Our Firmwide Projects

Veterans Advocacy

8,222 Hours in 2023

Sidley works with individual veterans seeking benefits, as well as with veterans’ advocacy groups to pursue systemic challenges. In 2023, the firm worked on over 100 matters for individual veterans, plus multiple class action matters.

We have long been dedicated to representing veterans in pursuit of their hard-earned medical and disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense. Our lawyers represent veterans on claims for VA service-connected disability compensation at the agency and before federal courts, assist with applications for Combat Related Special Compensation to the military, and file petitions to military corrections boards for relief, such as discharge upgrades and military retirement.

Trade for Development Initiative

9,600+ Hours to Date

Sidley’s Trade for Development Initiative provides free legal and technical advice to least developed and low-income developing countries and trade associations in areas related to trade, investment, and relevant regulations. Since the program’s inception, more than 160 Sidley lawyers and specialists have dedicated 9,692 hours to pro bono work on behalf of our clients.

Our work in 2023 has included supporting the African Union’s participation in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)’s proceedings on marine pollution and allied regulations; representing the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda in International Court of Justice proceedings that may impact the direction of international climate rules; and assisting the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture in relation to her research into possible new international law on trade in items used for torture.

Capital Litigation

7,543 Hours in 2023

Sidley’s Capital Litigation Project ensures that people incarcerated on death row have access to high-quality legal representation — perhaps for the first time since their arrest. To date, we have represented 24 prisoners on Alabama’s death row at all stages of post-conviction proceedings. Since the project’s inception, Sidley has invested more than 180,000 hours in these cases. Sidley’s representation of people on Alabama’s death row has been greatly supported by the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit based in Montgomery, Alabama.

Political Asylum and Immigrants’ Rights

11,789 Hours in 2023

As part of the firm’s Political Asylum and Immigrants’ Rights Pro Bono Project, lawyers across Sidley’s U.S. offices handle impact litigation and individual representations, including asylum cases and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases.

Sidley also partners with several legal departments of our corporate clients to host clinics and staff cases to help asylees and refugees obtain lawful permanent resident status and bring family members to the United States. In 2023, we hosted clinics to assist individuals seeking Temporary Protected Status, victims of domestic violence seeking immigration relief under the Violence Against Women Act, and individuals renewing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Pro Bono Project for the Arts

We are proud to provide pro bono assistance to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, as well as individual artists who cannot typically afford the legal services needed to survive and grow. This investment helps our communities thrive and encourages our neighbors to share their stories and preserve their rich histories. Our work includes, but is not limited to, venue contracting, international touring logistics and finance, property acquisition, advising on technology questions, and reviewing and drafting IT service agreements. We have assisted many nonprofits with their day-to-day operations, from entity formation, drafting and reviewing contracts, to advising on corporate governance. In supporting the visions of artistic innovators, we hope to connect people from all backgrounds.

Our work this past year included drafting policies and guidance; advising on intellectual property licensing, investments/asset management, corporate governance, tax, employment, grant agreements, fiscal sponsorship agreements, and donation agreements; and providing immigration counseling. A few of our arts clients in 2023 included Ars Choralis, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the performance of choral music of all periods and styles, Brooklyn Ballet, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and the Jazz Foundation of America.

Emerging Enterprises

60+ Countries | 245+ Clients | 66,500+ Hours Since 2012

The Emerging Enterprises Pro Bono Program provides free legal support to micro, small-, and medium-sized enterprises and nonprofits with a clear social, economic, or environmental impact in developing countries. These enterprises span diverse sectors that include food and agriculture, manufacturing, education, technology, health, finance, clean energy, water, and sanitation.

Our work has helped clients such as BioLite Energy, CassVita Inc., Forested Foods, and Raising Malawi expand their operations, access new markets, and seize investment opportunities. In 2023 alone, 229 Sidley lawyers from across 16 offices worked to support Emerging Enterprises clients on a range of matters, including negotiations and investment rounds; corporate structuring and data protection; contract review; trade regulations for developed markets; and much more. We are grateful to all of the Sidley lawyers and staff who participate in the Program and provide essential support to businesses that foster economic, environmental, and social change around the world that benefits us all.

Constitutional Rights and Civil Liberties

Sidley works closely with many civil rights advocacy organizations across the country to protect and defend the constitutional rights and civil liberties of all people, especially those most subjected to marginalization, persecution, or profiling. Our clients include prisoners and detainees, women in the workplace, LGBTQ+ individuals, and racial and ethnic minorities. Our pro bono practice has worked through the courts, administrative agencies, and legislatures to safeguard, promote, and expand individual rights and civil liberties so that all people can live freely and proudly.

Supporting Our Communities

In addition to our firmwide cornerstone projects, we provide comprehensive pro bono services that address the critical legal needs of our neighbors and communities, including individual representation cases on a host of areas of law that clients living in poverty often face.

We partner with many local legal services organizations in order to represent our neighbors who could not otherwise afford counsel. In 2023, Sidley’s lawyers handled cases on behalf of underserved, low-income individuals and families in housing, family law, consumer, and public benefits matters.