November 2006

Since graduating from the University of Miami School of Law in 2004, Sean O'Neill has been working as an attorney at Sidley Austin LLP, a Chicago based firm with over 1,600 lawyers and 15 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. His focus is predominately on litigation, specifically, commercial, securities and antitrust litigation. Some of his responsibilities include drafting/filing written discovery (such as interrogatories, requests for admissions), preparing witnesses for depositions and defending, taking depositions and reviewing documents. Sean also writes motions and briefs as well as counsels clients. “I enjoy the sophistication of the practice, the quality of the clients, and the intelligence of the people with whom I work. I am constantly learning from some of the best and most professional lawyers.”

Prior to working at Sidley Austin, Sean externed for Judge Jordan (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida), was a summer associate at Ruden McClosky, and participated in a clinical placement at the Broward County Public Defender’s Office. At Ruden McClosky, Sean researched various issues of law, including wire-tapping, Sarbanes-Oxley, and Land-Use/Zoning issues. As a certified legal intern at the Public Defender’s Office, Sean assisted in trying eight juvenile criminal cases.

Sean graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he majored in Political Science. During his undergraduate years, Sean was involved in SCC (Student of Color Coalition) and H.E.A.D.S., a peer group for black males to discuss issues affecting them and affecting black males in society. Sean was also the producer and co-host of a variety talk show, The Shomari and Sean O’Neill Show.

While at UM School of Law, Sean was on the Moot Court Board, Inter-American Law Review, and was Secretary of the Black Law Students Association. Sean enjoyed such classes as: Litigation Skills, Evidence, Torts, Criminal Procedure and Con Law II.  After graduation, Sean was elected into the Order of the Coif; a legal honorary scholastic society. In his spare time Sean enjoys golf, photography and watching sports.

Four UM Law Alumni work at Sidley Austin with Sean: Kerriann Mills, Michael Nadler, Lyle Mays, and Kiran Soni.