes
detailed reviews of each summer associate’s work
product, as well as more formal training programs.
We also assign mentors to provide guidance to our
summer associates.
EXPERIENCE San Francisco
- Practice law in a world class city – the nation’s
technology center and the gateway to Asia.
- Live in the Bay Area – one of the most beautiful places in
the world.
- Enjoy hiking trips at Mt. Tamalpais
- Explore the vineyards of Sonoma and Napa Valley.
- Discover our beautiful beaches and the Pacific Coast
along Highway One.
- Take in a Giants game at AT&T Park.
- Explore the many diverse neighborhoods, including the
nation’s oldest Chinatown.
- Enjoy our world renowned restaurants.
For more information contact:
Yvonne L. Millette
Legal Recruiting
Sidley Austin LLP
555 California Street, Suite 2000
San Francisco, CA 94104
Washington DC
Our 234-lawyer Washington, DC office handles
a wide range of complex civil, criminal and
administrative litigation, and domestic and
international transactions and arbitrations. We
represent regulated entities before virtually every
agency of the federal government, including the
Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal
Communications Commission, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, the Federal Reserve Board,
the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal
Trade Commission, the Office of the Comptroller
of the Currency, the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and the Surface Transportation
Board. Our office has represented clients before
the Supreme Court in some of the most significant
constitutional cases of the last decade and has
represented political figures and others in prominent
and sensitive white-collar matters through all stages
of the investigative and criminal process.
Lawyers in our office have developed innovative
and cutting-edge solutions to many of the high-
technology issues that have become increasingly
central to the nation’s economy, including those
involving cyberlaw and e-commerce, as well as
broadband and telecommunications. We represent
pharmaceutical and biotech companies in patent
litigation, and foreign companies and governments
in international trade disputes. Our office also
boasts one of the most prominent securities and
financial services practices in the Washington area,
representing local, national and international clients
on a variety of matters.
Perhaps unique among law offices of our size,
the Washington office does not assign litigation
associates to formal practice areas, but instead uses
a free market assignment system where associates
can choose to work on a wide range of litigation
matters. We encourage associates who wish to do
so to try a variety of different types of work during
their first several years in order to identify practice
areas that best suit their talents and interests. Our
office also prides itself on fostering and maintaining
a culture of collegiality in which lawyers at all
levels treat each other, and staff, with a friendly and
genuine respect.
“Whether you came in hoping to do projects
in many different practice areas or you came
in wanting to work in only one, the summer
committee did a great job of making sure you got
the sort of work experience you were looking for.”
Gayatri Rao
Penn
2004 Summer Associate
Summer Program
The aim of Sidley Austin’s Summer Program is to
provide summer associates with a preview of what
it is like to be an associate in the Washington, DC
office. Our policy, therefore, is to hire as summer
associates only those students whom we hope will
become associates after graduation or a clerkship,
and whom we expect to advance successfully
toward partnership. Accordingly, we invest a great
deal of time in the hiring process and in our
Summer Program, giving careful consideration to
all relevant aspects of a student’s background
and academic performance. Similarly, we seek to
provide students a preview of what it is like to be
an associate in the Washington, DC office. Summer
associates perform work that would otherwise be Development
handled by associates, and we expect our summer
associates to have opportunities to work with senior Our reputation for excellence is built upon a
associates and partners. foundation of hiring the best people and providing
them with outstanding training. We are dedicated to
Highlights of the summer program include: ongoing professional development, with offerings
- You will have the flexibility to choose assignments that include:
that reflect your individual interests. You may take
- A firmwide orientation program for new associates.
on assignments from different practice areas, or you
can focus your work on one particular area. Summer
- A Trial Advocacy Training Program designed to help
associates are also encouraged to get involved in
pro bono matters.
associates improve oral advocacy skills through
presentations and mock trials.
- We make every effort to ensure that you have the oppor-
tunity to be involved in client conferences, negotiations, - A mentoring program in which new associates are
witness interviews, depositions and court hearings. paired with more senior lawyers.
- You will be given the opportunity to participate in more - Training programs approved for state CLE credit.
formal legal training opportunities, including a litig-
ation skills training program and an appellate advocacy - Seminars on legal writing, financial analysis and
training program (both of which are taught by practicing mock closings.
lawyers and culminate in trial and appellate exercises).
- The Annual Corporate College for new associates in
- We will assign you an associate mentor and a work
transactional groups.
advisor. Each summer associate will receive formal
reviews at the midpoint and at the end of the program. - The Annual Mid-Level Associates Conference for
fifth-year associates, focusing on issues such as
- You will attend informative breakfast and lunch
meetings with members of the firm and guest speakers, client relationships, professional development and
practice development.
including clients and government officials.
- You will be invited to attend frequent social events in the
All associates are hired with the hope and
area, so that you can get to know not only our lawyers,
expectation that they will find working at Sidley
but also the city of Washington.
Austin a rewarding experience, and that in time
EXPERIENCE WASHINGTON DC they will be considered for partnership. As a
benchmark for professional development and
- Work in the nation’s capital, a city rich in history, with an
advancement toward partnership, associates are
unparalleled legal and business community.
evaluated on a twice-yearly basis.
- Attend professional basketball, baseball, soccer, and
tennis events.
The firm’s policy regarding compensation and
- Enjoy world-class museums, art galleries, and theaters.
development also includes:
- Experience international dining, a vibrant nightlife, and
- Performance-based salary distinctions for most mid-
trendy shopping settings.
level and senior associates.
- Run the Mount Vernon trail, bike the C & O Canal, kayak
the Potomac River, or hike through Great Falls. - Bonuses that reflect and reward associates’
contributions to the firm.
- Get away on weekends to the beaches of Maryland, the
small towns of the Chesapeake Bay, or the Blue Ridge - Consideration for partnership an average of eight years
Mountains of Virginia, all within a 2 hours drive from the city.
after law school.
For more information contact:
Amy Mason,
Legal Recruiting Manager
Sidley Austin LLP
1501 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
Community
Civic and Charitable Involvement
We have always given back to the communities in which we practice. The firm directly and through our
individual partners and associates annually contributes to pro bono, civic and charitable institutions.
Adopt-A-Family
American Heart Association
American Cancer Society Daffodil Day
American Heart Association Heartwalk
American Heart Association Lawyers Have Heart race
American Heart Association Loose Change Days
American Cancer Society Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer
Attorneys Serving the Community
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Chicago Association of Law Librarians School
Supplies Drive
Chicago Cares Serve-A-Thon
Children’s Cancer Research Fund
Children’s Hospital Center in the District
Cristo Rey Corporate Sponsorship Program
Dallas Bar Association High School mock trial program
Downtown Women’s Center
Environmental Law Institute
Everybody-Wins Reading Program
Family in Need
Glass Slipper Project
Habitat for Humanity
Heifer International
Huckleberry House Book Drive
Hustle Up the Hancock
Kanoon Elementary School
Secret Santa Breast Cancer Walk
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Spina Bifida Association of America
Step Up for Kids
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School
Kidd’s Kids
St. Joseph’s Carondelet Child Center
Lambda Legal
Thurgood Marshall School Moot Courts
Las Familias del Pueblo
United Way
Legal Aid Society
Walk to Cure Juvenile Diabetes
Legal Counsel for the Elderly
Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and
Leukemia Society Urban Affairs
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training® Diversity
Program
Sidley Austin is committed to achieving greater
Loyola University Chicago Center for Ethics and racial and ethnic diversity, not only for our firm but
Social Justice within the legal profession as a whole. Toward this
end, we focus a significant portion of our outreach
Lupus Foundation of America
efforts on the recruitment, hiring and retention of
Multiple Sclerosis Walk diverse lawyers. Beginning with the firm’s creation
of a Task Force on Minority Recruitment and
Multiple Sclerosis 150 Bike Ride
Retention more than a decade ago, Sidley has
National Veterans Legal Services Program been one of the most prominent and progressive
proponents of law firm diversity. Many of our
Navy Marine Corp Relief Society
lawyers come from diverse backgrounds, races and
New York Cares beliefs. Our mission is to attract and retain lawyers
of varied backgrounds who meet our high standards
North Texas Food Bank
of excellence and reflect the global marketplace that
One Voice we serve.
Partnership with Thomson Elementary Recent diversity achievements include:
Presidential Classroom - Winner of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s
Thomas L. Sager Award in 2003 and 1999, which
Race Judicata
recognizes law firms that have demonstrated a
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago sustained commitment to improve the hiring, retention
and promotion of minority attorneys.
SPCA of North Texas
- Designated by Sara Lee Corporation as a “Sara Lee
School Supplies for local elementary Preferred Partners” for 2004 and 2003 based on the
firm’s overall superior quality of legal services and its
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation proven commitment to diversity.
Samuel Goldwyn Hollywood Library book drive
- Honorable Mention – 2004 Western Region Thomas
L. Sager Award awarded by Minority Corporate
Santa’s Helpers - Toys for Tots
Counsel Association.
The firm has also created several minority
scholarship funds, including the Wiley A. Branton
Scholarship which is awarded annually to the
highest-ranking student in the first-year class at
Howard University Law School. The late Mr.
Branton, a noted civil rights activist, was a partner in
our firm from 1983 until his death in 1988.
Whether through firmwide mentoring programs
or encouraging our diverse lawyers to be active
in a variety of bar associations, our lawyer
retention efforts have been implemented with the
same enthusiasm and zeal that characterize our
recruitment. Sidley has formed productive coalitions
with minority bar associations and community
organizations. In addition to sponsoring events
that allow our diverse lawyers increased exposure
and dialogue with the firm’s leadership, Sidley has
created mentoring initiatives to assist our diverse
associates with the development of legal skills and
client relationships.
Through our ongoing dedication to recruiting,
retaining and promoting diverse lawyers who meet
our high standards, Sidley aims to continue as a
leader in providing equal opportunity and access to
people of all backgrounds, races and beliefs. Sidley
was one of six law firms profiled by Lawrence
Graham in The Best Companies for Minorities:
Employers Across America Who Recruit, Train, and
Promote Minorities.
Women & Leadership
Sidley Austin has been successful in recruiting,
retaining and promoting women attorneys. The firm
has more than 80 women partners who practice in
litigation, real estate, estate planning, corporate and
securities, banking and finance, tax and employee
benefits, product liability, environmental, intellectual
property, commodities and many other areas of
the law. Firmwide, there are nearly 500 women
attorneys.
The firm is one of two recipients of the 2005
Catalyst Award, which is given annually by Catalyst,
the leading research and advisory organization
dedicated to expanding opportunities for women
and business.
Part of our success in recruiting and retaining
women derives from the firm’s flexible policy
regarding part-time work. A number of our
colleagues have practiced law on a part-time basis
for an extended period of time. The firm has
promoted several women to partnership while they
practiced law part-time.
We have also put an extensive mentoring network
into place, building and expanding relationships
among women partners and associates within
the same fields, as well as across different areas
of practice. In addition, the firm has instituted
a number of programs and policies designed to
create practice development opportunities for our
women attorneys, including a series of seminars
known as the “Women and Leadership” series.
The Committee on the Retention and Promotion
of Women, spearheaded by Kathleen L. Roach and
Laurin Blumenthal Kleiman, seeks to ensure that
the firm’s policies on these important issues are
reflective of the firm’s goals of promoting its
female attorneys.
Pro Bono
Sidley Austin has a long tradition of and
commitment to pro bono work. The firm backs up
its commitment by recognizing and rewarding the
contributions that its lawyers make to pro bono
matters. Pro bono work at Sidley Austin provides
associates with opportunities to supplement their
technical skills and to broaden their experiences,
to work on matters and in practice areas they find
interesting and personally fulfilling, and to help
satisfy our professional obligations as individuals and
as a firm.
Some of the firm’s pro bono work includes:
Child custody cases
Civil rights cases
Corporate, tax and real estate work for community
organizations
Criminal appeals and petitions for habeas corpus
Intellectual property
Landlord/tenant cases organization’s economic resources or would be
otherwise inappropriate.
Matters involving battered women and children’s rights
Political asylum cases Our Commitment
Consistent with our ABA commitment, 60 hours
Public benefits cases
of an associate’s pro bono work will automatically
Public education issues be credited to the hours target used for bonus
purposes. The intent of this provision is not to set a
Specific matters in which our attorneys are engaged
limit on pro bono work. Additional pro bono hours
vary widely and reflect the differing interests of
will be credited to the hours target provided that
those in each office. Matters are referred to the firm
an associate’s commitment of substantial time to a
on a regular basis by the American Civil Liberties
particular pro bono matter in excess of 60 hours is
Union, the AIDS Legal Council, Public Counsel,
approved in advance by a practice group head or
the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center, the Lawyers’
office managing partner. Each of our US offices has
Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and similar
a Pro Bono Committee to assist in identifying and
organizations. Other matters are brought into
staffing potential pro bono opportunities.
the firm through its neighborhood clinic and by
individual attorneys who learn of people in need
of legal assistance who cannot afford to retain a
competent lawyer.
ABA Law Firm Challenge
Over the past several years, we have joined other
leading law firms throughout the United States
in subscribing to the American Bar Association
Statement of Principles on pro bono work. Among
other things, we have agreed to use our best efforts
to contribute annually in pro bono work an amount
of time equal to 3 percent of the firm’s total billable
hours. This works out to an average of about 60
hours per lawyer per year. In order to reach this
goal, each lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP is strongly
urged to spend some time on pro bono matters
during the year.
What is Pro Bono Work?
The ABA defines “pro bono work” to include (i)
the delivery of legal services to persons of limited
means or to organizations which serve persons of
limited means, (ii) the provision of legal services
to secure or protect civil rights and (iii) the
provision of legal assistance to charitable, religious,
civic, community, governmental, professional or
educational organizations in matters in furtherance
of their organizational purposes, where the payment
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