Sidley announced today that Yvette Ostolaza is now Chair of the Firm’s Management Committee, effective May 2022. A landmark leadership change at one of the top global law firms, Yvette is the first female chair of a top 7 AmLaw firm and the first Hispanic to hold a chair at a top 10 AmLaw firm.
Elected in April 2021, Ms. Ostolaza succeeds Larry Barden, who had served as chair of the committee since April 2014. As chair of the nine-member Management Committee, Ms. Ostolaza will work closely with Michael Schmidtberger, who will continue as chair of the 34-member Executive Committee. The Management Committee oversees all the firm’s operations and serves as one of Sidley’s principal governing bodies, along with the Executive Committee.
Since April 2021 as chair-elect, Yvette conducted a listening tour, visiting many of Sidley’s offices to hear from colleagues and determine her vision for the firm in the coming years. In 2022, she will prioritize the innovative associate development program which launched in 2021, with a focus on equipping Sidley lawyers with the tools to be business-minded problem solvers.
