Firm Background
With approximately 1,700 lawyers and other professionals working in a network of offices around the world, Sidley is a leading international law firm. Globally, we assist many different businesses, financial institutions, governments and individuals. As a trainee, you experience the international side of Sidley not through constant travel but by working on multi-jurisdictional matters and with people from around the world. We have a reputation for working on innovative complex transactions, which makes life here all the more interesting and challenging.
Employee Numbers
Approximately 1,100 lawyers practice on four continents (North America, Europe, Australasia and Asia). In London we have approximately 120 lawyers, including 40 partners.
Firm Culture
Sidley Austin combines the clients and work of a leading international law firm with the relaxed down to earth friendliness of a small office, offering the best of both worlds.
Promotion Opportunities
When trainees join Sidley we'd like it to be for the long term and we have an excellent track record of retaining trainees on qualification. It is our intention that trainees will stay at Sidley once qualified and continue developing with us all the way to partnership.
Legal Training
Trainees are involved in real work from day one and gain experience of working for a number of people on different matters.
A formal training programme of approximately 24 sessions is run by a dedicated team of Professional Support Lawyers over the course of the two year training contract. The sessions are technical but with a practical edge and focus on things that trainees are likely to encounter as a trainee at Sidley Austin.
Trainees will also complete the Professional Skills Course and a number of elective options during the two years.
Travel Opportunities
Yes, one of the seat options is within the Competition group in our Brussels office. There are currently no plans to second trainees to any other offices as it is vital that they are trained in English law by an England and Wales qualified lawyer.
Attributes & Skills
We're looking for people who are bright, with outstanding academic qualifications. You'll need to have at least three A-levels (at least two A and one B grades), and have (or be expected to achieve) at least a 2.1 degree or equivalent (not necessarily in law).
Beyond pure academic ability, we’re looking for interested and interesting people. People who are genuinely interested in the commercial world.
Postgraduate Study
We welcome applications from those who have undertaken postgraduate study.
Areas of Legal Practice
Our main practice areas are:
- Corporate
- Competition
- Corporate Reorganisation & Bankruptcy
- Debt & Equity Capital Markets
- Debt Restructuring, Debt Finance & Structured Finance
- Employment
- Financial Services Regulatory
- Hedge Funds
- Insurance
- IP/IT
- Litigation
- Real Estate & Real Estate Finance
- Tax
Offices
Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dallas, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington D.C.
Starting Salary
£41,000 per annum in the first year and £43,000 in the second year.
Sponsorship
Yes. We offer financial assistance to our future trainees to take the GDL and the LPC courses. We pay the fees and also provide an annual maintenance grant of £7,000.
Firm Background
With approximately 1,700 lawyers and other professionals working in a network of offices around the world, Sidley is a leading international law firm. Globally, we assist many different businesses, financial institutions, governments and individuals. As a trainee, you experience the international side of Sidley not through constant travel but by working on multi-jurisdictional matters and with people from around the world. We have a reputation for working on innovative complex transactions, which makes life here all the more interesting and challenging.
Employee Numbers
Approximately 1,100 lawyers practice on four continents (North America, Europe, Australasia and Asia). In London we have approximately 120 lawyers, including 40 partners.
Firm Culture
Sidley Austin combines the clients and work of a leading international law firm with the relaxed down to earth friendliness of a small office, offering the best of both worlds.
Promotion Opportunities
When trainees join Sidley we'd like it to be for the long term and we have an excellent track record of retaining trainees on qualification. It is our intention that trainees will stay at Sidley once qualified and continue developing with us all the way to partnership.
Legal Training
Trainees are involved in real work from day one and gain experience of working for a number of people on different matters.
A formal training programme of approximately 24 sessions is run by a dedicated team of Professional Support Lawyers over the course of the two year training contract. The sessions are technical but with a practical edge and focus on things that trainees are likely to encounter as a trainee at Sidley Austin.
Trainees will also complete the Professional Skills Course and a number of elective options during the two years.
Travel Opportunities
Yes, one of the seat options is within the Competition group in our Brussels office. There are currently no plans to second trainees to any other offices as it is vital that they are trained in English law by an England and Wales qualified lawyer.
Attributes & Skills
We're looking for people who are bright, with outstanding academic qualifications. You'll need to have at least three A-levels (at least two A and one B grades), and have (or be expected to achieve) at least a 2.1 degree or equivalent (not necessarily in law).
Beyond pure academic ability, we’re looking for interested and interesting people. People who are genuinely interested in the commercial world.
Postgraduate Study
We welcome applications from those who have undertaken postgraduate study.
Areas of Legal Practice
Our main practice areas are:
- Corporate
- Competition
- Corporate Reorganisation & Bankruptcy
- Debt & Equity Capital Markets
- Debt Restructuring, Debt Finance & Structured Finance
- Employment
- Financial Services Regulatory
- Hedge Funds
- Insurance
- IP/IT
- Litigation
- Real Estate & Real Estate Finance
- Tax
Offices
Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dallas, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington D.C.
Starting Salary
£41,000 per annum in the first year and £43,000 in the second year.
Sponsorship
Yes. We offer financial assistance to our future trainees to take the GDL and the LPC courses. We pay the fees and also provide an annual maintenance grant of £7,000.
