THE FIRM: Sidley Austin LLP, with offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia and approximately 2,300 lawyers, is one of the largest law firms in the world. Our diversified global practice encompasses the entire spectrum of corporate, transactional, litigation and governmental matters. Nationwide and throughout the world, Sidley Austin LLP prides itself on the breadth of its practice and the quality of its representation of an extraordinary client base, including many of the world's leading industrial enterprises, financial institutions, professional firms, health care providers and media and communications companies, as well as governmental and public entities and sovereign nations.

Sidley’s Los Angeles office, established in 1980, is one of the largest law offices in Los Angeles County. Having advised clients in California for more than three decades, we have a deep understanding of the local issues businesses face here. Sidley’s Century City office, established in 2015 by veteran lawyers, is an important extension of the firm’s decades-long commitment to the Los Angeles market, as well as to its strategy of having offices in important business hubs around the world. From groundbreaking regional startups and global Fortune 500 companies to major banks and investment firms, our lawyers provide high-quality and insightful legal advice across numerous industries. The firm’s culture of teamwork and collaboration helps the Greater Los Angeles offices to assist clients in myriad legal disciplines and to harness the talents of Sidley’s lawyers across four continents.

NEW ASSOCIATES: Generally, new associates are assigned to a work group based on their interest. In addition to a firm-wide orientation, each of the practice groups provide additional group-specific orientation and training, with the support of the Greater Los Angeles offices’ learning and development staff. Other opportunities include the Litigation Skills Program and "Corporate College." Associates are encouraged to assume significant responsibility early in their careers, and we engage in detailed, semiannual reviews of each associate's performance, progress toward partnership, and overall growth as an attorney.

BUILT TO LEAD: In 2022, Sidley launched Built to Lead, its groundbreaking associate leadership and executive development program uniquely designed to deepen associates’ business acumen and leadership abilities.The program strives to prepare associates to rise to the challenges that clients face in an increasingly complex and dynamic global business environment—helping our associates better understand our clients and speak the language of business.  Beginning in associates’ fourth year of practice, Built to Lead features MBA-level executive training at top U.S. business schools, along with professional development and personal career and business development coaching opportunities. Built to Lead also includes title changes, to Managing Associates (4th-year associates) and Senior Managing Associates (7th-year associates), in recognition of the increased managerial responsibilities at those career stages. Built to Lead serves as a key part of Sidley’s comprehensive approach to associate development. No matter where their careers may lead—whether ascending to partnership at Sidley, moving to an in-house or public service role, or pursuing another path—Sidley associates will be better prepared to succeed as the next generation of legal, business, and civic leaders.

SUMMER PROGRAM: Our summer program is individualized because at Sidley we understand that each person is unique. Each candidate’s summer experience is curated by a team of two Sidley lawyers assigned only to that summer associate, with significant input from the summer associate. This team, typically made up of an experienced Sidley lawyer and a more junior associate, provides direct access to all of our varied practice groups and ensures that the summer associate gets real client work in the areas of law they choose to explore. The team structure also provides practical guidance to assist in the transition from law school into the practice of law. In addition to interesting client work, our summer program includes a variety of engaging events that deliver additional genuine opportunities to connect with the people in the Greater Los Angeles Sidley family. All aspects of our program have been carefully designed to further our ultimate goal – to provide each summer associate with an authentic understanding of life and work as a Sidley associate.