Houston Summer Program

Sidley’s Houston office opened in February 2012, building on the firm’s strategy of establishing a substantial presence in all key commercial, financial and regulatory centers of the world. The founding partners of the office have practiced in Houston for many years and have a track record of achieving results for clients across a broad range of industries.

Energy is a key focus of the Houston office, where our lawyers draw from a formidable reserve of knowledge to seamlessly assist clients in all aspects of the product lifecycle, from exploration and refining to transport and marketing. Houston’s transactional lawyers have global experience in syndicated and structured financings, mergers and acquisitions, private placements, public offerings, private equity and project development. Our litigators prosecute and defend energy, securities and professional liability litigation in both federal and state courts. 

We offer a robust program for students interested in transactional law. Being a part of the Houston office affords you the opportunity to work in a small, close-knit environment while enjoying the resources and support of a large global firm. 

Work Assignments

Each summer associate is assigned to a client’s deal team and works on a number of different projects and other matters throughout the summer. You will be introduced to a variety of work, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, private equity portfolio investment, public company regulatory compliance, financing arrangements and other transactions. As part of an active deal team, you will have the opportunity to both observe and participate in work on matters providing a genuine picture of your career after law school, and to begin making contacts with domestic and foreign clients in the industries in which you will be working.

Summer associates in Houston may also get involved with local and firm-wide pro bono projects.  Work might include providing corporate legal assistance to Texas nonprofits working to improve low-income communities, helping African and Asian enterprises and NGOs share the benefits of globalization through the Sidley Emerging Enterprises Pro Bono Program, or representing low-income clients in immigration, guardianship, custody, probate, tax or family law matters through Houston Volunteer Lawyers.

Professional Development

Sidley’s Houston office is dedicated to the individual development of each of our summer associates. You will be assigned both a partner and associate/counsel mentor who will provide personal and professional guidance and serve as a resource and sounding board throughout the program.

Our summer training program will help you further develop your legal research, writing, and other skills. You will have the opportunity to attend practice-specific presentations, in-house CLE programs, and other educational workshops on topics including networking and negotiation.

Summer Life

An important part of your summer experience is building relationships with your future colleagues. Throughout the summer, you will be invited to participate in a mix of social and networking events and office-wide programming. These events will give you a chance to get to know our lawyers and your fellow summer associates both personally and professionally while experiencing the diverse and international environment that is Houston.

As a summer associate in Houston, your calendar might include activities like:

• Sushi making and dinner with the head chef at one of Houston’s most famous restaurants, Uchi
• Exploring the art of wine tasting with fellow summer associates and Sidley lawyers
• Team building while learning the ins and outs of the sport of Curling at the Curling Club of Houston
• Getting a taste of the incredible Houston food scene with a pizza tossing class
• Sweating it out in a pickle ball tournament
• Traveling to and exploring the city of Austin with the Dallas office summer associates for an overnight Texas Retreat