A summer associate at prestigious law firm Sidley Austin’s New York office has been terminated after allegedly biting at least 10 colleagues over several weeks, according to multiple sources familiar with the incident. The unnamed associate, dubbed the “Biglaw Biter” by industry observers, was dismissed from the firm’s summer programme following what insiders describe as a pattern of bizarre workplace behaviour.
The incidents reportedly began early in the 2025 summer associate programme and continued for weeks before the firm took action. Sources indicate the biting was not aggressive but rather characterised as “faux-quirky” behaviour that left visible marks on victims.
According to insiders at the firm, pretty much from the start of the summer, the Biglaw Biter started chomping away at other employees at Sidley Gnaw-stin — not in an aggressive, “we’re beefing” way, but more of a faux-quirky manic pixie dream girl crossed with the Donner party vibe. The behaviour initially went unreported despite affecting numerous employees across the firm’s Seventh Avenue offices.
Pattern of Workplace Misconduct
The extent of the incidents has shocked the legal community. “Her fun fact the first day was she likes biting,” a fellow summer associate reportedly stated on professional networking platform Glassdoor.
A viral text message purportedly from a firm insider detailed the scope of the behaviour. The message claimed victims included summer associates, full-time associates, and at least one human resources staff member. At least one officemate, the text claims, “started wearing long sleeve shirts to the office because she kept getting bit.
The final chomp-count is thought to be in the double digits — which is an awfully long time for the nibbling to continue. Legal news outlet Above the Law, which first reported the story, noted that photographs of bite marks showed bruising severe enough to warrant the term “nibble” being considered “too tame.
Additional Misconduct Allegations
Beyond the biting incidents, sources claim the associate displayed other questionable judgement during her tenure. The viral message alleged she ordered a $2,000 bottle of wine at a dinner with partners and associates, behaviour that reportedly came up during her termination meeting as evidence of “poor judgement.”
The same message characterised the associate as a “horse girl” who regularly said “rawr” and suggested she was “laying low at a Holiday Inn in Maryland” following her dismissal. These additional details could not be independently verified by multiple sources.
Delayed Response Raises Questions
Legal experts have questioned why the behaviour was allowed to continue for an extended period before action was taken. It’s unclear why so many people let this go before reporting the Biglaw Biter, but the rumor is she’s otherwise personable and there was some reluctance to elevate the matter.
“There was a kind of hesitance to raise the issue firm management for a while because they seemed otherwise fine and normal. So there was a lot of, I’m not going to be the snitch kind of vibe going around,” according to reporting by legal podcast Thinking Like a Lawyer.
The delay in addressing the behaviour has raised concerns about workplace safety protocols at elite law firms. Employment law specialists note that physical contact of any kind in professional settings typically warrants immediate intervention.
Firm Declines Comment
Sidley Austin, which operates 21 offices globally and handles complex transactional and litigation matters, declined to comment on the incident when contacted by multiple media outlets. The firm’s silence follows standard practice for internal disciplinary matters.
The prestigious firm, where former US President Barack Obama worked as a summer associate in 1989 and met his future wife Michelle Robinson, has not issued any public statement regarding changes to its summer programme policies.
Comparisons to Past Incidents
The incident has drawn comparisons to previous summer associate misconduct at major law firms. Legal industry observers particularly noted parallels to a 2006 incident involving a Cleary Gottlieb summer associate nicknamed “Aquagirl” who drunkenly jumped into the Hudson River during a work event at Chelsea Piers.
However, legal recruiting experts suggest the current incident may have more serious implications. “Physical contact with colleagues crosses a clear professional boundary,” noted one industry consultant who requested anonymity. “This goes beyond typical summer associate indiscretions.”
Industry Implications
The scandal has prompted discussions about vetting procedures for summer associates at elite law firms. Summer programmes at “Biglaw” firms serve as primary recruiting pipelines, with associates typically earning substantial salaries whilst competing for permanent offers.
Several firms have reportedly begun reviewing their workplace conduct policies in light of the incident. Human resources professionals emphasise the importance of immediate reporting mechanisms for inappropriate behaviour, regardless of the perpetrator’s otherwise professional demeanour.
The incident also highlights challenges firms face in managing workplace culture amongst young professionals adapting to corporate environments. Legal industry analysts suggest firms may need to provide clearer behavioural guidelines during orientation programmes.
Current Status Unknown
The identity of the terminated associate remains undisclosed, likely to protect all parties involved and prevent further reputational damage. It remains unclear whether the individual will face any professional consequences beyond termination from the summer programme.
Legal ethics experts note that whilst the behaviour likely does not rise to the level of professional misconduct requiring bar discipline, it could impact future employment prospects within the legal industry. The widespread circulation of the story across legal blogs and social media has ensured the incident will not be quickly forgotten.
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