Apply now!Diversity at Skadden
Diversity, equity and inclusion are considered fundamental to Skadden's success. They believe that these values bring a wealth of different perspectives to address clients’ most pressing issues across a wide spectrum of industries, geographies, and cultures. Skadden aims to develop initiatives specifically aimed at addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, including initiatives for recruiting, professional development, attorney retention and advancement, and cross-cultural awareness. These initiatives are continually woven into the fabric of the firm to inculcate inclusion principles.
Skadden has established a comprehensive infrastructure that includes global and local Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committees and a women's initiative. The firm's leadership provides an unwavering and visible imprimatur, and full-time administrative staff support the mechanisms for input and feedback from Skadden's personnel. Skadden believes that its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts help create a community built on the idea that similarities and differences are sources of strength.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership
Skadden's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are extensive both within the organization and the legal profession. The firm's global DEI initiative and women's initiative are led by partners who collaborate closely with the executive partner, local office committees, and administrative professionals to create and implement recruitment, development, and retention strategies aimed at increasing diversity and equity across all levels of the firm, as well as cultivating an inclusive workplace culture. Skadden has adopted the Mansfield Rule, which mandates that proposed slates for promotions, lateral partner and senior associate hiring, and certain committee appointments, as well as participation in formal new business pitches, include at least 30% people of color, women, LGBTQ+ attorneys or attorneys with disabilities.
Skadden also has DEI Committees in its Asia Pacific (Hong Kong and Tokyo), Europe (Brussels, Frankfurt, London and Paris) and U.S. (all) offices.
In addition, the firm actively seeks and creates opportunities to advance DEI in the legal profession and local communities. In 2020, Skadden took the lead in launching the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance, a partnership of over 240 law firms and legal services organizations dedicated to addressing and dismantling systemic racism in the legal industry. Skadden is also a member of The Alliance for Asian American Justice, which aims to assist victims of hate crimes in accessing the legal system and overcoming barriers that often prevent them from obtaining legal assistance.
Recognition
- Recognized as a 2022 Best Law Firm for Women by Seramount (formerly known as Working Mother Media)
- For the 13th time in 14 years, named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and received a 100% score on the 2022 Corporate Equality Index.
- In 2022, received the Women in Law Empowerment Forum’s Gold Standard Certification for the 12th consecutive year, one of six firms to meet the certification since its introduction.
- Named as a 2021 Compass Award winner by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, recognizing our commitment to building more diverse organizations and a more inclusive legal profession.
- Recognized among the firms with the highest representation of Black attorneys by The American Lawyer Diversity Scorecard in 2021.
- Recipient of the Asian American Bar Association of New York’s 2020 Law Firm Diversity Award.
- Recipient of the Ministry of Defence Silver Award under the U.K. Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, demonstrating our commitment and support of the armed forces in our London office.
- Executive Partner Eric Friedman received the Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award from the New York City Bar Association in 2012. He is the only law firm managing partner to receive the award.
- The first recipient of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) Law Firm of the Year Award when it was inaugurated in 2011. The LDF cited the leadership of Joe Flom and the Skadden Fellows Program.
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