Turnover up 5.5 per cent at Sidley's London base

Overall turnover at the US-firm went up 5.6 per cent to $1.41bn (£884m) during the 2011 financial year (8 February 2012) while revenue at the firm’s London office rose 5.5 per cent from $75.9m to $80.1m.

Sidley London managing partner Drew Scott said the City base stood out last year for its unusual synergy of practice areas, with the firm’s structured finance, dispute resolution and insolvency lawyers working closely together.

“One of the most memorable features of 2011 for me was our success in ’hunting in packs’,’’ said Scott. ‘‘Cross-group teams made compelling sells.’’

Earlier this year the firm hired Linklaters partner Stephen Blackshaw for its City corporate practice (21 February 2012).

Sidley’s London headcount dropped slightly last year, from 216 to 208, while partner numbers rose - from 36 to 39 - despite the loss of Dennis Dillon to Hogan Lovells in January 2011 (24 January 2011).