Overview
Introduction
With practices 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, and they dive headfirst into complex matters. From New York to Shanghai, the Skadden name is known worldwide, with nearly 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. Attorneys are comm...
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2024)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
As one of the most prestigious law firms, Skadden offers many exceptional features that make it a great place to work. Recruiting is selective, yet social skills are almost as important as top grades. Office settings are inclusive and respectful of attorneys’ lives outside of work, and everyone gets along. Partners are approachable and helpful, and they are keen on providing development opportunities and feedback to associates. Formal and informal mentor relationships, overall, are supportive and beneficial, as are the firm’s more formal training programs. Lateral hires feel welcome and assimilate nicely. Associates get challenging work assignments and experience significant client face time, and they are pushed to take on additional projects that challenge them. Availability and ...
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 exceed $1 billion in annual revenue, now the industry brass ring. Renowned for its M&A prowess, the firm is an all-star across practice areas, boasting an army of nearly 1,700 lawyers around the globe.
If the Shoe Fits
Launched in 1948 by Marshall Skadden, Les Arps, and John Slate, Skadden wasn’t afraid to jump into proxy-fight work during the 1950s and 1960s, setting the stage for the hostile takeovers the firm handled in later years. Much of Skadden’s ethos can be attributed to Joe Flom, who participated in most of the major M&A deals of the 1970s and 1980s, establishing Skadden’s reputation for aggressive strategies and spearheading the firm’s practice diversific...
Associate Reviews
- “Everyone is friendly, warm and welcoming. The group is moderately social—everyone has lives outside of work but also socializes. It's a perfect balance!”
- “Skadden's culture is extremely friendly. It's hard to explain, but the vibe of all the people is just generally cool and impressive.”
- “The firm has a strong culture of inclusivity and investing in its people. The firm has a spirit of partnership with colleagues that spans across the firm.”
- “Lawyers are friendly, and there are plenty of firm-sponsored opportunities to mix and meet, but people generally respect (and expect) you to have a life away from the firm. The atmosphere is very friendly among associates and between associates and partners.”
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
Getting Hired Here
- “Skadden appears to hire from a very diverse group of schools, though the T14 law schools and New York schools are disproportionately represented. Law school grades are important but not the only factors for recruitment. Skadden prioritizes social ability in applicants.”
- “Skadden looks for outgoing people with a variety of backgrounds. Our reputation and standing in the legal community mean good grades and attending a rigorous law school are table stakes, and the firm parses the pool for personality fit from there.”
- “Our firm largely hires from top-tier law schools and candidates with highly competitive grades. Prior work experience and specialized work experience can assist in overcoming less competitive credentials.”
- “What they look for: Proactive, outgoing, good interpersonal skills, near top grades, valuable prior work experience, diversity in life and professional experiences. Feeder schools are mainly Columbia, Harvard, NYU, and UVA. There are trainings and guidelines for interviews.”
Perks & Benefits