Skadden
One Manhattan West
New York, NY 10001-8602
New York, NY 10001-8602
(212) 735-3000
Overview
Introduction
From M&A to tax, Skadden is a legal powerhouse and mainstay among the most prestigious firms in Vault’s Top 100 ranking. Skadden lawyers are a social bunch who value teamwork and mentorship, while also diving headfirst into complex matters. From New York to Shanghai, the Skadden name is worldwide, with approximately 1,700 attorneys across eight U.S. offices and 13 international offices. Exit opportunities are endless for Skadden attorneys, due to the firm’s strong alumni network and prestigious name. The firm’s commitment to pr...
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2022)
1.5K - 2K
No. of Partners Named (2022)
19
Featured Rankings
Vault Law 100
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2022)
187
No. of Summer Associates (2022)
255 total (212 2Ls; 43 1Ls)
No. of U.S. Offices
8
Vault Verdict
Skadden focuses on hiring top candidates with a strong academic record and a personality that will fit the firm’s highly social environment. Associates and partners frequently interact both within the bounds of the office and after hours and have a collegial relationship. While the prospects for partnership are murky, associates value the plentiful exit opportunities that Skadden offers through their alumni network. Associates feel the firm could improve their communication and transparency when it comes to internal promotions, but appreciate the genuine interest partners take in associates’ development. Incoming associates are assigned senior associate and partner mentors to ensure support and guidance in navigating their first year at Skadden. While busy times are somewhat unpre...
About the Firm
Skadden is one of the most profitable and well-known law firms in the world. It was the first law firm to report $1 billion in annual revenue, now an industry brass ring. While the firm may be best known for its M&A prowess, it is an all-star across practice areas, boasting an army of about 1,700 lawyers around the globe.
If the Shoe Fits
Skadden was launched in 1948 by trio Marshall Skadden, Les Arps, and John Slate. Unlike many of the white shoe firms, Skadden wasn’t afraid to jump into proxy-fight work during the ’50s and ’60s, which set the stage for the hostile takeovers the firm handled in later years. Much of Skadden’s ethos can be attributed to Joe Flom, who started at Skadden six months after its 1948 founding. Flom par...
2023 Vault Rankings
Associate Reviews
- “Intentions are always good, but demands of work sometimes prevent the best of intentions from coming to fruition. Everyone is always congenial and welcoming. Relationships between attorneys and staff are grounded in mutual respect and appreciation.”
- “The firm has many affinity networks and groups where attorneys can meet and socialize. People are very accessible and are willing to make time to meet one-on-one with associates.”
- “Social, but not overwhelmingly so. Attorneys and professional staff have the opportunity to see each other outside of work/after work, but are never forced to do so.”
- “The work environment is collegial and fairly laid back and the partners are approachable. Social events have been limited due to the ongoing COVID restrictions, but both partners and associates make a good effort to show up to the events that we do have. The firm provides good opportunities for associates across practice areas to get together for social events.”
Why Work Here
The key to Skadden’s success is the strength of our team globally. We are committed to hiring, developing and empowering high-performing attorneys whose diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences provide an important advantage in our ability to deliver innovative solutions to our clients. We invite you to learn more about opportunities at our firm for law students and graduates.
Diversity at Skadden
"Skadden's commitment to foster a diverse and inclusive environment is fundamental to our firm's values. Our global diversity and inclusion (D&I) mission is to hire, develop and empower highly performing attorneys whose diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences provide an important advantage in our ability to deliver excellent service and innovative solutions to our clients. During the 2L hiring season each year, we conduct on-campus interviews or résumé collections at more than three dozen U.S. law schools or..."
Getting Hired Here
JOB OPENINGS AT THIS COMPANY
- “Top academic credentials are a given, but I think Skadden is a bit more personality selective than other firms. The firm tends to look for people who will fit in with our culture by being friendly, team-oriented, and social.”
- “The firm looks for people who will be top lawyers, but also largely top people. Personality goes a long way in the hiring process, as Skadden is full of sociable, down-to-earth attorneys. That’s what drew me to the firm.”
- “The firm generally hires from the top law schools, and then also hires the top ranked students from schools in the vicinity of the office. Clerkships and prior work experience are also highly valued, as are personality and diversity.”
- “The firm is looking for the best candidates available, but factors in more than pure academic standing and pure law school ranking. The interview process is designed to get a wide range of input from different attorneys at different levels. This helps ensure that the person selected is given the best opportunity to present themselves.”
Practice Area Q&A’s
Noelle Reed
Partner
Skadden
Christopher M. Barlow
Partner
Skadden
P. Michelle Gasaway
Partner
Skadden
Julia K. York
Partner
Skadden
Laura Kaufmann Belkhayat
Partner
Skadden
