Sidley Austin Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – Interviewed on the phone with the recruiting manager, then a 1:1 with the Legal Assistant Manager. Then 1:1 with a partner in the practice group followed by an interview with 2 of the legal assistants I would be assisting.

Interview Details – I, like most of the other legal assistants in my practice group, was brought in through a staffing company. My interview was in person with the paralegal manager, followed by the other legal assistants in the practice group. I also met with one of the attorneys in the practice group, followed by one of the partners in the practice group. I was asked questions related to my education, related experience, professional interests and hobbies.

Interview Details – Pretentious firm with a lot of snobby people, and that's apparent just from interviews. One interviewer discusses her various houses at ski and lakeside resorts. The firm comes off as aggressive which would be expected for any large defense firm, but there was a particular level of snobbery and entitlement that tainted the whole interview. It is an interactive interview process and you will have the opportunity to speak to a variety of partners and associates. In that way, they give you an honest view of the firm, what your first, second, etc. years will be like and the general culture. It’s just unfortunate that that culture will only appeal to a specific type of person applying for the money and prestige.

Reason for Declining – For the reasons discussed above regarding my view of the firm atmosphere

Interview Details – Applied for job via university's job board and was immediately contacted by someone in Human Resources. I came in the next morning for an early morning interview that took between 2-3 hours. I met with HR first, then was interviewed by (in order) an a) HR staff member that hired the 30+ legal assistants at Sidley b) 3 legal assistants c) an attorney d) another attorney. I signed a few papers before the interview. I did not receive an offer, but I was clearly hesitant about the job as the legal assistants were very informative and honest (most disliked the long hours and redundancy).

Interview Details – I interviewed with two managers and spoke with one HR manager over the phone prior to receiving an offer letter. Both interviews were face to face and lasted less than an hour.

Negotiation Details – I didn't need to negotiate salary. They asked me for a salary range and they offered me the low-end of the range.

Interview Details – Online application and then face to face interview in London office. 1 hour with two partners ranging from experience, education and background. Starts off with basic questions: why law, why Sidley etc. and then gets tougher with in-depth questions about recent legal developments. Highly focused on corporate and business news.