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Satisfaction with Work

• "Within a commercial framework, the work is varied and ranges from advising on and negotiating corporate M&A transactions to more isolated tax advisory work. The department is sponsoring me to study for and sit the CTA exams next May, which should escalate me up the very steep curve. The department advises on three broad areas, including corporate, finance and funds work. So far I have mainly worked on the corporate side, but I hope to expand my experience." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "I think the learning curve is huge at Sidley Austin. Some departments are such that you learn nothing about their area of law on the GDL/LPC and as such, are thrown in at the deep end. There is, however, a great deal of support. I am sitting with a partner at the moment and this is not a rarity." -- Trainee
• "The quality of the work is excellent if you get involved in the correct transaction. However, I have found that in some seats you end up doing non-chargeable practice development work. In my international finance seat I managed my own transaction with very little partner support, although this was certainly being thrown in at the deep end, I did learn a lot. I’ve had chances to interact with both clients and colleagues in other offices from whom we get work. The nature of the deals we are exposed to range from multi-national securitisations to discrete research tasks and bibling." -- Trainee
• "Interaction with clients is limited for first year trainees. I have a lot of direct contact with partners who are approachable and have time to explain complex regulations to trainees. The nature of transactions and deals I am exposed to is of a high quality. The level of responsibility depends on a task, but may be very high." -- Trainee

• "There are currently very few junior associates at my firm – hence the work load can get out of hand at times. The quality of work varies hugely depending on the people you work with, from work that can be undertaken by a trainee (but is instead given to you) to work that just allows you to run with a matter." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "I am satisfied with the work I have been given. Being part of a smaller intake ensures you are given a broad range of work and lots of responsibility early on. I have had direct client contact, assisted on large transactions, as well as performing the usual trainee tasks such as drafting and due diligence." -- Trainee
• "The quality of work can vary a great deal, but there is generally an attitude in most departments towards providing the trainee with high quality work and opportunities for training. There is also a high level of contact with partners, and a proactive approach by a trainee towards getting work is usually rewarded. The level of interaction with clients can vary depending on which team you sit in, particularly in transactional seats, the level of client contact can be quite high." -- Trainee
• "With the downturn in the market, there has not been as much exposure as one would hope to have in their training to transactional work. However that being said, when there is a transaction, in my experience as a trainee, I have been given a fair amount of responsibility. This includes dealing directly with partners, liaising with the clients on a daily basis, and attending client meeting and negotiations with the other party's counsel." -- Trainee

What does your typical day at work involve?

• "It varies hugely, but generally involves corresponding with people within the firm and outside of it. Reviewing and drafting documents, performing due diligence, assisting with closing matters, etc." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "If I am working on a transaction, it can be mainly taken up with reviewing and drafting the tax clauses in the various agreements, having related discussions with the partner and often researching specific areas of tax law that are in point. Some days can be quite research-based, as I try to get to grips with some of the finer points of tax law, and so several hours can be spent in the books." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "It may sound like a cliché, but it is fair to say that there is not a ‘typical’ day at the office. It can range from dealing directly with clients on a transaction to conducting legal research for one's supervisor or other colleagues in the department." -- Trainee
• "A typical day at work involves checking your Blackberry before you leave home to see if anything has come in overnight and responding accordingly. Upon arriving at work, I usually scan email updates to check for any developments in the law which I or my supervisor should be aware of. I will then check with the team to progress any tasks which might require my assistance and action any instructions given. Tasks commonly involve due diligence or marking-up any transactional documents. In performing such tasks you will have to liaise with various groups within Sidley as well as the client directly. Trips to Companies House are a common occurrence as well as attending conference calls." -- Trainee

• "This varies from day to day, depending on the seat and the work that you have been given. Start at 9.30am, read through emails. Continue on with work you have been given. Update practice development database. Take on further work as and when required. Answer capacity emails from other departments. Lunch with other trainees at 1pm, outside at the moment. Back to work, quick coffee at 3.30/4pm. Work until 7pm. If busy, have to stay as required. This would involve dinner made to order by the firm chef and a taxi home around 10pm, latest I have stayed is 12.30am." -- Trainee
• "Depending on the seat it can involve, drafting agreements, conducting research and drafting advice to the client, conducting a closing, etc." -- Trainee
• "There is no typical day as a trainee, as much depends on the nature of ongoing projects and their state. Most often, a day will involve some legal research, organisation of files and documents or review thereof. Where possible, supervisors attempt to take trainees to meetings or conference calls with clients, or hearings at court, where applicable." -- Trainee
• "At the moment, I'm in the employment department. A typical working day includes: keeping up to date on case law judgements and any implementing legislation in areas of immigration, employment and pensions; assisting senior associates and partners in either employment disputes, research on areas of law, proof reading/making changes to/drafting documents; and attending internal training sessions or meetings over lunch." -- Trainee

Culture

• "As there are not a huge number of trainees, the trainee group is very tight and we have lunch together and sometimes drinks on a Friday. The firm does not arrange a whole heap of stuff for trainees, but nevertheless we are all good friends." -- Trainee
• "The firm holds various social events on a firm-wide scale, including a Christmas party and summer barbecues. Other firm-sponsored events include sending two teams to compete in the Manches Cup and weekly softball games in the summer. Otherwise, on an informal basis, I often go for drinks, lunch or dinner with those solicitors who joined the firm with me, or with members of my group." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "The firm's culture is quite relaxed and there is very much an ‘open-door’ policy at the firm. At every level, I have found all colleagues to be very approachable. As regards the social culture, there is not perhaps as strong a socialising culture as there may be at other firms. This may have something to do with the nature of the hours working at an American law firm, however, there are social functions and gatherings organised throughout the year, and trainee socialising is very much ad hoc." -- Trainee

• "The firm operates an ‘open-door’ policy which is genuine – you can ask anyone a question, whether they are the most junior associate or senior partner. The firm organises several firm events a year from the usual Christmas party, to an elaborate Halloween party and summer BBQs which make use of the lovely outdoor terrace. The trainees support each other and are very friendly, having smaller numbers means you really get to know one another very well. We regularly meet up for lunch in the canteen and try to organise work drinks, usually on a Friday evening." -- Trainee
• "Quite partner heavy, so generally you would report directly to a partner or a senior associate, everyone works well together and supports each other as much as possible, and we do socialise but not that frequently in big groups." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "There are a small number of trainees and as such, strong bonds are formed and support is offered all round. During the winter, socialising doesn't occur as much but come spring/summer there are lots of sporting activities and BBQS, etc. to indulge in." -- Trainee

Seats during the Training Contract

• "You are able to do one seat abroad in the Competition department in Brussels. You are able to sit in all departments of the firm and it is typical to do four seats. Recently, however, there have been a number of seats which have been divided into split seats (three months in two departments). In the run up to moving seats, you meet with a member of the HR team and outline which seats you would/would not like to sit in next." -- Trainee
• "Trainees typically do four seats, although some of the seats are for three months only (e.g., tax), giving trainees the option to work in a few more practice areas. The firm offers one seat abroad in our Brussels office. As a first year trainee, there is no choice for the first seat, which is allocated by the firm. There is, however, trainee input for the second and any later seats. While the process is a bit non-transparent, the firm attempts to accommodate trainees’ wishes as much as possible, and appears to do a good job at that." -- Trainee
• "4-6 seats. There are plenty of departments to choose from: Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Regulatory, Finance, Capital Markets, Corporate, Commercial, Competition, Insurance and Reinsurance, Employment and Tax. Depending on how popular your seat is, you have fairly good chances of getting your choices. The only seat abroad at the moment is Brussels (Competition and a tiny bit of WTO) – Sidley's may be an American firm, but no US seats for the time being..." -- Trainee

• "Trainees will sit in four seats over the course of the two year training contract. You can do seats in the following practice groups: Capital Markets; Competition (London and Brussels); Corporate and Securities (including employment); Corporate Reorganisation and Bankruptcy; Disputes Resolution; Hedge Funds; Insurance and Financial Services; International Finance Group; Financial Services Regulatory Group; and Tax. Second year trainees have priority in seat choices, but the firm will do its best to accommodate all the trainees' choices as far as possible. A six month seat in the Brussels office is available." -- Trainee
• "The seat rotation is divided into four departments, however there is an option to complete a spilt seat thereby effectively creating five seats. There are a variety of departments ranging from Corporate to Litigation, Finance, Tax, Property, Competition, Employment, Funds, Insurance and Capital Markets. There is the option to do a seat in the Brussels office, but there is not unfortunately the opportunity to do a seat in our Asian or American offices. The seat selection process can be opaque, and often you may not get your first choice. However, this is largely due to the number of trainees that can sit in a department along with the fact that, naturally, second year trainees must have priority over seat selections." -- Trainee

Partner / Solicitor Relations

• "We are kept informed by email, or through individual conversations with the partners we work under. There is the occasional town hall meeting during which time the firm's business and strategy are discussed. An associates' committee is tasked with putting forward the views of associates to the partnership." -- Newly qualified solicitor

• "Individual partners are very accessible. As a partnership that is led out of Chicago, there could be more communication that is more London-focused. We have an associate committee that gets associate views heard." -- Newly qualified solicitor

Formal Training

• "There are internal training sessions organised throughout the course of the training contract to supplement the professional skills course. There is very much a practical emphasis on these sessions and they are taken seriously. It is compulsory to attend, unless one's supervisor has indicated otherwise (which tends not to be the case!). The majority of the sessions are focused on honing in on legal skills. An example of a legal skill that I have worked on is my drafting skills, and a non-legal skill would include drafting of letters, etc." -- Trainee
• "The training programme has improved over the course of the year, and the addition of DIY training – where a trainee is required to give a presentation on any (legal) subject of their choice – has been particularly useful. However, there is a tendency to change and postpone training sessions which makes you question how seriously the presenters take them, though when they do take place they are usually of a very high quality and almost always have the effect of making you want to do a seat with the relevant department." -- Trainee
• "The firm has formal training sessions, usually given by a senior associate in each practice group. Trainees are also invited to attend in-house sessions which are given to all lawyers. A lot of training is given informally via feedback on tasks." -- Trainee
• "A counsel is in charge of organising our trainee training and it is done very well. A wide range of topics are covered. On top of that, there are a huge number of department specific training sessions which take place monthly. I have taken part in a number of subject specific training sessions as well as a session, organised by the firm but opened to clients, which taught us how to network." -- Trainee

• "The firm has a formal training programme for trainees under which there are numerous sessions covering areas of law in which the firm operates, as well as some other practical or soft skills training. As an associate, the training is more department or individual-orientated, with solicitors often identifying external courses which they can attend and getting firm sponsorship. Internal training for solicitors as a whole is occasionally organised during lunchtime, during which specific topics are covered, often in detail. Personally, I approached the tax partners to request that I be sent on the CTA course, which is quite expensive. Thankfully, they agreed to sponsor me through it." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "We have regular lunch time training sessions. There are training sessions aimed at trainees in particular departments. Each group may have monthly meetings or seminars on specific topics as well. Trainees have DIY sessions in which each of the trainees will give a presentation for about 15 minutes on any legal topics that he or she finds interesting." -- Trainee
• "Training is taken seriously and is well structured. There is always time to attend. Trainees attend internal training sessions and external training (for example, at the College of Law). Trainees must prepare and deliver one presentation per year. Trainees also attend networking events where they can network with clients. I picked up networking skills, drafting, advocacy and oral presentation, case and transaction management, client care and practice support, communications skills, legal research skills, advising, dispute resolution." -- Trainee

Informal Training & Mentoring

• "Training on-the-job happens on a daily basis. Partners are very accessible and do make good mentors. As all trainees share their office with a partner or senior associate, you learn all sorts of skills by ‘osmosis’ during your training contract. I would say I learn new things on a weekly basis." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "I work very closely with the corporate tax partner and so my informal training is often given by him. A good approach to working through tax statutes is one thing I think I have improved as a result of following his example. Working closely with him, coupled with formal CTA training, is helping me obtain a good knowledge of tax, hopefully, at a far quicker rate than might otherwise be the case." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "We have an ‘open-door’ policy which means we can just pop in anyone's office and ask any question that we have. Solicitors and partners are very accessible. They are very good mentors. They are patient and provide useful and constructive advice, as long as they have time to talk to you. We also have support lawyers so that whenever we encounter a problem at work we can turn to him or her for preliminary advice to help us find solutions." -- Trainee
• "Supervisors are good mentors. They provide feedback, but not on all tasks (but you can always ask for feedback.). A trainee solicitor has two appraisals in each six month seat. Solicitors are accessible and like talking to trainees, however, it does not mean that you can spend all day talking about football." -- Trainee

• "Sidley Austin runs an open-door policy and as such, associates and partners are, technically, always available. As with any firm, this doesn't always work when times are particularly busy but on the whole, it seems to be the case. A lot of our training is informal. You are always able to ask questions and if you're given work to do on a topic, or a transaction commences, which you have not come into contact with previously, someone will always be on hand to fill you in." -- Trainee
• "Most of the associates and partners are very approachable, and are happy to take the time to explain things. A majority of the supervisors are particularly concerned that their trainees receive enough of the right training and make an effort to ensure that this is the case. In addition to the more formal training, most of the solicitors will make an effort to see that you join conference calls and have some interaction with clients so that you can develop non-legal skills as well." -- Trainee
• "There is internal training to enhance the training received through the professional skills course. Whilst both solicitors and partners are accessible, it tends to be through the associates that one would channel any questions. Associates are always very approachable and have been really good mentors to me throughout my seats. I have very much developed the ability to think laterally and on my feet. I have begun to perfect my legal skills and drafting, and generally also my legal research skills." -- Trainee

Career Progression

• "It is not that easy to become partner – business need determines, but already quite partner heavy. Not that transparent as to what allows for promotion, but ability to bring in clients is important so quality of work, client network and reviews are important." -- Newly qualified solicitor

Pro Bono

• "I know some lawyers do work on pro bono matters... Once the billable hours target is reached, pro bono hours can be taken into account for bonus purposes. I have worked on two pro bono matters including the incorporation of an after-school club providing educational facilities, and in respect of a lease of premises for a charity." -- Newly qualified solicitor

Diversity (women, minorities & LGBT)

• "The firm is committed to diversity and I believe it to be staffed with diverse lawyers in all its offices. We have had numerous talks on diversity and there is a diversity committee. There is also a women's committee." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "8 out of 10 of this year's trainees are women." -- Trainee
• "My firm has been widely recognised for its pro bono and diversity programmes." -- Trainee

• "Four women partners out of a total of 39. At associate level it is quite even. The firm is committed to improving female promotion." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "The firm has an active women's committee and scores in the top 10 most diverse firms in the UK. Retention rates are high and you see solicitors who have trained with the firm now making partner. The firm has a good maternity policy." -- Trainee

Offices & Dress Code

• "Nice offices, good location, good facilities, dress code is business casual but quite informal." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "The dress code is business casual. There is a lot of space in the office. The maximum number of lawyers per room is two. Trainees have their own wardrobes, Blackberries, a lot of shelf space, huge desks, and comfortable chairs. There are kitchens with microwaves and fridges in the office, and a restaurant downstairs. The office is modern, new and located in a quiet area between Moorgate and Bank tube stations." -- Trainee
• "Good office facilities with a lovely terrace which is accessible during the summer. The building has a decent gym and canteen. We are located in the City with good transport links. The firm operates a business-casual dress code, people will notice if you wear suit!" -- Trainee
• "Dress is office casual unless, obviously, you're meeting a client." -- Trainee

• "The office is located centrally in the City about five minutes from Bank, and the individual offices are well-sized. The dress code is smart casual; typically, I wear shirt and trousers." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "The offices are high standard, with an open-door policy. Sharing an office with your supervisor is a mixed bag – excellent for access to him or her, but at times a drag on efficiency with meetings or teleconferences going on while trying to focus on something else. As for the dress code, smart casual for most days will suffice, unless there is a client meeting or other out-of-the-office activity." -- Trainee
• "Dress code is business casual; as long as you are not sporting jeans and trainers you can get away with fairly informal dress. The location, facilities and office space are all great, but compared to some other firms the food served in the firm's kitchen and the office building's canteen doesn't really measure up." -- Trainee

Green Initiatives

• "Recycling of paper, electronic storage of documents, energy efficient lights." – Trainee
• "Everyone recycles paper, very far from going paperless." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "Recycling is encouraged everywhere (paper, plastic, cans) but that is about it." -- Trainee

• "It is no longer firm policy to produce paper files, and recycling facilities are available on every floor." -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "Cycle-to-work scheme." -- Trainee

Where do you see yourself over the course of the next 5-10 years?

• "In five years, I should be CTA qualified and know a lot more about tax law and be able to more or less get on with my work autonomously without so much partner overview. In 10 years time, I should hope to be a partner. The law has allowed me to work in high-end City law, working with highly sophisticated people at the firm and on the client side. Once I decided to work in law, it was always my desire to do so in a top City environment and I think I have achieved that. Also, I think that the skills obtained here could open other doors in the future." -- Newly qualified solicitor

• "Mid-level associate in five years and hopefully partner in 10. Moving in-house is an option." -- Newly qualified solicitor

How prepared do you feel to practise law upon qualification?

• "Very!" -- Trainee
• "Get more and more prepared each day. I believe I have been building up confidence in myself as the training is going." -- Trainee
• "More and more by the day, but nowhere near 100%." -- Trainee
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• "Well prepared." -- Trainee
• "I can see how much I have learnt already, but still feel like there is a long way to go. I am sure by the time qualification comes round I will have the necessary skills required." -- Trainee
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