A kingpin of the corporate and transactional world, NYC-born Skadden has proven itself to be the firm that never sleeps.
Skadden Lateral Profile 2025
“There’s something special here, there’s something in the water… Skadden is the best decision I’ve ever made. You could double my salary, and I wouldn’t go to another firm,” one associate affirmed when asked what drew them to Skadden.
While Skadden is undoubtedly a Big Apple Native through and through, the firm has stateside outposts from East to West; from Palo Alto to Washington DC, Boston to Chicago, Houston to Century City – and Wilmington too! – while its international offerings include offices in Tokyo, London, and Abu Dhabi. Of these locations in the US, most of the associates on our list were in New York, with DC and Chicago following closely behind.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“I chose Skadden because, from my first interview with them, it felt like home.”
“I perceived my firm to have great formal training for new associates. I also knew the work would be demanding and fast-paced, and that I would learn a lot very quickly.”
“There is good opportunity for growth and ability to work on the most interesting deals on the front page of the news.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
undisclosed |
2.96 : 1 |
43% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
55% |
26% |
68% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
Hours & Compensation
|
1,800 |
11 |
47.6 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
60% |
85% |
82% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
felt like they could take vacation/annual leave on their own terms |
found the firm's claims around bonus allocation to be authentic |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
*The firm did not disclose its salaries beyond this point.
Is Skadden the right firm for you?
|
91% |
94% |
88% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality |
felt that they chose the right firm |
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“I was drawn to the casual and social nature. People seemed really outgoing but it was still a prestigious firm to work at.”
“During recruitment, I saw a healthy balance of excellence at work and prioritizing personal life and health.”
“Skadden is filled with people who are eager to teach, social, caring and smart.”
Wellbeing
The view from the firm: Attorney and professional staff well-being is a firm priority. Skadden is committed to creating a culture and tone that supports mental health and overall well-being. Our Live Well/Work Well platform offers robust resources and training that focuses on four spheres: emotional, financial, physical and social. Skadden continues to be a signatory to the ABA Well-Being Pledge highlighting our dedication to improving well-being not only within the firm but across the legal industry. Select initiatives include:
- A robust well-being onboarding program for new associates including expert-led sessions in all our four spheres of focus: physical, emotional, financial and social.
- Confidential access to Lyra, a mental health and well-being platform with intelligent matching technology and concierge support. The platform quickly connects members to an exclusive network of evidence-based providers.
- Virtual global workshops and seminar series, including Mental Health Awareness, Substance Use Awareness, Work & Family Month and Sleep Awareness.
- Behavioral Health First Aid Training for managers and leaders to raise mental health awareness and provide guidance on handling mental health related challenges.
- A Leading Lawyers series facilitated by psychologists supporting junior and mid-level attorneys learning to proactively manage mental health and well-being challenges throughout their career and developing skills as future leaders in the legal profession.
- Ongoing virtual Mindful Mondays program and keynote sessions from leading experts in the fields of mindfulness, neuroscience, meditation and self-compassion. To foster a deeper awareness across the Firm of the science behind mindfulness and the benefits of practice, we developed and launched a Mindfulness Champions program. This program aims to cultivate a global mindfulness community amongst all Skadden offices. Champions attend trainings where they practice mindfulness and learn how it can be applied to different aspects of their lives — personal, professional, community and beyond.
Pro Bono
|
104 |
91% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: Skadden aims for a 50% reduction in our carbon footprint (Scopes 1 and 2) by 2030. We intend to reach this goal by remaining actively engaged in sustainability efforts and working closely with experts to develop new approaches to limiting our leading sources of emissions, including electricity usage, air travel and paper use. We also will continue to partner with our attorneys, professional staff, clients, communities and fellow law firms to effect change outside our firm, through both public and pro bono service.
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