Recognizing that excellence and diversity are inextricably intertwined, Skadden’s ongoing mission is to recruit, retain and promote a diverse group of attorneys and staff throughout the firm.  The firm's success is built on the unique skills, perspectives, experience and values of each of our lawyers and staff.

Diversity Committee

The committee comprises a diverse group of dedicated partners who meet regularly and with a well-defined agenda. They are joined by the directors of attorney recruiting and professional personnel and our full-time diversity manager. The Diversity Committee works closely with our Executive Partner and Hiring, Policy and Partner Selection Committees; and reports regularly on the status of diversity-oriented goals and achievements.  The Diversity Committee recently established the Attorney Diversity Council, which will assist the Committee in shaping and advancing the firm's diversity objectives with regard to recruiting, professional development and community outreach.

The Diversity Committee's mission is to facilitate the implementation of proactive policies addressing the issues of recruiting, retaining and promoting qualified attorneys in all practice areas in all offices with the goal of increasing the diversity of the firm. In addition, the Diversity Committee monitors existing policies and practices to assure they are consistent with, and actively promote, the diversity goals of the firm. Below are the members of the firm's Diversity Committee, all of whom are partners of the firm unless otherwise noted.

Bay Area
Jose Allen
Alec Chang

Boston
Matthew Matule

Chicago
Susan Hassan
Felicia Gerber Perlman

Houston
Noelle Reed

Los Angeles
Jack DiCanio
Michael Lawson

New York
Eric Cochran
Howard Ellin
John Furfaro
Kayalyn Marafioti, Co-Chair
Patricia Moran
Rita Rodin Johnston
David Schwartz
Wallace Schwartz
Rossie Turman
Kirk Wallace, Co-Chair
Vaughn Williams, Co-Chair
Jodie Garfinkel, Director of Professional Personnel and Attorney Development
Carol Sprague, Director of Associate and Alumni Relations and Attorney Recruiting
Melique Jones, Senior Manager, Diversity Development and Programs

Washington, D.C.
Richard Brusca
Antoinette Cook Bush
Charles F. Walker

Wilmington
Robert Saunders

Europe
John Adebiyi
Michal Berkner

Asia
Nobuhisa Ishizuka