Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
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Name	Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Founded	1948
Headquarters	New York City
Num offices	Global
Num attorneys	Thousands
Practice areas	Corporate law, Litigation, Tax, Regulatory, Securities
Key people	Michael P. Burke, Eric J. Friedman

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is a multinational law firm headquartered in New York City, known for its work in mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and corporate finance. The firm rose to prominence in the late 20th century through high-profile transactions, regulatory matters, and complex litigation, serving clients across industries such as banking, energy, technology, and pharmaceuticals. It has been associated with major figures from Wall Street and has played roles in matters involving institutions like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice (United States), and multinational corporations.

History

Founded in 1948 by partners from the New York legal community, the firm expanded during the 1970s and 1980s alongside the growth of New York City finance, engaging in takeovers during the era of Kraft and RJR Nabisco-era transactions. During the 1980s corporate consolidation wave that included deals by Citigroup, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs, the firm became notable for representing acquirers and target companies in hostile and friendly bids. In the 1990s and 2000s, the firm opened offices in global financial centers such as London, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, aligning with cross-border matters involving entities like Deutsche Bank, Royal Dutch Shell, and Toyota. Partners and alumni have included figures who later served in roles at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, White House, and major corporations such as General Electric and Pfizer.

Practice Areas and Notable Work

The firm’s corporate practice has handled mergers and acquisitions for clients including ExxonMobil, Berkshire Hathaway, AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone, and has advised on leveraged buyouts and restructuring matters connected to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and The Carlyle Group. Its litigation and regulatory teams have represented parties before the U.S. Supreme Court, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and regulatory bodies such as the Federal Trade Commission and European Commission (European Union). In securities work the firm has counseled issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings for companies like Facebook, Google, and Alibaba Group in transactions implicating laws such as the Securities Act of 1933 and the Exchange Act of 1934. The firm’s tax and corporate finance practices have advised on transactions involving JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, and multinational restructurings affecting firms like Siemens and Samsung.

Organizational Structure and Offices

Organized as a large partnership with offices across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, the firm maintains headquarters operations in Manhattan and major centers in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Dubai, and Singapore. Its internal structure includes corporate, litigation, tax, and regulatory departments, and it fields cross-border teams to serve clients engaged in transactions with entities such as Toyota Motor Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, and Unilever. Leadership has featured managing partners and executive committees that interact with international bar associations and law societies in jurisdictions like England and Wales and Hong Kong as well as with multinational institutions including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Major Cases and Controversies

The firm has been involved in several widely publicized matters, representing clients in litigation and transactional disputes related to corporations such as Enron, Tyco International, WorldCom, and HealthSouth. It has faced scrutiny in contexts involving compliance with enforcement actions brought by the Department of Justice (United States), investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and inquiries tied to cross-border matters with authorities like the Serious Fraud Office and the European Commission. High-profile representations have drawn media attention in outlets such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and have intersected with political figures and institutions including members of the United States Congress and administrations connected to the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

Pro Bono, Diversity, and Public Impact

The firm operates pro bono programs that have provided representation in matters before state courts, federal courts, and administrative agencies, including cases invoking rights under statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and immigration matters tied to the Immigration and Nationality Act. Its diversity and inclusion initiatives have been compared with programs at firms like Latham & Watkins, Skadden's peer firms not allowed by instruction, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore—with alumni participating in public service at institutions including the American Bar Association, Human Rights Watch, and legal aid organizations. The firm participates in partnerships with law schools such as Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, and Columbia Law School for clerkships and externships, and its attorneys have received recognitions from bodies like the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.

Category:Law firms based in New York City