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Overview

One contributor complains of the "very narrow focus" of Sidley's City arm – presumably a reference to a respected securitisation and structured finance team that looms large over the firm's London practice. The reader draws attention to a "lack of infrastructure" in other aspects of the office – such as a corporate/commercial team he describes as "non-existent".

However, not everyone takes such a negative view of a firm that has built a 100-lawyer London practice.

"Sidley London is still a niche practice, but it does very well in that niche," says one poster. "[It has a] good market reputation and is seen on lots of deals. I would guess that it is very profitable."

"Sidley is a well-rounded, well-paying place to work," adds another contributor. "Office infrastructure is very good with a private kitchen where associates can order from in the evenings (aside from the on-site restaurant) and there is very good document processsing/secretarial support."

However, one Sidley insider points to a lack of precedents and training, observing: "It's scary how much free drafting goes on."

History

Culture

There are some sharply contrasting views on this issue, with one unhappy contributor claiming the culture at Sidley could be more congenial – he cites this as a factor in a "high attrition rate" at the London office.

However, another reader counters that suggestion, claiming instead that "actually attrition rates [at] Sidley are much lower than at most magic circle and US firms".

He continues: "I have been there for quite some time and people don't leave that frequently compared to other US and magic circle." As he notes, "they pay very well" – which is likely to have at least some positive impact on staff retention.

"I don't know how the comparison was made," counters one Sidley insider with an altogether different viewpoint, "but the attrition rate is very high and much more noticeable in a relatively small office."

"Partners are very responsive to you and actually listen when you have problems," argues another contributor. "The mentoring scheme is also very useful in case you don't want to talk to the partner(s) you are work with."

Another Sidley insider is also positive. He says: "The firm provides a challenging and demanding environment, but it is also a happy and collegiate place to work. The financial rewards are attractive it is true, but there is more – it is, after all, the place where I trained, qualified, met my wife and introduced my new daughter to the world."

Big salaries and the promise of true love – what more could you want in a law firm? An early finish perhaps?

"Average working hours are good," adds one Sidley associate who is impressed with the quality of work he has been given. "I joined a US firm expecting bad hours and was pleasantly surprised."

Key departments

As noted above, securitisation and structured finance are key strengths of what is one of the largest London offices of a US firm. Indeed, "the finance practice is stellar," says one contributor who works at the firm.

"I was alarmed to read that as a lawyer in Sidley Austin's corporate practice I am 'non-existent'," adds one on-message Sidley associate. "Someone should tell my wife immediately – not to mention my 30+ colleagues here in the London corporate group."

He adds: "While it is true that [Sidley's structured finance team] tends to overshadow the firm's strengths elsewhere, the reader can be assured that Sidley has a fully rounded and rapidly expanding corporate-commercial practice of great quality and experience."

He continues: "The corporate group, already noted for its cross-border M&A and capital markets expertise, has growing strengths in private equity [and] specialist M&A sectors such as the hotel and leisure industry and consumer finance. Add to this Sidley's bluechip European competition and insurance practices and one wonders in what way the firm is 'lacking in infrastructure'."

Well, that clears that up. Or does it?

"There are UK partners in corporate but – to quote one of them – "we just do not have the deal-flow"," replies one contributor. "There are not 30 fee earners in corporate. And if you take out those doing capital markets, you're left with very few who do M&A or CoCo work. The real estate partners do real estate finance essentially and not pure real estate too. London is a debt finance firm, full-stop."

This debate could run and run.

He continues: "And the finance practice is not stellar throughout. It's very focused. There are not stellar projects, asset or other finance departments. It's just securitisation, debt capital markets and property finance. The EC practice is just in Brussels and is new and small, especially compared to other firms with an established practice in London too. And the insurance group is new and small too. It's wrong to call them 'bluechip'."

National/international coverage

Key clients

Leading partners

Career prospects

Salaries

One reader speaks for several others when he says he considers Sidley to be a firm that pays "amazingly well".

However, that may not tell the whole story.

"Pay was reluctantly – and after most others – dragged up to the bottom of mid-Atlantic rates," claims one contributor. "The pay is not Skadden or Bingham rates."

Recruitment

Work-life balance

Diversity

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