Celebrating Black History Month 2021 with Sidley's Professional Staff

Sidley is proud to highlight the firm’s talented professional staff as part of our continuing celebration of Black History Month 2021. We invite you to learn more about Michelle S. Achong-Bailey, Clarence Anderson, Jamie Dawson, and Taylor Turner below.

What do you do for fun?

I absolutely love traveling, baking, and cooking.

Is there a hobby or other personal interest that would surprise people to learn about you?

Baking is my most relaxing activity. Bringing in baked goods on Mondays to share with my team and co-workers, knowing that everyone is looking forward to see what it will be this time, is most fulfilling.

Everybody has a walk-up song. What’s yours?

“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden & Whitehead.

Favorite food?

My husband’s Italian cooking. My family, coworkers, and friends know that when he’s cooking for us, we are in for and absolute treat.

What do you do for fun?

I love coaching basketball; I coached high school basketball for eight years. And I love CrossFit.

Is there a hobby or other personal interest that would surprise people to learn about you?

I love to do Karaoke; I think I’m pretty good at it.

Everybody has a walk-up song. What’s yours?

“Respond” by Travis Greene.

Favorite food?

I love seafood, especially crawfish.

Photo: Daniel T. Davis Photography

Are you involved in organizations outside the firm? If so, which ones?

Outside the firm, I am an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. One of nine black Greek letter organizations, Delta Sigma Theta is an organization founded on sisterhood, scholarship, and service. In April, I will celebrate 22 years as a contributing member.

I am also a member of National Charity League, Eastern Star Chapter, where I serve my local Dallas community alongside my two daughters.

Of the external organizations you are involved with, what work are you most proud of and why?

Serving your community is always rewarding. I am most proud of the extensive opportunities to serve through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated — the North Dallas Suburban Alumnae Chapter. Through the sorority, we are able to extend our service platform, supporting economic and social development through social action programs like voter registration drives and candidate forums. Our organization’s emphasis on physical and mental health has also yielded great returns during COVID-19. Promoting and supporting women’s health, leadership, and empowerment in these past two decades has been my greatest joy.

What do you do for fun? Is there a hobby or other personal interest that would surprise people to learn about you?

Anyone who knows me knows that as a single mom of two girls, I don’t have a ton of free time, but when I do, I like to spend it my kids. They both play select sports so I like to say my only hobby is traveling across the country watching them compete and being their biggest fan.

Everybody has a walk-up song. What’s yours?

I believe every woman secretly channels her inner Beyoncé. Because of this, my forever walk-up song is Beyoncé’s “Formation.”

Favorite food?

As a Midwesterner living in Texas, I have come to appreciate really good Tex-Mex.

What do you do for fun? Is there a hobby or other personal interest that would surprise people to learn about you?

This isn’t really a hobby anymore but when I am not working for Sidley, I am a professional baker for my business: Divine Sweets. I create beautiful and amazing edible works of art. I like to call myself a confectionary artist.

Everybody has a walk-up song. What’s yours?

“Walk” by Saucy Santana.

Favorite food?

Shrimp Tacos!