Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Sidley is a staunch proponent of law firm diversity and inclusion and has been a pioneer in creating opportunities for lawyers of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation or beliefs. Our mission is to attract, retain and promote to partnership and leadership outstanding lawyers who reflect the global marketplace and communities that we serve. We are committed to achieving greater diversity and inclusivity, not just for our firm but for the legal profession as a whole.

Companies, clients and other organizations have long recognized Sidley as a leader in diversity and inclusion. Below is a snapshot of the awards and recognition the firm has received since 2010.

2018

“Outstanding Firm in Advancing Gender Diversity and Inclusion,” Chambers Women in Law Awards: USA
Gold Certification, Women in Law Empowerment Forum
Named in the Yale Law Women’s 2018 Top Ten Family Friendly Firms Report for category honors in “Leadership & Promotions: At Least 50% of Attorneys Promoted to Equity Partner in 2017 Were Women”
“Perfect” 100 score, Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) report
Diversity Award, MetLife

2017

Law Firm Award of Excellence, Freddie Mac Legal Division
“Perfect” 100 score, Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) report
Ranked #14 on Vault’s list of the “25 Best Law Firms for Overall Diversity”
Gold Certification, Women in Law Empowerment Forum
“Most Inclusive Firm for Minority Women Lawyers,” Chambers Women in Law Awards: USA
50 Best Law Firms for Women, Working Mother magazine
A Top Law Firm for LGBTQ Equality, Equality Illinois

2016

“Perfect” 100 score, Human Rights Campaign’s CEI report
25 “Best Law Firms for Overall Diversity,” Vault
Gold Certification, Women in Law Empowerment Forum
“Most Pioneering Firm for Female Lawyers,” Chambers Diversity USA Awards
50 Best Law Firms for Women, Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers
Top Law Firm for LGBT Equality, Equality Illinois
Law Firm Honoree, Dominican Bar Association 13th Annual Scholarship Gala
Allstate General Counsel’s “Excellence in Diversity Award”

2015

“Perfect” 100 score, Human Rights Campaign’s CEI report
Gold Certification, Women in Law Empowerment Forum
“Most Pioneering Gender Diversity Initiative,” Chambers Diversity
50 Best Law Firms for Women, Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers
Top Law Firm for LGBT Equality, Equality Illinois
“Joan Guggenheimer Diversity Champion Award,” JPMorgan Chase
State Bar Diversity Award, State Bar of California
IDEA (Innovation, Development, Engagement, Advancement) Award, Association of Legal Administrators
Diversity Firm of the Year, Benchmark Litigation US Awards
Diversity Award, MetLife

2014

“Perfect” 100 score, Human Rights Campaign’s CEI report
Gold Certification, Women in Law Empowerment Forum
50 Best Law Firms for Women, Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers
Top Law Firm for LGBT Equality, Equality Illinois
Leadership and Excellence in Inclusion and Diversity (LEID) Award, Morgan Stanley
Diversity Firm of the Year, Benchmark Litigation US Awards
Corporate Diversity Award, Association of Black Women Attorneys (ABWA)
Best International Firm for Diversity, Euromoney LMG Americas, Women in Business Law Awards
Best International Firm for Work-Life Balance, Euromoney LMG Europe, Women in Business Law Awards

2013

“Perfect” 100 score, Human Rights Campaign’s CEI report
50 Best Law Firms for Women, Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers
Top Law Firm for LGBT Equality, Equality Illinois
Pro Bono Publico Award, LatinoJustice/Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund. Sidley won this award for the firm’s work on an amicus brief filed in the U.S. Supreme Court in Shelby County, Alabama v. Eric H. Holder (2013) on behalf of LatinoJustice/PRLDEF, the Mexican Legal Defense and Education Fund, and 20 other Latino national organizations in support of the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
Top Ten Family Friendly Firm, Yale Law Women

2012

“Perfect” 100 score, Human Rights Campaign’s CEI report
Gold Certification, Women in Law Empowerment Forum
Top Law Firm for LGBT Equality, Equality Illinois
9th Annual International Innovations in Diversity Award, Profiles in Diversity Journal. Sidley was recognized for the Sidley Prelaw Scholars Program
Most Innovative Gender Diversity Initiative Award, Chambers USA Women in Law Awards
Diversity Award, AT&T Legal Department

2011

“Perfect” 100 score, Human Rights Campaign’s CEI report
Gold Certification, Women in Law Empowerment Forum
50 Best Law Firms for Women, Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers
Top Law Firm for LGBT Equality, Equality Illinois
Diversity Legal Award, Black Solicitors Network (BSN) UK Diversity Legal Awards. These national industry awards recognize the work of organizations and individuals who are making significant contributions in the area of promoting diversity within, and equality of access into, the legal profession in the UK.
Top Ten Family Friendly Firms, Yale Law Women

2010

“Perfect” 100 score, Human Rights Campaign’s CEI report
50 Best Law Firms for Women, Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers
Top Law Firm for LGBT Equality, Equality Illinois
Top Ten Family Friendly Firms, Yale Law Women

People Who Make a Difference

“I think if a business wants to innovate, if it wants to appreciate the objectives of its competitors and its clients, it needs the broadest possible perspective — and I think you get broader perspective by having a diversity of opinion, background, experience and philosophy brought to the table.”

Michael Schmidtberger
New York

“I have also found that one of the most important things one can do as an associate – other than doing excellent work, of course – is to find mentors and sponsors within your practice group who can be a powerful voice for you, as you become a more senior associate and want to be on the road to partnership.”

Christina M. Craige
Los Angeles

“The fact that you have overcome a disability shows your strength and ability to persevere in the face of a great challenge — a greater challenge than typically faced. Letting it be known that you are working in this profession with a disability is not a negative — it’s very much a positive.”

Michael D. Hatcher
Dallas

“A lot of firms talk about how important it is, but once I joined Sidley, I could really see the investment. It’s a pretty amazing — the commitment from managing partners to lawyers all across the firm. Sidley really backs up our diversity talk with action.”

Richard Alonso
Washington, D.C.

"Diversity and inclusion are good business for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it’s the right thing to do."

Tracy LeRoy
Houston

“I also tell younger women not to be afraid to raise the issue of a reduced schedule because you think somehow it will be an end to your career or you won’t be promoted — because it’s just not true.”

Tanya Landon
Geneva

New York Partner Heidi Levine has made supporting and mentoring young women and minorities — both inside and outside the firm — a hallmark of her career.

Heidi Levine
New York