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Interesting selling points

We cover these selling points in more detail below, alongside other relevant firm facts and characteristics.

Practice areas / services

Skadden is a full-service law firm, with a broad range of practice areas including:

Chambers and Partners, leading analyst of the legal market, has awarded Skadden its highest ‘Band 1’ ranking for the department of Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration. 

Key sectors / industries

Skadden services a broad range of industries, with some of its highest-value clients operating in the following sectors:

Chambers and Partners, a leading analyst of the legal market, has awarded Skadden its highest ‘Band 1’ ranking for its International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration department. See here for more information

Work

Skadden consistently advises on high-profile, cross border matters. Some examples of its recent work include:

Offices / global footprint / expansion

Headquarters: New York, 1 Manhattan West

Offices: Skadden has a total of 22 offices across 4 different continents, including offices in Toronto, Seoul, Munich and Moscow.

Insights, internships and other opportunities

Skadden offers a number of opportunities for individuals wishing to gain experience in the legal industry and learn more about life at the firm. Opportunities for interested applicants include: a programme of open days, both virtual and in person, during which students can learn more about life in the firm’s London office; and Skadden’s spring and two summer vacation schemes, which enable successful applications to participate in training workshops, insight sessions and a group-based research task, alongside supporting supervisors with client matters. Note that, at least at the time of writing, training contracts are only available following a vacation scheme.

Training contract

The Skadden training contract consists of four six-month seats, with mandatory seats in corporate transactions and litigation/international arbitration during the first year. The second year of training then provides the opportunity for trainees to gain exposure in other offices and practice areas. Besides direct client-facing experience, trainees can also expect a comprehensive training schedule featuring weekly seminars and workshops, as well as an intensive four-week program in New York upon qualification.

In 2020, Skadden established the ‘Justice First Skadden Trainee Programme’, a training contract administered in partnership with the Legal Education Foundation’s Justice First Fellowship. Skadden sponsors one trainee each year to pursue a career in social welfare law, providing funding and ancillary support to the trainee throughout their training. 

Secondments

Skadden offers select trainees one of three opportunities for an international secondment: a seat in Brussels, in Competition; a seat in New York, in Corporate; or a seat in Hong Kong, in Banking.

Technology and innovation

Skadden is committed to utilising technology to provide clients with flexible and innovative legal services, with related initiatives including:

  • Blockchain & Fintech: as part of the firm’s investment in providing leading advice in the innovative fields of Blockchain & Fintech, partner Jessie Liu spoke in 2021 at Harvard Law School’s Blockchain & Fintech Conference.
  • BTI Legal Innovation Outlook: Skadden’s commitment to innovation and technology was recognised in BTI Consulting Group’s 2019 Legal Innovation and Technology Outlook, in which Skadden was ranked in the top 2 percent of all firms for its commitment to innovation.
  • Innovation in Pro Bono: Brenna DeVaney, counsel at Skadden, has spoken about the impact of technology and innovation on the provision of pro bono services across the firm, including helping to ensure a more efficient allocation of projects and lawyers.

Corporate social responsibility

Skadden views pro bono work as a ‘core aspect’ of its culture and accordingly invests ample resources in charitable endeavors. Some examples of its diverse and far-reaching pro bono work include: 

Diversity and inclusion

Skadden believes diversity, equity and inclusion are ‘fundamental’ to its success. To this end, the firm has a number of initiatives in place to foster a welcoming work environment, including: 

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