CHELSEA PRIEST is a strategic thinker with experience across a wide variety of commercial litigation and disputes, having handled everything from contract disputes, to intellectual property disputes, to product liability and mass tort issues, to class actions and consumer protection cases, and everything in between. She has a particular interest in arbitration clauses and how those clauses can be implemented in a way that serves the client’s needs. Chelsea has successfully argued cases both into and out of arbitration. She is equally comfortable in a courtroom or in front of an arbitration panel. Chelsea has been a member of several trial teams, questioning witnesses and arguing exhibit objections and jury instructions. She was recognized by Best Lawyers as “One to Watch” for 2022–2025.
Chelsea also has significant experience with critical motions briefing and appeals, having briefed and argued motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment in numerous trial-level courts. Additionally, she has written appellate briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Texas Supreme Court, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 2nd, 5th, 9th, and D.C. Circuits, and presented oral argument in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.
Prior to joining Sidley, Chelsea was a Bristow Fellow at the Office of the Solicitor General, where she worked on Supreme Court litigation on behalf of the federal government. Chelsea was also a law clerk for Chief Judge Merrick B. Garland in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, a law clerk for Chief Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, an extern for Judge Michelle T. Friedland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and a page for the U.S. House of Representatives.
While attending Stanford Law School, Chelsea was a semifinalist in the Kirkwood Moot Court Competition, where she was awarded “Best Petitioner’s Brief.” Chelsea served as managing editor of the Stanford Law Review and graduated with pro bono distinction, given her roles as co-coordinator of the Tax Pro Bono Project and a volunteer for the Lifer Parole Project. She was also a pupil in The Honorable William A. Ingram American Inns of Court. Chelsea gained additional experience as a research and teaching assistant for multiple professors and was honored with the “Gerald Gunther Prize for Outstanding Performance” in many areas.