Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates

Headquarters	Condé Nast Building New York City United States[1]
No. of offices	22
No. of attorneys	Approximately 1,700 [2]
No. of employees	3,500 (estimate)
Major practice areas	Mergers and acquisitions, litigation/controversy, corporate finance, corporate restructuring, SEC reporting and compliance, banking, energy, antitrust and competition, tax, and intellectual property and technology, among others[3]
Key people	Eric J. Friedman[4] Executive partner Claudia F. Joyce[5] Executive director / Strategy Noah J. Puntus[6] Executive director / CFO
Revenue	US$ 2.41 billion (2015) [7]
Date founded	April 1, 1948
Founder	Marshall Skadden, John Slate, and Les Arps
Company type	Limited liability partnership
Website
www.skadden.com

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates (often shortened to Skadden Arps; Skadden; or SASM&F), founded in 1948, is an international law firm based in New York City. With approximately 1,700 attorneys, it is one of the highest-grossing law firms in the world.^[8] Forbes magazine called Skadden "Wall Street's most powerful law firm," and the firm has been named as America's best Corporate Law firm every year since 2001.^[9][10]

Timeline

• 1948 — The firm was founded in New York by Marshall Skadden, John Slate and Les Arps.
• 1954 — Peter Mullen became a partner.
• 1959 — William Meagher joined the firm. Elizabeth Head, the firm's first female attorney, was hired.
• 1961 — The firm's name became Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
• 1973 — The firm opened its Boston office, the firm's second.
• 1981 — Peggy L. Kerr became the first female partner.^[11]
• 1985 — Skadden became one of the U.S.'s three largest law firms.
• 1987 — The firm opened its first international office in Tokyo.
• 1988 — The firm founded the Skadden Fellowship Foundation.
• 2000 — New York City headquarters moved to 4 Times Square, also called the "Condé Nast Building."
• 2011 — Joseph Flom, the last living name partner, dies.^[12]

Locations

As of November 2016, Skadden has 22 offices worldwide.^[13]

Key people

In February 2011, there were 432 Skadden partners worldwide.^[14] As of November 2016, there are 381 partners worldwide. Unlike some firms that have introduced two-tier partnerships with equity and non-equity partners, Skadden maintains a one-tier partnership, in which all partners are equity partners and share ownership of the firm.^[15] Among the more notable partners, counsel and of counsel are:

• Eileen T. Nugent,^[16] co-global leader of firm's transaction practices.
• Scott V. Simpson,^[17] co-global leader of firm's transaction practices.
• David M. Zornow,^[18] global leader of firm's litigation/controversy practices.
• David M. Rievman,^[19] global leader of firm's regulatory practices.
• Thomas H. Kennedy,^[20] global leader of knowledge strategy.
• Gregory B. Craig, former White House Counsel to President Barack Obama.^[21]
• Stephen C. Robinson, former federal district court judge sitting in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and former United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.^[22]
• Patrick B. Fitzgerald, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and, as special counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel, the federal prosecutor in charge of the investigation of the Valerie Plame Affair.^[23]
• Fred T. Goldberg, Jr., Commissioner of Internal Revenue from 1989–92, Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy in the United States Department of the Treasury in 1992.^[24]

Rankings

Skadden's world headquarters in the Condé Nast Building

In 2015 and 2016, Skadden was the fourth largest law firm in the U.S. by revenue;^[25] in 2010 it was the second largest in the world by revenue.^[26] In the 2015 Global 100 survey by The American Lawyer, Skadden ranked as the fourth highest grossing law firm in the world.^[27] In 2016, Skadden had 1,677 attorneys in 22 offices;^[27] in 2011, the firm had 1,886 attorneys in 23 offices.^[28] Measured by the number of attorneys, Skadden is the fifth largest law firm in the State of New York and 12th largest in the United States.^[27][29] In 2016, Skadden was 187th on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies by revenue. Previously, the firm ranked 335th^[30] on the list in 1995, rose to 194th^[31] in 2003 and dropped to 213th in 2010.^[32] Based on the 2017 Vault Law 100 survey of law firm associates by Vault.com, Skadden is the third most prestigious U.S. firm to work.^[33] In 2016, according to NYSE Governance Services and advisory firm FTI Consulting, Skadden was named the top U.S. law firm (a position held by the firm since 2001); the annual findings are published by Corporate Board Member in its list of "America's Best Corporate Law Firms."^[34][35] In 2015, Skadden became the first law firm ever to handle more than $1 trillion in M&A deals in a single year^[36][37] and, for the third time in six years, the Financial Times' "Innovative Lawyers" report named Skadden the most innovative law firm in North America.^[38][39] In the 2016 edition of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Skadden received the most top rankings among law firms, including 67 Band 1 attorney rankings, 35 Band 1 practice rankings and five Star Individual rankings.^[40][41]

Other work

Skadden Fellowship Foundation

Through the Skadden Fellowship Foundation, the firm sponsors law school graduates who wish to practice public interest law. The foundation was established in 1988 at the time of the firm's 40th anniversary. The Los Angeles Times has called the program "a legal Peace Corps."^[42] Fellows work with a sponsoring organization that provides legal services to the poor, the elderly, the homeless, the disabled, and the disenfranchised. Skadden pays fellows a salary of $52,000 (as of 2016),^[43] plus all fringe benefits the sponsoring organization offers its employees. As of 2016, the firm has awarded 761 fellowships.^[44]

Political contributions

Skadden partners and employees tend to support and contribute more to Democratic political candidates than to Republicans.^[45]

Prominent lawyers at the firm endorsed and financially supported John Kerry in his campaign to become president of the United States in 2004.^[46][47]

In the run-up to Super Tuesday, 2008, Skadden hosted a phone bank in support of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.^[48][49]

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Skadden was one of the top law firms contributing to federal candidates during the 2012 election cycle, donating $1.98 million, 76% to Democrats.^[50] By comparison, during that same period Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld donated $2.56, 66% to Democrats,^[50] while oil conglomerate ExxonMobil donated $2.66 million, 88% to Republicans.^[51] Since 1990, Skadden has contributed $11.93 million to federal campaigns, and spent $2.2 million on lobbying since 2000.^[52]

Notable alumni

In addition to numerous professors and partners at other firms, some of the more notable former Skadden attorneys include:

• Amelia Boone, obstacle racer, 2012 Spartan Race World Champion and three-time World's Toughest Mudder champion
• Bruce M. Buck, chairman Chelsea Football Club
• George B. Daniels, judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (2000–)
• Robert Del Tufo, former New Jersey Attorney General and United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey
• John Feerick, former Dean of Fordham University School of Law
• Chip Flowers, first African-American elected official in Delaware (State Treasurer) & Co-Chair, National Democratic State Treasurers (2010-2014)^[53]
• Greg Giraldo, stand-up comedian and television personality^[54]
• Keith Gottfried, General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (2005–)
• Chad S. Johnson, former President of the Stonewall Democrats, New York's first and only citywide LGBT Democratic organization
• Judge Judith S. Kaye, longest-tenured Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, serving from 1993-2008
• Robert S. Pirie, Co-Chairman and CEO of Rothschild, North America, Senior Managing Director of Bear Stearns & Co., and Vice-Chairman of Investment Banking at SG Cowen Securities Corporation
• Douglas Rediker, U.S. Alternate Executive Director, International Monetary Fund (2010–)
• Thomas J. Schwartz, president, SUNY Purchase, and former acting president of Hamilton College
• Irving S. Shapiro, former CEO, DuPont
• Mary L. Smith, principal deputy director and acting agency head of Indian Health Service; former official, United States Department of Justice Civil Division; former nominee, Assistant Attorney General, United States Department of Justice Tax Division
• Leo Strine, Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court (2014–present); previously Chancellor (2011–2014) and Vice-Chancellor (1998–2011) of the Delaware Court of Chancery
• Robert W. Sweet, judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (1978–, senior status 1991–)
• William H. Timbers, former judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (1971–1981, senior status 1981–1994); Chief Judge (1964–1971), judge (1960–1971), United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
• Harold M. Williams, former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair (1977 – 1981)

References

1. "Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, LLP". Lawyer.com. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
2. "Forbes America's Largest Companies". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
3. "Practices - Skadden, Arps". Skadden.com. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
4. "Eric J. Friedman – Skadden". Skadden.com.
5. "Claudia Joyce – Skadden". Skadden.com.
6. "Noah Puntus – Skadden". Skadden.com.
7. "Forbes America's Largest Private Companies". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
8. https://www.skadden.com/the-firm (retrieved Nov. 21, 2016)
9. "America's Top Corporate Law Firms for 2013". FTI Consulting. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
10. Fisher, Daniel. "Wall Street's Most Powerful Law Firm". Forbes. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
11. "For Women Lawyers, An Uphill Struggle". New York Times Magazine. March 6, 1988.
12. "Joseph H. Flom, Pioneering Lawyer in Mergers and Acquisitions, Dies at 87". New York Times. February 23, 2011.
13. "Offices". Skadden. Retrieved 2016-07-21.
14. Skadden > Attorneys Archived February 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
15. "How Skadden Does It", Andrew Longstreth, The American Lawyer, May 2006
16. "Professionals - Skadden, Arps". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
17. "Professionals - Skadden, Arps". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
18. "Professionals - Skadden, Arps". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
19. "Professionals - Skadden, Arps". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
20. "Professionals - Skadden, Arps". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
21. "Professionals - Skadden, Arps". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
22. "Professionals - Skadden, Arps". Skadden.com. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
23. "Professionals - Skadden, Arps". Skadden.com. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
24. "Professionals - Skadden, Arps". Skadden.com. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
25. "Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher | The American Lawyer". www.americanlawyer.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
26. "The Global 100 2010: The World's Highest Grossing Law Firms". The American Lawyer. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
27. "Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher | The American Lawyer". www.americanlawyer.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
28. "IRL Largest 250 Law Firms in the U.S.". Retrieved November 12, 2003.
29. "ILRG Largest 350 Law Firms in the US". www.ilrg.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
30. "Forbes Largest Private Companies 2003". December 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Check date values in: |date= (help)
31. "Forbes Largest Private Companies 2003". December 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Check date values in: |date= (help)
32. "#213 Skadden, Arps - Forbes.com". www.forbes.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
33. "Vault.com|Vault Law 100". Vault. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
34. "NYSE Governance Services FTI Consulting Announce 16th Annual Corporate Law Firms Rankings". www.fticonsulting.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
35. "Skadden Named Best US Corporate Law Firm for 16th Straight Year | Skadden". www.skadden.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
36. Hoffman, Maureen Farrell and Liz. "Trillion Dollar M&A Milestones". WSJ. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
37. "With DuPont Deal, Skadden Breaks $1 Trillion M&A Barrier for 2015". The American Lawyer. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
38. "North America Innovative Lawyers". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
39. "Skadden Again Ranked #1 for Innovation in North America by the FT | Skadden". www.skadden.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
40. "Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates - New York - Law Firm Profile - Chambers USA 2016 - Chambers and Partners". www.chambersandpartners.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
41. "Skadden Tops 2016 Chambers USA Rankings | Skadden". www.skadden.com. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
42. https://www.skaddenfellowships.org/about-foundation
43. "Q&A with Susan Butler Plum: Enabling Young Lawyers to Work with the Poor". Harvard AIDS Initiative. 2016-09-22. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
44. "Skadden Foundation homepage". Nov. 21, 2016. Check date values in: |date= (help)
45. "Fundrace 2008 Campaign Donations, Huffington Post
46. "The New Fat Cats" from Business Week Online April 12, 2004
47. "Business leaders for Kerry" from St. Petersburg Times August 5, 2004
48. "Barack Obama : : Change We Can Believe In | Event | Times Square Phone Bank". My.barackobama.com. 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
49. "Barack Obama : : Change We Can Believe In | Event | Times Square Phone Bank - LAST PUSH". Newyork.barackobama.com. 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
50. "Lawyers & Lobbyists: Top Contributors to Federal Candidates, Parties, and Outside Groups". OpenSecrets.org. Center for Responsive Politics.
51. "Energy/Natural Resources: Top Contributors to Federal Candidates, Parties, and Outside Groups". OpenSecrets.org. Center for Responsive Politics. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
52. "Organizations: Skadden, Arps et al". OpenSecrets.org. Center for Responsive Politics. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
53. http://www.chipflowers.com; http://www.flowerscounselgroup.com/index.php?page=the-honorable-chipman-flowers-jr-esq
54. http://abovethelaw.com/2010/09/greg-giraldo-comedian-former-lawyer-dead-at-44/

Further reading

• Caplan, Lincoln (1993). Skadden: Power, Money, and the Rise of a Legal Empire. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 0-374-26566-6.
• "How Skadden Does It", Andrew Longstreth, The American Lawyer, May 2006.

External links

• Official website
• Skadden Fellowship Foundation
• Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom companies grouped at OpenCorporates