Those fake marketing smiles. Interviewees, listen for "crazy" talk - Specialist Sidley Austin Employee Review

1.0
Sep 26, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Company is financially stable and there are some decent benefits esp if you are a lawyer. The firm's legal teams do really good work and they seem to take a lot of pride in their pro bono and diversity initiatives. Some nice people, I suppose. It's a polarizing environment. Marketing groups are expanding but...

Cons

I was recruited from another industry to join a small, possibly-growing Marketing group. Management were stress magnets who couldn't make a decision (due to bureaucracy of BigLaw and personal inability) and blameshifted constantly. Training involved watching someone talk on speaker phone for an hour. All directors should know how to perform each function of their employees and most do not. Behind the fake smiles is an untold amount of cynicism. The idea of earning trust is a joke because there is none to earn. There are major control issues and it lead to lots of attrition. Are you a free thinker? Do you have ideas that could save time/money/effort? Are you autonomous? Are you proud of your past accomplishments? Good. This is a very old, well-established firm that doesn't care. If all you hear about during the interview is that things are "crazy," look elsewhere.

Explore other reviews about Sidley Austin

5.0
Jul 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working on top tier matters in the industry

Cons

Hours are too long and irregular

1.0
Jul 24, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The folks who have been at Sidley for 3+ years are great.

Cons

HORRIBLE leadership and management at the firm. The workday integration was a mess, and new CHRO has really tanked the company culture. They are also only giving out 3% raises the year the firm has record profits. Associates are burnt out and mean to staff. They underpay staff and then wonder why their best talent is leaving.

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