Gold Sponsor

About Sidley Austin LLP

www.sidley.com

More than 150 years after the founding of our firm, Sidley today comprises a diverse group of legal professionals from many cultures who are dedicated to teamwork, collaboration and superior client service. Forging enduring relationships with the business community, while remaining attuned to the dynamic legal landscape, we understand and work to fulfill the needs of our global clients. We are proud to serve this varied and high-caliber group of market leaders, many of whom are pioneers in their respective industries and professions.

Leadership in Law

The firm has built a reputation for successfully representing clients on complex transactional, regulatory and litigation matters spanning a range of legal areas. From our offices in the commercial, financial and regulatory centers of the world, we harness our knowledge to provide thoughtful advice for the myriad legal and business challenges that our clients face. We operate over 15 leading practices from 21 offices on four continents across the globe and are proud to count much of the Fortune 100 as part of our client roster.

Committed to Positive Change

We strongly believe in creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds by retaining and promoting outstanding lawyers who reflect the global marketplace and communities that we serve. Our dedication to achieving greater diversity and inclusivity extends beyond our firm to the legal profession as a whole. We are passionate about making a meaningful impact by fostering positive change in many ways. Through our four firmwide pro bono projects, our lawyers and staff devote more than 100,000 hours annually to pro bono work, playing a vital role in people’s lives around the world. In addition, we partner with several charitable organizations as part of our corporate responsibility program, enabling our professionals to contribute their talents to a variety of volunteer projects that benefit communities in need.

Why did you decide to become a NBA-CLS sponsor?

Sidley became a sponsor of NBA-CLS because we want to continue to support and partner with external organizations that share in our mission to increase opportunities for groups that are historically underrepresented in the legal profession.  Our support of such organizations ranges from longstanding financial sponsorship to active collaboration on pipeline and recruiting initiatives, pro bono opportunities, service on the board of directors of organizations, community outreach/service, and much more.  We are pleased that Sidley partner Doreen Rachal, among other Sidley lawyers, is an active NBA member and leader.  We look forward to continuing to actively engage with the NBA.

Additional Information

Our culture and approach to DEI is designed to build the firm’s diversity, strengthen our inclusive culture, and provide opportunities that enable women and lawyers of diverse backgrounds to thrive in the profession. Representative firm DEI policies, programs, and initiatives include: (1) law school mentorship and other pipeline programs; (2) best-in-class professional development training; (3) mentorship programs specific to the career advancement needs of women lawyers and lawyers of diverse backgrounds; (4) programs to monitor and ensure access to skill-building work and client relationships; (5) internal educational programs on unconscious bias, wellness, and work-life resources; (6) strategic business development campaigns and capital investments for women partners and partners of diverse backgrounds; (7) a billable hour credit policy that awards associates and counsel up to 50 bonus-eligible hours for work on qualifying activities that promote the advancement of the firm’s DEI efforts; and (8) partnerships with firm clients to further support the development of women and lawyers of diverse backgrounds, as well as staffing inclusive client-service teams.  

On May 12-14, 2022, Sidley hosted approximately 80 of its global Black lawyers for a hugely successful two-day in-person retreat in Los Angeles.  The retreat included a mix of presentations by firm leaders, including members of our Management and Executive Committees, various sessions with a number of Black general counsels of major companies, programs focused on tips/best practices for enhancing professional and business development skills, and a fair amount of fellowship and networking.  Similar retreats will be held later this year and next for other affinity groups. 

July 2022 Attorney Spotlights