An Audience With

Sidley Austin’s Yvette Ostolaza on hiring from rivals and being a ‘Swiftie’

Every job is sales, says the first female boss of the legal giant, who stresses that being a well-rounded person is a vital quality for every leader

‘It’s not just about technical expertise; that is table stakes’
‘It’s not just about technical expertise; that is table stakes’ Photo: Danilo Agutoli for FN

Sidley Austin’s top lawyer Yvette Ostolaza is busy. Interviewed over two meetings with Financial News in London and via Zoom from New York, she is late on both occasions after client meetings overran.

Ostolaza, who chairs the management committee of the US top 10 law firm, is a client lawyer through and through, despite her management responsibilities.

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