In 2022, Sidley launched Built to Lead®, an executive leadership program uniquely designed to help associates become world-class, business-savvy lawyers. This program features MBA-level executive training at top business schools along with professional development and personal career coaching opportunities.
We expanded on the success of this program with the Built to Succeed® Scholarship. The Built to Succeed® Scholarship is awarded to a limited number of second-year law students who show exceptional leadership qualities, have strong academic performance, and whose unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences will contribute to an inclusive and dynamic law firm. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. At Sidley, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, equal opportunity, and fairness within the legal profession. We encourage scholarship applicants to thoughtfully demonstrate how their experiences, values, and aspirations align with these principles.
The Built to Succeed® Scholarship awards $50,000 (less any applicable withholdings and taxes) to selected Sidley summer associates. Scholarship recipients will receive $25,000 upon joining Sidley as a 2L summer associate, and the remaining $25,000 will be paid after joining the firm as a full-time associate. Leadership development opportunities will be available for scholarship recipients during the summer program.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
- A scholarship applicant must:
- Be a full-time law student in the first year of classes at an accredited law school.
- Receive and accept an offer for a 2L summer associate position with Sidley.
- Submit a personal statement (500 words or less) addressing the qualifications for the Built to Succeed® Scholarship. Applicants are encouraged to discuss what they believe gives them the potential to be an exceptional leader and how those characteristics could benefit the legal profession and Sidley.
- Scholarship recipients will be selected from among the eligible applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership qualities, including through:
- Commitment to Community Engagement: A history of community advocacy, service, or leadership, whether through volunteer work, student organizations, lived experience or mentorship.
- Intellectual Curiosity and Critical Thinking: A track record of engaging with different viewpoints, challenging assumptions, and fostering constructive dialogue on legal and social issues.
- Resilience: Demonstrated ability to navigate complex personal or professional challenges while making meaningful contributions to academic, professional, or community settings.
- Other exemplary contributions.
Expectations of Scholarship Recipients:
- Scholarship recipients must receive and accept an offer to join Sidley’s summer associate program for its entirety after their second year of law school.
- Sidley’s Built to Succeed® Scholarship is intended to defray the costs of the recipients’ legal education.
Application Timeline
Given the highly selective nature of the Scholarship, and the limited number of scholarships available, students are encouraged to submit applications prior to their call-back interview. The application will close at the same time as the 2027 Summer Associate application. Applications are considered and decisions are reached on a rolling basis.
Please note that the scholarship application is not an application for employment. You must apply separately for a summer associate position.