NO ONE DOES IT ALONE AT SKADDEN.

Here, you’ll benefit from a network of attorneys with unmatched experience and a passion for teaching their craft. The knowledge you gain and the impact you make at Skadden will create ripple effects that will last throughout your career.

Let’s begin to carve your path.

We give attorneys lots of opportunities and provide them with the support necessary to succeed. Ryan Dzierniejko flourished in this environment, taking on increasing responsibility until he started leading deals as a still-very-young associate. That’s the Skadden model!

David Goldschmidt

Partner, Capital Markets

Ryan Dzierniejko

Partner, Capital Markets (Bio)

Who is the “Skadden attorney”?

Someone who checks all of the expected boxes: smart and hard-working; a team player with strong ethics. Equally important, someone who understands that being a good lawyer isn’t just knowing rules and procedures — it’s also providing strategic advice that helps position clients for success. Unpacking complex laws and systems in a way that distills complicated concepts to facilitate better-informed decisions. Using EQ as much as IQ to solve problems.

Best career advice I’ve received

To carve my own path — whether as a junior associate or as a partner. There are so many types of matters to work on at Skadden — it’s up to each of us to figure our areas of interest and a career direction. That process begins Day One at the firm, and it never stops.

When I made partner, Howard pushed me to focus on the types of deals I was passionate about and to build my practice around them. In addition to Fortune 500 companies, I wanted to handle pre-IPO unicorn rounds and IPOs of the next generation of leading companies. Howard was instrumental in helping me realize that goal.

“As an associate, I had the good fortune to be mentored by and learn from many of the true legends in my field. I consider it a responsibility and a privilege to pass on that knowledge, along with whatever else I may have learned along the way, to Ryan and others in the next generation at Skadden.”
– Howard Ellin / Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions (Bio)

I started my career in Skadden’s 10-attorney Toronto office and moved to the 800-attorney New York office as a senior associate. Wherever I was, David — who runs our Capital Markets Group globally — identified opportunities for me to grow at the firm.

▼ A conversation with David Goldschmidt / Partner, Capital Markets (Bio)

Graham puts the voices of more junior attorneys ahead of his own, giving them a chance to shine while simultaneously acting as their biggest cheerleader. For me, this exemplifies true leadership.

“Our associates often remark that they get to take on significant responsibilities before their peers elsewhere are afforded similar opportunities. That’s because the sophistication and complexity of our deals gives our lawyers consistent chances to grow. Ryan’s experience before making partner exemplifies this dynamic.”
– Graham Robinson / Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions (Bio)

Raquel (who joined the firm from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) is a huge help with clients who have thorny regulatory issues. I can say, “Don’t worry, let me phone a friend so we can take care of this for you.”

“At Skadden, we take pride in working as a team — joining forces to help our clients succeed. What that means in practice is that, although Ryan and I work in different practice groups and cities, we regularly turn to each other when we need additional insights. They’re never ‘my clients’ or ‘his clients’ — at Skadden, they’re ‘our clients.’”
– Raquel Fox / Partner, SEC Reporting & Compliance; M&A (Bio)

See how these relationships have influenced Ryan’s career at Skadden

One of the benefits of being at Skadden, which Maya Florence took advantage of to her great credit, is that we organize the firm so there is plenty of room to have a broader practice and avoid focusing on a very narrow subject. That presents greater opportunities to have interesting matters and continue learning throughout your career.

Jim Carroll

Partner, Litigation

Maya Florence

Partner, Litigation (BIO)

How have you “carved your path” at Skadden?

After my second year in the New York Litigation Group, I left to clerk in federal court. Two years later, a partner convinced me to join the firm’s new health care team, and then another partner introduced me to life sciences work. I was quickly hooked. I volunteered for every opportunity and learned through doing. Everyone supported my development of a new practice focus, even though I was a fifth year. The partners had plenty of interesting and challenging assignments for me and really took the time to teach me about the field.

What do you enjoy most about working at Skadden?

My colleagues. Everyone is smart and resourceful and shares a commitment to doing the best job possible for our clients. I’m continually amazed by what we can accomplish working together. When we face a challenging question without an easy answer, we assemble a team of extraordinary attorneys from across practice areas and offices and put our heads together to figure it out. Skadden’s success truly comes from our teamwork.

I first got to know Pat when I was asked to handle a narrow task on one of his matters. Over time, that role expanded and our relationship deepened. He’s widely regarded as one of the nation’s smartest and most insightful litigators, and having his support has been an awesome and humbling experience. He continues to serve as a teacher and compass.

“It’s been hugely rewarding to play a small role in Maya’s transformation from a junior member of the team to a partner with excellent judgment informed by experience on whom I regularly relied for advice. Clients also have tremendous trust in Maya — it is always fun to vouch for an attorney and then watch as the client is thoroughly convinced when they see her in action. Maya’s development illustrates why Skadden is deeply committed to the principle that one attorney’s success contributes to everyone else’s.”
— Patrick Fitzgerald / Retired Partner

When I relocated to Boston, Jim helped integrate me into the Litigation team, and he’s remained an incredible source of support. As Skadden’s global head of litigation, he has great insight on what’s happening throughout the firm and how our team can contribute and grow.

“Skadden takes our ‘one firm’ approach very seriously — we regularly collaborate with our colleagues in various practices and offices around the world. Maya works a few doors down from me, but we’re teammates in a practice that spans the globe.”
— Jim Carroll / Partner, Litigation (Bio)

Jennifer introduced me to life sciences, then took me under her wing and taught me about the field. Now that she’s the head of our Washington, D.C. litigation practice and I’m a partner, she still remains an incredible mentor, helping me continue to grow and build my practice.

▼ A conversation with Jennifer Bragg / Partner, Litigation (Bio)

Alisha preceded me as chair of the Boston office’s Hiring Committee, and she helped revamp our approach to recruiting. She handed over a great program and has been a fantastic resource as I have navigated this critical role.

▼ A conversation with Alisha Nanda / Partner, Litigation (Bio)

See how these relationships have influenced Maya's career at Skadden

When we face a novel question, we solicit opinions from every team member. From her days as an associate, Tansy Woan has always brough fresh perspectives and creative ideas to the table, including for new business pitches — clients and prospective clients really appreciate her contributions.

Jay Kasner

Partner, Litigation

Tansy Woan

Partner, Litigation (Bio)

What has made you a better lawyer?

Opportunities and feedback. At Skadden, I have the opportunities I need to grow and take my career to the next level — to gain confidence as a senior attorney responsible for managing all aspects of a case and handling client relationships. I also have received feedback every step of the way — candid assessments of how I did. It is truly humbling how much time has been spent investing in me and my career.

Best career advice I’ve received

To be true to myself and stick up for what I believe in. Recognizing that doing so may have unforeseen consequences, I take to heart that remaining honest and being respectful tend to yield positive results. It sometimes can be difficult to speak up, especially with a judge, a client or a more senior lawyer, but this advice helps me to stand up for things that are important to me.

George has gone to great lengths to provide me with both opportunities to develop my career and advice on how to make the most of them. After every deposition, court hearing or client presentation, he always goes out of his way to give me feedback on how I did and tips for how to improve.

“Feedback plays an essential role in an associate's development, and as an attorney grows, their needs change. Now that Tansy is a partner, our talks have evolved from how to handle the tactics of a case to formulating a global strategy for a complex litigation matter, deepening her client relationships and acting as the lead lawyer for the day-to-day interactions with the client.”
– George Zimmerman / Partner, Complex Litigation and Trials (Bio)

Since I interviewed with Steve for a summer associate position, we have developed a close personal connection, and he has provided insight about what it takes to succeed as an attorney and in our profession.

“Tansy and I have had a close friendship for nearly a decade, since she first interviewed with the firm. Although we never worked on a case together, we connect and talk regularly, including at Skadden DEI events, over lunch and at dinners with her husband, and recently at her wedding, which I officiated. Despite the firm’s size, close personal connections are the norm, not the exception. They are what make Skadden and its lawyers exceptional.”
– Stephen Robinson / Retired Partner

Do is an inspiration to me, showing me that it’s possible for an Asian woman to advance in what is sometimes viewed as a white male-dominated industry. She works harder than anyone I know while maintaining a cool and calm composure, which is something I aspire to emulate.

“Our Asian affinity networks provide a forum for attorneys of Asian descent — across all offices, practice groups and levels of seniority — to connect and discuss our experiences. The people I’ve met have helped me navigate the challenges that come with working at a law firm. I'm thankful that I’ve been able to do the same for Tansy!”
– Do Kim / Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions (Bio)

You can count on Boris to come up with a solution that no one else would think of. He inspires me to work harder and think more creatively about cases.

“One of the qualities that distinguishes Skadden is our commitment to finding innovative solutions to our clients’ most daunting challenges. The creativity that Tansy brings to her work has made her an integral member of the team since her first day.”
– Boris Bershteyn / Partner, Complex Litigation and Trials; Antitrust/Competition (Bio)

See how these relationships have influenced Tansy’s career at Skadden

NO ONE DOES IT ALONE AT SKADDEN.

Ryan Dzierniejko

Who is the “Skadden attorney”?

Best career advice I’ve received

Maya Florence

How have you “carved your path” at Skadden?

What do you enjoy most about working at Skadden?

Tansy Woan

What has made you a better lawyer?

Best career advice I’ve received

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