Firm Summary
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
The name Skadden has long been associated with greatness, and year after year the firm is recognized as one of the elite players in the global legal market. Founded in 1948, today the firm boasts 22 offices around the world, located in nearly every major global financial center. With more than 1,700 attorneys and over 50 practice areas, Skadden is often viewed as a jack-of-all-trades in the law firm world, though one offering only the highest quality of representation to its clients. The firm is known for handling the most complex and high-profile matters for some of the top financial institutions, businesses, and governmental entities around the world. Over the years, they’ve garnered countless awards and accolades, for good reason.
Firm Stats
- Firm Name
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
- U.S. Lawyer Headcount
- 1212
- Headcount Change Since 2016
Overall
-248
Partner
-40
- Salary Scale
- Market
- Bonus Category
- Full Match < 2000 Hours Billable Requirement
- Hours Required
- 1,800 - 2,000
- Top Feeder Schools
- Columbia Law School, Harvard Law School, Georgetown University Law Center
- Average Lawyer Tenure at Firm (Years)
- 6.9
- Revenue Per Lawyer Change Over Five Years
- 11%
- Women Partners (as Percentage of U.S. Lawyer Headcount)
- 5%
- Women Partners (As a Percentage of U.S. Partnership)
- 27%
- Promotion Rate
- 2%
- Most Common Federal Case Types
- Medical/Pharmaceutical Product Liability, Personal Injury, Finance
- Most Active Federal Jurisdictions
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- Frequent Federal Litigation Clients
- Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Depuy International Limited
Firm Policies
Work/Life Balance
- 12 weeks paid, gender-neutral parental leave, regardless of caregiver status
- Birthing mothers eligible for additional disability leave (typically 6-8 weeks)
- Flexible schedule for easing the transition back to work
- Access to back-up child care (including 3 months of subsidized care at a back-up childcare center)
- Access to a child development specialist
- Nursing mother accommodations in all offices
Benefits and Perks
- Bar review course (PMBR, MPRE)
- Bar exam fees, hotel, travel
- $10K salary advance + $5K in March
- $3-4K moving reimbursement, house hunting services, 2-night hotel stay for house hunting
- Pro-rated stub bonus
- Full payback required if associate leaves in 12 months (4 months for moving expenses)
- Additional $10K bonuses for Class of 2012+ for “extraordinary performance”
Superstars
Nancy Lieberman
Of Counsel - Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity Transactions, Corporate Governance Matters and Corporate Restructurings
The firm’s youngest partner ever, Lieberman is one of the most respected lawyers in the M&A field. Even after a tragic skiing accident that left her without the use of her arms and legs, she continued to successfully handle some of the firm’s biggest deals.
Jay Kasner
Partner - National Head of Securities Litigation, Complex Litigation and Trials
The head of the firm’s securities litigation practice, Kasner continues to rack up accolades year after year, from the likes of Chambers and the Wall Street Journal. In addition to handling some of the firm’s largest cases, he’s scored his fair share of victories before the U.S. Supreme Court.
David Zornow
Partner - Government Enforcement and White Collar Crime
The global head of litigation at Skadden, Zornow founded the firm’s renowned white collar practice in 1989, drawing on his prior experience and successes in high-profile cases during his days as a federal prosecutor.
Ken Kumayama
Counsel - Intellectual Property and Technology, Cybersecurity and Privacy
An expert at IP strategy and cross-border licensing issues, Kumayama was recently named a Top Artificial Intelligence Lawyer in California by the LA Daily Journal.
Paola Lozano
Partner - Mergers and Acquisitions
Recognized as a 2019 Distinguished Leader by the New York Law Journal, the New York-based M&A partner is co-chair of the firm’s Latin America Group and the head of its Spanish language corporate law practice.
Above the Law Coverage
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Skadden’s Hiring Practices Under Scrutiny: Greg Craig Attorneys Say There’s Nothing Wrong With Helping Paul Manafort’s Kid Get A Biglaw Job
Getting a client’s kid a job in Biglaw? Totally normal behavior.
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Biglaw Giant Rolls Out Bonuses — With Extra Cash Available For Senior Associates
We shouldn’t be surprised senior associates are getting some extra love.
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Federal Prosecutors Are Thinking About Going After Skadden
The Biglaw firm is under fire for its work on behalf of Paul Manafort.
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Associates Will Soon Be Making Even More Bank At This Biglaw Firm
But some of them might not be receiving their bonuses…
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Which Biglaw Firm Is Best For Pro Bono? (2017)
The pro bono all stars!
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Skadden Announces Layoffs Across U.S. Offices
The layoffs hit professional staff at the elite firm.
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Skadden Announces Year-End Bonuses And Makes Up For Lost Time
That’s an impressive payday coming associates’ way — especially for senior associates!
The Law Firm Transparency Project draws upon Above the Law research as well as data provided by Leopard Solutions and UniCourt. Click here for an expanded methodology and definition of terms.
