Sidley Austin LLP

Sidley holds Band 1 rankings in Chambers USA for Life Sciences, Insurance, and Capital Markets. The firm's insurance practice is the largest and most recognized in the industry, advising carriers, reinsurers, and brokers on regulatory, transactional, and litigation matters. Its life sciences regulatory group handles FDA approvals, clinical trials, and pharmaceutical compliance for major companies. Sidley's capital markets team is deeply involved in public offerings, private placements, and structured finance transactions. The firm also maintains strong practices in M&A, appellate advocacy, and commercial litigation.

Sidley uses a free-market assignment system. Associates across offices report a friendly, caring culture where colleagues invest in junior lawyers' growth and development. Chambers Associate recognizes Sidley as a firm where associates feel supported and treated with respect. The firm provides formal mentoring through associate and partner mentors, along with practical training including writing seminars, mock trials, and mock negotiation exercises. Summer associates can choose their own assignments in most offices. The summer class is approximately 226 associates.

Sidley is perhaps best known culturally as the firm where Barack and Michelle Obama met, both worked there early in their legal careers. Other notable alumni include former White House Counsel Beth Nolan. The firm's Chicago roots give it a strong Midwestern identity, though its global expansion has made it one of the largest firms in the world by headcount.