Built to Succeed® Scholarship

In 2022, Sidley launched Built to Lead®, an executive leadership program uniquely designed to help associates become world-class, business-savvy lawyers. This program features MBA-level executive training at top business schools along with professional development and personal career coaching opportunities.

We expanded on the success of this program with the Built to Succeed® Scholarship. The Built to Succeed® Scholarship is awarded to a limited number of second-year law students who show exceptional leadership qualities, have strong academic performance, and whose unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences will contribute to an inclusive and dynamic law firm. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. At Sidley, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, equal opportunity, and fairness within the legal profession. We encourage scholarship applicants to thoughtfully demonstrate how their experiences, values, and aspirations align with these principles.

The Built to Succeed® Scholarship awards $50,000 (less any applicable withholdings and taxes) to selected Sidley 2L summer associates. Scholarship recipients will receive $25,000 upon joining Sidley as a summer associate, and the remaining $25,000 will be paid after joining the firm as a full-time associate. Leadership development opportunities will be available for scholarship recipients during the summer program.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

A scholarship applicant must:

• Be a full-time law student in the second year of classes at an accredited law school.
• Receive and accept an offer for a summer associate position with Sidley.
• Submit the following documents:
  • Resume
  • Current law school transcript
  • Completed application form
  • Applicants must submit a personal statement (500 words or less) addressing the qualifications for the Built to Succeed® Scholarship. Applicants are encouraged to discuss what they believe gives them the potential to be an exceptional leader and how those characteristics could benefit the legal profession and Sidley.

Scholarship recipients will be selected from among the eligible applicants who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership qualities, including through:

• Overcoming Adversity: Personal experiences navigating socioeconomic challenges, first-generation college or law school attendance, or overcoming systemic barriers in pursuit of education and career goals.
• Resilience: Demonstrated ability to navigate complex personal or professional challenges while making meaningful contributions to academic, professional, or community settings.
• Intellectual Curiosity and Critical Thinking: A track record of engaging with different viewpoints, challenging assumptions, and fostering constructive dialogue on legal and social issues.
• Commitment to Community Engagement: A history of community advocacy, service, or leadership, whether through volunteer work, lived experience or mentorship.
• Other exemplary contributions.

Expectations of Scholarship Recipients:

• Scholarship recipients must receive and accept an offer to join Sidley’s summer associate program for its entirety after their second year of law school.
• Sidley’s Built to Succeed® Scholarship is intended to defray the costs of the recipients’ legal education.

Application Timeline

The Built to Succeed® Scholarship application is now closed. Please check back in the spring for information regarding next year’s application process.

Please note that the scholarship application is not an application for employment. You must apply separately for a summer associate position.