Sidley Celebrates 160 Years

In 1866, a postage stamp cost three cents, milk was four cents a quart, and Norman Williams and John Leverett Thompson met in an office in the Marine Bank building at the corner of Lake and LaSalle Streets in Chicago to establish a law firm together. One hundred sixty years later, we celebrate the anniversary of that meeting and the global firm that grew from it.

Today Sidley is one of the world’s global elite law firms, with more than 2,300 lawyers across 21 offices. As we celebrate our 160th anniversary, we extend our thanks to our clients, recruits, and employees, for being part of this journey. Your trust has shaped our past and will define our future. As the world grows more complex, we remain committed to helping our clients navigate their most consequential challenges. Here’s to the next 160 years!