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 8 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 committe...
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2025)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2025)
No. of Summer Associates (2025)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Skadden emphasizes culture from the moment its future attorneys start interacting with the firm during the recruiting process, focusing on candidates’ fit as much as their educational backgrounds. Associates report that their colleagues are collegial and friendly, which is important because of the intense work and unpredictable hours. In addition to substantive work, the firm offers a mix of formal and informal events that fosters great working relationships and friendships. Associates appreciate the firm’s commitment to mentorship and formal training. Entry-level associates attend more than one month of onboarding, receive a series of mentors, and can develop close relationships with partners. The firm’s robust pro bono practice, which lets attorneys count unlimited hours toward ...
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 diversification efforts. Skadden boas...
Associate Reviews
- “Generally everyone in litigation is nice and understands the difficulty of the job. Skadden attorneys are incredibly social and do a good job at trying not to be too high-strung despite the high-pressure work.”
- “Fairly group-specific throughout the year, though everyone comes together for the summer program. Lawyers, staff, and paralegals all get to know one another, and it is a very collegial environment. The professional culture is not overly formal, but a high value is placed on av...
Why Work Here
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 Hong Kong, 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 pro bono is unparalleled, with nearly three million hours dedicated to pro bono over the past 15 years.
Getting Hired Here
- “The firm targets the usual suspects in terms of law schools (mostly T14, where they [participate in interviewing programs]), but it is open to applicants from all schools, provided they are a good fit. There are interviewing guidelines.”
- “Grades are the first key factor. If you do not have good grades, then you likely will not get a screener interview. After that, I think the firm is looking for people who are kind, intelligent, and interesting, as well as people who are driven and pa...