Fellowships

“Oftentimes, law students think they must choose between working at a law firm and working on issues they’re passionate about. Sidley turns that assumption on its head by giving associates the pro bono fellowship opportunity, and countless other opportunities, to provide meaningful pro bono work.”

“My legal fellowship at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty was an incredible experience. I was immediately given substantive legal work to do, and I also learned so much about religious liberty legal work and made connections that have allowed me to continue to take on religious liberty pro bono projects, and even participate in multiple Supreme Court amicus briefs that touch on the same themes, during my time at Sidley.”

“Working with Bet Tzedek’s Impact Litigation team allowed me to gain substantive experience quickly, develop litigation skills, and most importantly, to advocate for and to help those in need of legal assistance. Starting my legal career at Bet Tzedek instilled in me that pro bono work is interesting, rewarding, and vitally important.”

“Sidley’s pro bono fellowship exemplifies the exceptional opportunity provided by the firm’s pro bono practice to gain diverse experience while making a meaningful impact. As a pro bono fellow, I had the opportunity to support the investigative work of the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), a nonpartisan independent watchdog. The fellowship was a fantastic way to support a cause I care about while preparing to begin my journey as an associate at Sidley.”

“Participating in Sidley’s pro bono fellowship helped me fulfill a longtime personal goal of working with the ACLU. The best part of my time with the ACLU of DC was getting to file suit in a high school free speech case. It was one of the most meaningful professional experiences of my life. I am very grateful to Sidley for making it happen!

“Sidley’s PILI Fellowship gave me the opportunity to hone real-world litigation skills while contributing to an organization that connects people to critical legal services. With the guidance of the talented attorneys at Legal Aid Chicago, I helped an elderly tenant remain stably housed in the face of a wrongful eviction.”

“I had the privilege of spending my summer fellowship at the National Veterans Legal Services Program. I worked mainly on disability claims and litigation with respect to two sets of client groups: veterans who were exposed to burn pits during service and full-time caregivers of disabled veterans. My fellowship was finding ways to tell our clients’ stories through our filings. And I was consistently blown away by these stories of hardship in training, combat, and in readjusting to civilian life. I learned so much, and I would like to think I helped some of the most deserving individuals in our country.”

“My fellowship at Bet Tzedek in their preventing and ending homelessness practice was a profoundly rewarding experience. Working diligently to ensure that tenants were treated fairly not only allowed me to give back to the community, but also reinforced my commitment to pro bono work as an associate at Sidley.”

“My fellowship at the Public Defender Service taught me the skills necessary to become a great litigator. But most important to my professional growth as an aspiring defense attorney, when working with clients whose liberty was at stake, I learned to put away all biases I may have had and advocated for my client to the best of my ability.”

“Getting the opportunity to assist emerging nonprofit organizations at the beginning of my legal career was a powerful reminder that, at its heart, lawyering is about helping others. I am grateful to be at a place like Sidley that cares about creating a culture of service by providing opportunities to support those less fortunate and make a meaningful impact in our community.”

“Through my fellowship with Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, I learned about the essential role that legal advocacy plays as part of a broader framework, including political advocacy and social services, in protecting people from falling through the frayed and precarious net of housing benefits.”

“During my pro bono fellowship at the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, I had the privilege of advocating for individuals living with mental health disorders. Our focus was to ensure that every person received the due process they are entitled to when facing involuntary admission for mental health treatment. This experience not only deepened my understanding of the legal protections afforded to vulnerable populations but also reinforced my commitment to upholding justice and dignity for all.”

“My experience with the Brooklyn Defender Services reinforced my belief in the importance of creative and compassionate advocacy, which I practiced firsthand helping clients navigate immigration law, an ever-changing, and often confusing, area of law. I am grateful to Sidley’s pro bono fellowship program for providing me with the opportunity to not only hone my legal skills but also to use those skills to make a positive impact.”

“Having the opportunity to draft federal appellate court amicus briefs and receive direct feedback on my writing was an invaluable experience. It has made me feel more confident taking on similar challenges at Sidley and becoming more involved in our pro bono work.”

“During my fellowship with the Project on Government Oversight, I helped draft model legislation for states seeking to expand their data privacy protections. The experience helped me think about statutory interpretation from a drafter’s perspective — a viewpoint I draw on regularly as an associate as we seek to interpret new statutes and regulations for our clients.”

“Working as a fellow for Legal Aid Chicago was incredibly rewarding. I got to work with such a talented and dedicated group of attorneys who made it an exciting and collaborative place to work and especially to learn. Now that I am a practicing attorney myself, I try every day to emulate that spirit and passion for client advocacy.”