Skadden

Skadden (formally Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom) is a US law firm which today ranks as the fifth-largest law firm globally by revenue.

Originally founded in 1948 in New York, Skadden has evolved into a legal juggernaut and firmly part of the so-called ‘global elite’ of leading law firms - the select group of firms at the very top of the market globally known for their prestige, financial muscle and international reach.

Renowned for its pioneering work in M&A, restructuring and capital markets, by the 1980s it was firmly entrenched among the world’s top three revenue-generating law firms, a position it has rarely relinquished.

Fast forward to today, and the firm operates with over 1,700 lawyers across 21 offices spanning four continents, including Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

While Skadden is a powerhouse across numerous practice areas - notably, restructuring, capital markets, litigation, private equity and antitrust/competition - its M&A prowess is what sets it apart.

In 2024, Skadden was the second-biggest M&A dealmaker of any firm globally, advising on 211 deals worth a total of $422 billion during the year, trailing only Kirkland & Ellis who secured first place. Skadden jumped from fifth place in 2023.

Closer to home, Skadden’s London office is a key cog in the firm’s global machine.

Set up in 1988, the City outpost has steadily grown into a formidable player in its own right, handling high-stakes cross-border matters and working closely with the firm’s US and Asia teams. Its client roster features a who’s who of major companies, financial institutions and governments.

With almost 250 lawyers now based in London, Skadden has seen its UK ranks swell dramatically over the past five years. In fact, it has experienced the second-largest increase in lawyer count among the top international firms in London, behind only rival Kirkland.

The London partnership is equally robust, with around 34 partners, more than two-thirds of whom are regarded as leaders in their field by law firm rankings provider Chambers.

The office itself is housed in the iconic 22 Bishopsgate, the tallest office building in London.

Since late-2022, Skadden has occupied three floors of the 62-storey skyscraper, which is also home to fellow US firms Cooley, Covington & Burling and McDermott. The building's perks include a 20,000 sq ft food market, wellbeing retreat, London’s largest bicycle park (with more than 1,700 spaces) and even a ‘sky wall’ -  a climbing window on the 25th floor.

Other things to know

First Middle East Office: In January 2025, Skadden announced the opening of its first office in the Middle East, choosing Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi has become an important financial centre, attracting banks, hedge funds and VC firms in particular. To lead the new office, Skadden hired corporate partner Michael Hilton from Freshfields.

China Withdrawal: Skadden announced plans to close its Shanghai office and reduce its China corporate practice in 2024. The move is part of a wider trend of major Big Law players exiting the Chinese market over increased data security risks and geopolitical challenges between the US and China.

What is Skadden known for?

Skadden is a full service corporate law firm. In the UK market, it is best known for its expertise in the following areas:

Arbitration: Regarded as among the best of any City firm, Skadden’s arbitration practice represents clients in cases before all the major arbitral institutions. The firm’s international arbitration practice has a Band 1 ranking from Chambers.

Corporate/M&A: Skadden has long been a global powerhouse on M&A deals, and it also has a leading London practice advising on both private and public transactions. The firm is ranked in Band 2 by Chambers for its advice on the highest-value deals.

Private Equity: Alongside its conventional corporate practice, Skadden is known as one of the City’s leading M&A advisers on European private equity deals. The firm is ranked in Band 3 by Chambers for its advice on the biggest buyouts.

Banking & Finance: Skadden has a leading borrower-side practice, advising on the full range of big-ticket financing matters. It works for private equity sponsors and companies. It is ranked in Band 2 by Chambers for its borrower-side advice.

What's Chambers?

We use Chambers rankings to demonstrate a firm's strengths. Chambers is the most highly-regarded provider of law firm rankings in the legal industry. Law firms are ranked in bands from 1 (highest) to 6 (lowest) across a range of practice areas.

It's important to note that being ranked in any band at all is still considered a significant achievement.

Who does Skadden compete with?

Skadden competes directly with global elite rivals, including Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins, as well as the Magic Circle firms in the UK.

In 2023, Skadden's total revenue was $3.2 billion.

In 2023, its profit per equity partner (PEP) was $5.4 million.

How much does a partner at Skadden make?

In 2023, Skadden’s average profit per equity partner (PEP) was $5.4 million.

This is the total amount of profit available for distribution among equity partners, divided by the number of equity partners at the firm.

This represents the average amount that equity partners are entitled to. Some will receive significantly more, some less. It depends on the firm’s profit-sharing formula and each partner’s seniority.

How many trainees does Skadden take?

Skadden takes on around 20 trainees each year in the UK, starting in September.

Trainees complete four seats in different departments, each lasting six months.