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.
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.
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.
Global Insights
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)
Mentoring at Every Stage
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)
A True Partner
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)
Shared Success
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
Abby Davis
Partner, Litigation
(BIO)
How has Skadden helped build your career as an attorney?
From the beginning, I’ve worked alongside some of the world’s most brilliant attorneys, especially the many mentors I’ve had in our Litigation Group. Being in the conference room as these top legal minds brainstormed solutions to extraordinarily challenging issues played a huge role in my development. No matter how fast-paced the work became, partners and other senior attorneys in the group always took the time to explain the nuances of our work. They mentored me and gave me room to take on new assignments and broaden my practice. Now that I’m a partner, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to pay it forward.
What do you enjoy most about working at Skadden?
The work. At Skadden, we represent clients in a steady stream of interesting, high-profile, first-of-their-kind cases. I love the process of collaborating with my colleagues and diving into the issues. In my time here, I’ve learned that you win an argument weeks or even months before you step into the courtroom — I know that I’m ready when I feel like I understand the plaintiff’s arguments better than they do. I love being a litigator, and there’s nowhere better to do it.
Mentor and Advocate
I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my career to have wonderful mentors both inside and outside of the New York Litigation Group. Larry was first a mentor and then, particularly as I was looking toward promotion, a champion of mine. When he had a client with a civil litigation issue, he would call me and let me run with it. I served as point person and argued in court, even as an associate. We worked together closely — I learned by watching him, and he gained trust by watching me. I particularly loved seeing him negotiate with other counsel. It was fascinating and a great learning experience.
“The complex, multi-faceted matters Skadden handles often require a large team of attorneys, and everyone plays a critical role. We expect associates to handle the types of assignments that might be reserved for counsel or partners at other firms. Having that confidence in a junior colleague is easy when you have attorneys as talented as Abby.”— Lawrence Spiegel / Partner and General Counsel, White Collar Defense and Investigations (Bio)
Cross-Practice Collaboration
One of Skadden’s strengths is our ability and commitment to teaming up across practices, as exemplified by my work with Paul. He has frequently called on me to help advise his corporate restructuring clients on litigation-related issues. As a result, I have had the opportunity to grow my skill set and develop client relationships. Paul has integrated me into various matters with the restructuring team, helping me expand my practice and get to work collaboratively with colleagues outside of my practice group.
“Skadden’s ‘one firm’ approach centers on working across practices and offices to provide clients with the best service possible. Just as Abby appreciates the opportunity to work on restructuring matters, I’m grateful — as are our clients! — that I can call on a top litigator for insight and support.” — Paul Leake / Partner, Corporate Restructuring (Bio)
A True Champion
I’ve known Julie since literally my first day at the firm. She was my officemate when I was a summer associate and then my associate mentor, and we worked together almost immediately. As Julie progressed to counsel and then partner, I saw a path to follow. Julie took me under her wing and showed me the ropes (literally — in addition to being a hard-hitting litigator, she’s a Muay Thai champion).
▼ A conversation with Julie Cohen / Partner, Litigation (Bio)
▼ A conversation with Julie Cohen / Partner, Litigation (Bio)
Colleagues and Friends
Mike and I started together in the New York Litigation Group more than 10 years ago and have been close friends ever since. When I’ve had a challenging matter or a hard day, Mike has always been there for me — I hope he says the same about me! At Skadden, my teammates have always provided support, not competition, and my friendship with Mike has been one of the most important connections I’ve had at Skadden.
▼ A conversation with Michael Restey / Counsel, Litigation (Bio)
▼ A conversation with Michael Restey / Counsel, Litigation (Bio)
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.
Trusted Adviser
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)
Creative Inspiration
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)
Lifelong Friendship
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
The Epitome of a Role Model
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)