2014 SIDLEY PRELAW SCHOLARS INITIATIVE The Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative is designed to increase diversity in law schools and within the legal profession by helping racially diverse, high-performing college students offset the high costs of LSAT preparation classes and admissions applications. You can be the next Sidley Prelaw Scholar. TALENT. TEAMWORK. RESULTS.
Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative 2014 Are you a racially diverse, high-performing college student planning to pursue a career in law, but concerned about the cost of applying to law schools? If so, the Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative is directed towards helping students like you. The Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative aims to increase diversity in law schools, and eventually, within the legal profession by subsidizing the LSAT preparatory course and law school application expenses of talented, racially diverse college students who may have difficulty paying the expenses associated with applying to law school. For eligibility requirements, an outline of the program and how to apply, please read below or visit www.sidleyscholars.com. THE MOST FIRST-TIER NATIONAL RANKINGS U.S. NEWS BEST LAWYERS Funding ($2,500 maximum) for: Tuition for a Sidley-approved LSAT preparatory course Registration fees for the June 2014 LSAT and the Law School Data Assembly Service ( LSDAS ) Law School application fees (up to seven) BEST LAW FIRM 2014 SURVEY LSDAS report fees (up to seven) Program Elements Expert counseling on creating a successful law school application 2015 Sidley Scholars Summer Seminar ( S4 ), a 2-3 day introduction to the structure of the American legal system and substantive instruction on the traditional first-year law school courses, as well as an opportunity to meet Sidley lawyers and other leaders in the legal community Upon successful completion of an approved LSAT preparatory course, completion of the LSAT, submission of at least five law school applications, confirmation of intention to matriculate to law school during Fall 2015, and attendance at the 2015 S4, each Scholar will receive an additional $2,500 scholarship award A student may request that the Firm consider an exception to a requirement of the SPSI due to the students personal circumstance. Sidley s Review Committee will consider such requests on a case-bycase basis, but certain benefits of the SPSI may not be made available to such student. All such decisions are at the discretion of Sidley s Review Committee.
2014 Sidley Prelaw Scholars 2014 Sidley Scholars Seated (L to R): Sha na Harris, Jade Jenkins, Sandra Lopez, Cindy Dinh, Morgan Tapp, Alicia Niaves, Jasmin Morris, Cha Mira Keener, Liz Wangu and Latena Hazard. Standing (L to R): Kerriann Mills, Stanley Stallworth, Sally Olson, Angelo Villarreal, Jameson Miller, Taj Tucker, Byron Taylor, Maria Melendez, Larry Barden, Michele Ruiz, Carter Phillips, Leland Shelton, Daveante Jones, Julian Fowler, Matthew Irwin, Christopher Maduforo, Ashley Williams, Johnny Taylor, Jr., Teri Cotton Santos and Hui Min Cao. (L to R): Larry Barden, Johnny Taylor, Jr., Matthew Irwin, Teri Cotton Santos, Kerriann Mills, Byron Taylor, Maria Melendez, Carter Phillips, Michele Ruiz, Stanley Stallworth and Sally Olson. (L to R): Stanley Stallworth, Sally Olson, Kerriann Mills, Terri Cotton Santos, Matthew Irwin, Carter Phillips and Larry Barden.
Eligibility Sidley Prelaw Scholars will be selected on a competitive basis. To be considered as a Sidley Prelaw Scholar, one must: Be a second semester college junior or a senior, graduating from an accredited American college in good standing no later than July 2015, or be a very recent graduate of an accredited American college Be a native-born or naturalized U.S. citizen Submit a complete application and supporting materials by the application deadline Demonstrate financial need through the application and supporting materials Expectations of Sidley Prelaw Scholars Each Sidley Prelaw Scholar is expected to: Graduate in good standing from college no later than June 30, 2015 Meet all LSAT, law school application and program deadlines Attend all classes associated with the LSAT preparatory course Attend the Sidley Scholars Summer Seminar in Summer 2015 Matriculate to Law School in Fall 2015 Be available via telephone and email to Sidley administrators and lawyers from February 2014 through September 2015 Upon commencement of law school, remain in touch with Sidley administrators to provide feedback on how the Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative is benefiting the Sidley Prelaw Scholar during the first year of law school* * Note: Although we encourage Sidley Prelaw Scholars eventually to consider Sidley Austin LLP when considering law firm employment, being a Sidley Prelaw Scholar does not obligate one to apply for a summer clerkship or permanent position with any Sidley office, nor is Sidley obligated to interview or hire any Sidley Prelaw Scholar.
About Sidley Austin LLP Sidley is a premier law firm with a practice highly attuned to the ever-changing international landscape. The firm has built a reputation for being a powerful legal adviser for global businesses, with more than 1,700 lawyers in 19 offices worldwide. Sidley maintains a commitment to providing quality legal services and to offering advice in litigation, transactional and regulatory matters spanning virtually every area of law. Sidley is committed to achieving greater diversity not only for our firm, but within the legal profession as a whole. Our mission is to attract and retain outstanding lawyers of varied backgrounds who reflect the global marketplace that we serve. Through the leadership of its Diversity Committee and the Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women, Sidley aspires to make sustainable progress in its journey toward becoming a more diverse organization. For more information about Sidley, go to www.sidley.com. How to Apply Go online to www.sidleyscholars.com. Download, complete, and print the online application. Submit the application, an official transcript*, Free Application for Federal Student Aid**, resume, and a sealed and signed recommendation, via overnight delivery*** to: Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative c/o Lisa LeTourneau Sidley Austin LLP One South Dearborn Chicago, IL 60603 Sidley was awarded the 9 th International Innovations in Diversity Award for the Sidley Prelaw Scholars Initiative Program 2012 Received a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) report. 2008-2013 Named by Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC to their annual list of the 50 Best Law Firms for Women. 2013 Recognized by Yale Law Women as one of their Top Ten Family Friendly Firms. 2013 Incomplete applications will not be considered. *Unofficial transcripts are accepted. However, once an applicant has been chosen, he/she must submit an official transcript. ** Free Application for Federal Student Aid is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. *** Unfortunately, Sidley cannot provide proof of delivery.
2014 Program Timeline Friday, January 17, 2014 Application deadline (postmark date) Friday, March 7, 2014 2014 Sidley Scholars published to website April 2014 Start date for LSAT prep course for June 2014 LSAT (exact dates vary by location and provider) Monday, June 9, 2014 June 2014 LSAT October 2014 Saturday, October 4, 2014 Monday, October 6, 2014 (Sabbath Observers) LSAT Exam. Late June/early July 2015 S4: Sidley Scholars Summer Seminar Won the Most Innovative Gender Diversity Initiative (Law Firm) Award at the first Chambers USA Women in Law Awards 2012 honoring law firms that have made an outstanding contribution to gender diversity awareness and to the mentoring of women lawyers. Sidley was named as one of the top Illinois law firms leading the way to LGBT workplace equality in Equality Illinois 2012 Law Firm Survey. Equality Illinois is the state s largest organization advocating for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. www.sidley.com BEIJING BOSTON BRUSSELS CHICAGO DALLAS FRANKFURT GENEVA HONG KONG HOUSTON LONDON LOS ANGELES NEW YORK PALO ALTO SAN FRANCISCO SHANGHAI SINGAPORE SYDNEY TOKYO WASHINGTON, D.C. Attorney Advertising - For purposes of compliance with New York State Bar rules, our headquarters are Sidley Austin LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, 212.839.5300; One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, 312.853.7000; and 1501 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, 202.736.8000. Sidley Austin refers to Sidley Austin LLP and affiliated partnerships as explained at www.sidley.com/disclaimer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.