The Legal Cheek View
As the firm that helped bring together one of the world’s most iconic power couples, Barack and Michelle Obama, Sidley Austin has a unique claim to fame. The Obamas’ love story began in Sidley’s Chicago office where Barack was a summer vac schemer and Michelle a junior associate (and his supervisor!).
In addition to being immortalised by the Obamas, the firm is one of the most well-known in the US and globally. Sidley Austin recently reported another year of growth, with global revenue increasing by 6% to $3.1 billion (£2.4 billion) and average profit per equity partner (PEP) rising by 10%, from $4.2 million (£3.3 million) to approximately $4.6 million (£3.6 million). This seven-figure PEP average significantly surpasses that of any Magic Circle firm.
Closer to home, Sidley’s London office is celebrating a decade of continuous growth. A 12% increase has taken the office’s total revenue to $209 million (£164 million). Amidst “disrupted” transactional markets, Sidley’s growing private equity and corporate practice has fuelled strong growth in the City, growth which has been bolstered by poaching top partners from the London offices of its US rivals.
Indeed, Sidley has doubled down on its financial flair in recent years, particularly in London where one insider reports that the “variety and complexity of the work” in corporate is “incredible”. But even if private equity-backed M&A isn’t your cup of tea, trainees assure us that there is still “fantastic work to do in every department”. Be advised that the quality can “vary between seats” — a common theme among many top firms — with one LC mole reporting that, in restructuring, “any interesting work is kept by associates whilst trainees are given endless business development”. The general rule, however, seems to be that “ability is rewarded with good work and responsibilities” and the small headcount makes for “far less grunt work than you might expect at trainee level at firms with greater headcount”.
This continued growth in the City is providing exciting new deals and good secondment opportunities. Jet-setting rookies might be interested hear that the firm offers a three-month stint in Brussels. Client secondments are also on the cards, with one trainee enjoying six months at a private equity fund and another at a Premier League football club.
As you might imagine, smaller teams also means that Sidley newbies are often taught by “being thrown in at the deep end” and, in true US fashion, “most training is done on-the-job”. Departments do, however, hold regular training sessions as well as lunchtime talks for trainees, and one insider informs us that “there is a good program of partner-led training and further opportunities to enrol in formal programmes”.
What really helps is that the small intake fosters a “less hierarchical vibe” and the whole office “truly adopts an open-door policy”, our sources tell us. Trainees are said to “work with partners on a daily basis” and one spy tells us that superiors “welcome, encourage even, associates approaching them with comments or concerns”. “Everyone is always open to chat for as long as I need and happy to discuss difficult and sometimes confronting topics”, another notes. Higher-ups also take the time to “directly mark up your work” and “talk through any questions you might have”.
So what about the fellow trainees? “They are one of the main reasons I enjoy my job and would find it difficult to go elsewhere” according to one happy insider. Another offers this assessment: “Being in one of the smaller teams here in London, it’s incredibly reassuring to know that each of the other associates in my team would be willing to offer advice, take something off my plate if I was too busy or even just cover for me if I need to pop out of the office. Those not in my team are also incredibly reliable — it’s definitely the sort of place where you can pick up the phone to someone and ask a question rather than having to send a formal email. 11/10 would pick them all as godparents.”
As is to be expected with elite firms “there are some very competitive individuals who go out of the way to try and get ahead” one source tells LC, but on the whole Sidley has “amazing people who genuinely care about my progression and happiness”.
We’re told that the firm has also recently reimplemented a budget for trainee socials and, in addition to the more informal events, hosts “an excellent summer party and Christmas do”. Trainees have the opportunity to go to a European Lawyers Conference and, this year, members of the firm’s LGBTQ+ network SidleyPride went on a retreat to Chicago!
As with any US law firm the hours are on the long side: “It’s tough initially and you need to learn to balance it out”, one trainee explains, “but once you are in the swing of things it becomes much easier.” We’re told that “it can be difficult to find or plan for a free evening during the week but weekends are generally left alone”. That being said, “it’s risky to book theatre tickets for a Friday night” one mole warns!
Experiences can differ across seats: “If you do a seat in corporate, expect to work later than 11pm every night and some weekends. If you do a seat in tax, you probably won’t work past 9pm.” Another insider notes, “ At the moment, it is good, but that is because it hasn’t been so busy. When it is busy, it can be bad. And there is, of course, always the feeling that you are ‘on call’, whether it is busy or not.”
Standard perks at Sidley range from private healthcare (including a free Headspace subscription), to a £400 annual gym allowance, in-house counselling, £60 monthly mobile phone allowance, free Deliveroo after 7pm and a taxi home if you’re burning the midnight oil. Better yet, one Sidley spy tells us there’s even a “£2k BD budget” for associates “even from NQ level” which keeps things interesting. Excellent remuneration also comes up trumps with trainees looking at a £175,000 pay package if they go on to qualify at the firm. The only real perk missing according to one rookie is a canteen.
“They do alright”, is the general consensus when it comes to tech at Sidley. Although “firm-issued laptops are generally good and IT is very responsive”, one respondent complains that Sidley’s document management system “looks like it was built for dial-up internet”. The firm has recently launched an AI monitor to help interested parties access the latest AI-related legal developments but lawyers on Sidley’s front-line are apparently themselves banned from using ChatGPT.
As for agile-working support, expect the usual IT hardware like a computer monitor and keyboard, as well as an office chair “if you ask”. Not that you’ll be needing it much as Sidley has mandated all lawyers to be in-office at least four days a week, with some teams reportedly demanding rookies to attend every day.
As part of its efforts to become greener, Sidley launched a unique apprenticeship covering, among other things, sustainability. While the opportunity doesn’t lead to qualification as a solicitor, at the end of the 20-month apprenticeship, the candidate will have gained a Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability diploma.
The firm has also recently funded the opening of VYBZ youth hub in London with aims to help over one thousand young people explore their talents and passions in a safe space, over the next five years.
The firm’s “phenomenal” London office — housed within the iconic ‘Can of Ham’ or the City’s 70 St Mary Axe — gets a major thumbs-up from rookies. A base for around 150 lawyers, it features large communal areas, standing desks, biker-friendly facilities (including plenty of showers and lockers), kitchenettes, a beautiful lobby with flowers, and even “very fancy” iPad coffee dispensers. The office even boasts enough space for partners, associates and even trainees to each have their own private offices. “If Carlsberg did offices…”, one source summarises.