Sidley opened its New York office more than 100 years ago in 1914 and is now one of New York City’s largest law offices. Lawyers offer advice to clients ranging from financial services, to businesses at the forefront of revolutionary technology. The office, with 400 lawyers, serves many of the world’s Fortune 500 companies, sovereign governments, banks, multinational corporations as well as private entities and funds. Sidley maintains longstanding relationships with many of those clients, earned through decades of scrupulous service and the talent of our lawyers.
Many of our lawyers bring a wealth of experience from prior government service and leadership in key organizations. New York lawyers currently serve or have served in senior positions with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the U.S. Department of Treasury and FINRA and as assistant U.S. attorneys, and serve on important committees, such as the Legal Advisory Committee for the board of governors of the New York Stock Exchange and the Securities Advisory Committee for the Ontario Securities Commission. Reflecting the unique diversity of New York and its status as a world city, many lawyers in our New York office are highly proficient in other languages and collectively speak more than 30.
Sidley received more first-tier national rankings than any other U.S. law firm in the 2018 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” survey. Nineteen New York practices were rated in the first tier.
Our New York lawyers recognize their profound responsibility to invest in the city’s broader community through public service by using their training, skills and experience to provide legal services to the poor and to charitable, religious, community, governmental and educational organizations that otherwise would be unable to afford legal representation. In 2010, Sidley launched its Corporate Responsibility program featuring volunteer initiatives throughout New York City, including our Sidley Service Day.
The firm has long provided leadership on the boards of both New York Cares and United Way of New York City. Sidley has championed youth and adult education and job readiness programs through New York Cares, and has supported Winter Wishes for Kids and Families, answering holiday gift requests from those in need. The firm’s New York lawyers and staff also volunteer their time for many of the organization’s programs, including assembling care kits for veterans and refurbishing public schools. Sidley and the United Way of New York have worked for low-income New Yorkers, ensuring short-term needs are met while simultaneously working on long-term solutions to problems through multiple programs.