Chicago’s Sidley Austin saw revenue grow by 7% in 2008, while profits increased 4%.
The firm brought in $1.489 billion in revenue, up from $1.386 billion in 2007. Profits per equity partner reached $1.43 million.
The firm’s overall head count grew from 1,651 to 1,702, with revenue per lawyer also growing from $840,000 to $875,000. Equity partners remained static at 332, while the nonequity ranks increased from 294 to 310.
In October Sidley saved six partners from the collapsed Heller Ehrman. In March, the firm hired a six-partner private equity team from Chicago’s Schiff Hardin.
Sidley Austin LLP 
, formerly Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, is one of the oldest law firms in the world. It is the sixth largest US-based corporate law firm with over 1,800 lawyers, and offices in 16 cities worldwide.
