The stars aligned for Turner Stanton, JD/MBA ’26, who is spending his summer doing exactly what he’d hoped to do and where—working for Sidley Austin LLP in San Francisco, California, within the hub of biotech and AI technology innovation. 

How did you connect with this summer opportunity?

During my 1L year, the Office of Career Services alerted us of a reception that Sidley was going to host in Hyde Park. I attended Sidley’s mixer, really enjoyed the people I met there, including a partner in San Francisco, and knew I wanted to apply to work with the firm. I then participated in the recruiting process and was incredibly grateful to be offered the position for my 2L summer in the geography and practice group I wanted! 

How does your experience connect with what you currently envision doing with your law degree?

My application to the JD/MBA Program focused on working at the confluence of business, law, and politics in the technology and mobility industries. Working in the San Francisco Bay Area has enabled me to be at the epicenter of innovation with AI, autonomous vehicles, and biotech developments all around me. My 2L summer (just like 1L), is exactly what I wanted to get out of my UChicago education! 

Please describe a “typical” day at work.

Sidley has prioritized our career development while giving us substantive hands-on work. Each day I attend mentorship sessions where I learn about attorney and partner careers and practice groups, attend learning sessions about corporate law, and work directly on matters for various practice groups in the firm. Sidley has given me work on mergers & acquisitions, corporate governance, emerging company & venture capital, and countless other corporate-law-based matters. 

Outside of the office you would find me at wonderful events hosted by the firm, from a WNBA game (Go Valkyries!) to a SF Giants Game, to even kayaking Half Moon Bay. There has been no shortage of fun socials with my fellow summer associates and other office colleagues. 

What is something you learned or experienced that was surprising or particularly compelling during this summer position?

The pace at which technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is impacting the day-to-day is accelerating across industries. 

Most compelling has been the time investment Sidley attorneys have made in me. I have been blown away by the amount of support I have received to help get hands-on experience and exposure to areas that I am interested in. I chose Sidley because the people felt different while I was a candidate, and I have been incredibly impressed with how genuine and supportive the people at Sidley have been now that I am a summer associate. 

What are a couple of your key takeaways from the experience so far?

• The UChicago JD/MBA prepares you for nearly anything that a firm could throw your way as a summer associate!
• It’s okay to not know what exactly you want to do come graduation, summer experiences are meant to help you figure out what you like doing, and more importantly, what you don’t like so you can have a more intentional start to your career.
• It never hurts to ask. Asking for a coffee chat, asking for exposure to a specific project, or even asking for an introduction can open doors you may not know exist.
• Classroom knowledges needs to be complemented with real-world hands-on experience. 

What advice would you offer another law student contemplating working in a similar position next summer?

Stay focused on the career YOU are trying to build. Don’t get caught up in what others are trying to pursue; their goals shouldn’t be yours. During the recruiting process, reflect on who you are, where you want to be, and who the attorneys are at the firm that you would potentially be working with. Don’t discount the interactions you have with firm representatives in the process. 

How are you spending your free time this summer?

Exploring new restaurants and coffee shops in the city with family and friends, hiking in the redwoods and spending time at the beach, attending San Franciso Giants baseball games, and training for the Chicago Fall Half Marathon.

What are you most looking forward to in returning to UChicago Law this fall?

• Hearing about the summer experiences of my fellow law school classmates and meeting our new 1L class and LLMs. UChicago Law students perform at the pinnacle of excellence and have been some of the most fun people I’ve been around. I can’t wait to be back in UChicago community.
• Taking my work experience into the classroom to discuss with peers and professors how technology is changing the legal field. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

UChicago opens the world for your career aspirations. I came to UChicago wanting to build a career in the San Francisco Bay Area, and by going into recruiting with intention, UChicago helped make my career aspirations possible.