Sidley Austin Celebrates 50 Years in Washington

Washington, D.C. – Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that 2013 marks its 50^th year in Washington, D.C. The firm and its lawyers are proud to have been an integral part of the city’s fabric for 50 years and remain committed to continuing to help make D.C. a better place through community service and involvement.

“From the time the firm first opened its doors here, our lawyers made a commitment not only to our clients and to the practice, but also to the broader D.C. community,” said Mark Hopson, managing partner of Sidley’s Washington, D.C. office. “Over the past 50 years we have embraced that commitment through dedicated service to many local institutions and causes, and through our pro bono service to D.C. residents. I believe that our combined efforts have made a very positive contribution. ”

Sidley has grown to be one of the city’s largest law firms, home to nearly 290 lawyers and other professionals, and is now ranked by Vault as one of the top 10 law firms in Washington. The comprehensive regulatory, litigation and policy services offered in Washington are integrated into Sidley’s broad global practice to optimize service to our domestic and international clients. Many of Sidley’s D.C.-based lawyers are recognized as leaders in their respective fields. In 2012, US News & World Reportrated 28 D.C. practice areas among the top in the region, and 40 of our D.C. partners are recognized in Chambers USA. 

The lawyers and staff in Sidley’s D.C. office have formed long-lasting partnerships with several D.C.-based organizations. For example, Sidley has worked closely with the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program’s Advocacy and Justice Clinic for 20 years helping hundreds of clients in landlord-tenant, disability benefits and family law cases. The firm also assisted in the founding of the D.C. Bar’s Graduate Fellowship Program, which offers recent law school graduates the opportunity to do legal work for local public interest agencies post graduation. Additionally, Sidley has staffed the Landlord Tenant resource Center of the D.C. Superior Court since 2009. And in conjunction with the Legal Aid Society of D.C. the firm helped launch a program through which Sidley associates are loaned to the Society for an extended period of time to provide service to individuals who otherwise could not afford legal assistance.

Beyond supporting important causes within the legal community, Sidley lawyers and staff also volunteer in a variety of programs throughout the D.C. area. Each year the D.C. office holds a Service Week, which is just one example of how the lawyers and staff enthusiastically engage in community involvement. Service Week activities have ranged from working at local soup kitchens, donating blood and making sandwiches for distribution by the Salvation Army, to helping undocumented individuals apply for permanent residence in the U.S. and donating money and other essential items to a local homeless outreach center. The firm also participates in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, providing clothing and toys to families in need. In addition, Sidley also holds an annual clothing drive to benefit Dress for Success and several individuals from its D.C. office work at Miriam’s Kitchen staffing its meal program each month.

“The lawyers and staff in D.C. recognize that we are an integral part of this community and thus take pride in giving back to those in need who live here,” said Carter Phillips, co-chair of Sidley’s Executive Committee. “We are honored to commemorate 50 years in D.C. but even prouder of our 50 years of service to our neighbors, colleagues and friends all aimed at improving the D.C. area.”

With approximately 1,700 lawyers in 18 offices worldwide, Sidley has built a reputation as a premier legal advisor for global businesses and financial institutions. For the third consecutive year, Sidley received the most first-tier national rankings of any U.S. law firm in the 2013 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” survey, making it the only law firm to receive this recognition since the survey’s inception. Sidley was also named the U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Law Firm of the Year” in both Commercial Litigation and Securities/Capital Markets Law in the 2013 survey. On Law360’s list of Global 20 Firms, Sidley was ranked among the top 10 law firms with the greatest global reach and expertise. To stay up-to-date with the latest Sidley news, please follow us on Twitter at @SidleyNewsroom.