“I wish I had known how much I would enjoy building a cutting-edge finance practice at Sidley and how achievable it would be. As a leader, I encourage others to chart their personal and professional journeys with confidence in a great outcome.”
Thirty-one years ago, Teresa Harmon joined Sidley Austin’s Chicago finance group fresh out of law school and a clerkship. Throughout her career, she has worked at the cutting edge of financial innovation, developing complex structures and adapting the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to an evolving industry. As a key member of the Global Finance Group, her expertise spans asset-backed lending (ABL) and securitizations for mainstream and esoteric assets, post- financial crisis market support and emerging technologies like fintech and crypto.
One of Harmon’s most rewarding initiatives was co-founding and serving on the drafting committee for the landmark 2022 UCC Emerging Technology Amendments. This joint effort established Article 12, creating the first clear statutory rules for digital assets. Now law in 33 jurisdictions — including New York as of December 2025 — these amendments form the foundation of the digital asset lending market. Today, she continues to shape commercial law through her work on the UCC’s Permanent Editorial Board.
In addition to her practice, Harmon has spent seven years as co-office managing partner for Sidley’s 1,500-person Chicago office. Responsible for both people and place, she mobilizes her team and engages the community to grow the firm’s 160-year local legacy. Balancing this leadership role with serving world-class finance clients provides a stimulating challenge.
Harmon’s leadership style centers on innovation, collaborative problem-solving and a client-first mindset. She advises early-career professionals to remain optimistic and confident. She encourages them to take on tough assignments, learn from mistakes, pursue curiosity-driven opportunities and seek out mentors to navigate challenges. Maintaining this mindset is a powerful asset that can support them through every stage of their careers.
