The partners, attorneys and staff of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP mourn the loss of Steven J. Kolleeny, an accomplished litigator whose career was marked by a singular dedication to public service. Steve was 58.
Over the past 33 years, Steve played a key role in numerous significant litigation matters, advising clients in a diverse array of securities and commercial cases in state and federal court, including numerous contests for corporate control.
However, Steve was perhaps best known for, and most proud of, his extraordinary dedication to serving individuals seeking political asylum. For more than 25 years, he headed Skadden’s pro bono asylum program. Steve personally secured asylum for more than 40 individuals and supervised another 300 cases, providing invaluable assistance to our attorneys at every step of the process. The many honors he received for his pro bono efforts include Human Rights First’s Frankel Award and the New York State Bar Association’s Empire State Counsel Award. This year, the New York Law Journal selected Steve as one of its "Lawyers Who Lead by Example".
We join Steve’s wife, Eva, and daughters Elizabeth and Natalie in honoring Steve's memory.