Sidley Austin LLP

Training & Assignments

• “Work-related aspects of my firm’s summer associate program were excellent. We had quality substantive work and were trained well by our mentors.”
• “I was provided with substantive work and was asked to present my research/memos to the lead partners on the case. I also had two associate mentors who made sure I got to work on different matters that I was interested in.”
• “I was a summer during the pandemic when we were completely remote. We had a mix of training-related assignments (which allowed us to work one on one on our legal writing with partners in the appellate group) and substantive assignments. It was a nice balance.”
• “Frankly, I think the most important part of an associate’s training is senior attorneys being willing to meet to discuss assignments at the outset of a project. Sidley put on some great general training programs, but the biggest impact on my training was when assigning attorneys were willing to sit with me to discuss a project and to deliver feedback.”

Social Opportunities

• “My experience was socially distanced, but the firm still managed to have almost weekly events ranging from cooking classes to virtual escape rooms. Attorneys participated as well as summers, and it was a good chance to get to know people despite the lack of in-person contact.”
• “The social aspects were well rounded. We were provided summer mentors to have more sustained, one on one engagement with over the summer, and then assigned to associate ‘families’ that became our social base for smaller, more bespoke social events during the summer. The larger social events were well organized, featured junior and senior attorneys, and provided an opportunity to get to know the other summers.”
• “The program was shortened and fully remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I think that the firm did the best that it could to facilitate interactions under the circumstances.”
• “My summer class was very close throughout the summer, attending firm events and our own happy hours/group chats. Sidley clearly encourages attorneys to attend summer programming and I was able to meet many attorneys in my group at events.”

Associate Experience vs. Summer Expectations

• “It has been pretty much expected. Obviously, I have more work now than over the summer, but it is not too overwhelming and is in line with my expectations.”
• “The major difference between my summer experience and practicing as a first year is how much more responsibility I have to find my own work—there is no ‘project board’ for associates. I have been pleased with my substantive opportunities even as a first year and find that they align with my expectations after my summer.”
• “The workload. Our summer internship happened during the hottest corporate legal market in recent memory. Associates and partners were working around the clock. By the time we graduated law school and started working, [the economy had changed], resulting in less work.”

Favorite Summer Events

• “Hamilton, the midsummer party, and ax throwing.”
• “The social events at the end of the work day were a lot of fun—and the unofficial social get-togethers were a blast. My favorite was probably a dinner we all had with a partner at the end of the summer, where we all received offers and were able to meet in person.”
• “Destination Sidley where we had a scavenger hunt, happy hour at Three Dots and a Dash, dinner at RPM, etc.”

When you are at the top of your game, you have options. The challenge is choosing a law firm that will provide you with the resources and critical work experience that will help take your career to the next level. Sidley does just that. Our summer program offers students the best of both worlds: the prestige of working at an elite AmLaw firm with $2.9 billion in revenue coupled with the cultural heritage that comes with 157 years of legal experience. Summer associates will work on a variety of assignments — billable and pro bono — while collaborating with elite lawyers from many different nationalities and backgrounds, and who speak more than 60 languages. You will be given a comprehensive view of the firm’s 50+ practice areas, working on substantive matters for high-caliber clients, including the 75 Fortune 100 companies we served in 2022. Through a robust professional-development curriculum, you will have access to comprehensive continuing education, skills training, career-development, and well-being resources.