Eric J. Friedman

Eric J. Friedman assumed the role of Executive Partner at Skadden in April 2009. An internationally recognized corporate attorney, he concentrates in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and general corporate law.

Mr. Friedman has been involved in a number of significant transactions in the financial services industry. For example, he has represented Citigroup Inc. in many of its most important M&A deals over the past decade. Mr. Friedman also is experienced in matters involving financial exchanges. He represented The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. in its initial public offering and its acquisition of the Nordic exchange operator OMX and the related sale of a 19.9 percent interest in NASDAQ to Borse Dubai; and the New York Mercantile Exchange in its sale of a 10 percent stake to General Atlantic Partners, and its initial public offering.

As Executive Partner, Mr. Friedman has reinforced Skadden’s long-standing commitment to attracting, retaining and developing a diverse group of talented lawyers and staff. In recognition of Skadden’s diversity, inclusion and public service efforts, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund presented Skadden with its first-ever “Law Firm of the Year” award in 2011. Mr. Friedman is a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, a national organization of corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners. In 2012, Mr. Friedman received a “Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award” from the New York City Bar Association in recognition of his commitment to initiating and sustaining change at Skadden.

In 2011, The National Law Journal acknowledged Mr. Friedman’s accomplishments since becoming Skadden’s Executive Partner by naming him as one of its three “Most Influential” law firm leaders. He has been listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and the Directorship 100. Under Mr. Friedman’s leadership, Skadden has ranked as a top firm in the Financial Times’ “U.S. Innovative Lawyers” Report (2010-2012).

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