Sidley Austin

Sidley Austin is one of the largest law firms in the world.

Founded in Chicago in 1866, Sidley has grown from a Midwestern firm into one of the world’s preeminent legal giants, with more than 2,300 lawyers spread across 21 offices worldwide, and global revenue of $3.7 billion.

Sidley’s presence stretches across all the major legal markets, with US strongholds in New York, Chicago and Washington D.C., and bases in all the key financial centres globally, including London, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

The firm’s London office, established way back in 1974, serves as an increasingly important hub for its European operations and plays a pivotal role in the firm's global strategy. The office is now home to over 150 lawyers, including more than 50 partners.

While Sidley may not command the same brand recognition in the UK as some of the Magic Circle firms, its reputation in the US is right up there with the likes of Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins and Skadden.

Widely regarded as edging closer to full-fledged "global elite" status, Sidley is firmly positioned alongside top-tier US rivals and is increasingly comparable to the most prestigious Magic Circle names on the international stage.

In the London market, Sidley is probably best known for its powerhouse banking and finance practice, advising banks, asset managers, private equity firms, and corporate borrowers on everything from regulatory compliance and restructuring matters, to high-yield bond issuances and derivatives and structured products.

The firm’s leveraged finance practice is perhaps its strongest card, handling big-ticket mandates with an increasing focus on private equity deals. It’s also a strategic priority for Sidley, reflected in a string of recent high-profile hires from top US rivals in London.

With its growing bench strength, the firm is positioning itself to compete head-to-head with the likes of Kirkland and Latham as the City’s go-to debt finance adviser on the largest buyouts.