Skadden

Find a Mentor: 

Skadden Mentors

• “The summer associate program did an incredible job allowing me to both get some hands-on work experience of what a junior associate does, while also allowing me the flexibility to socialize with colleagues and participate in all the summer program events.”
• “They made a big effort to give us a mix of substantive work, pro bono, and work that would be typical for a first-year associate.”
• “Right off the bat, I was provided with substantive assignments and received helpful and specific feedback. This armed me with valuable knowledge and insight into not only the type of work I would be doing but, more importantly, the firm's expectations of quality work product.”
• “I was encouraged to take assignments in a variety of practice areas, and the firm assigned all summers with a coordinator to ensure they were getting enough work and in their areas of interest. They also emphasized that the summer was a learning opportunity and was not meant to be a stressful time in any way!”

• “The social aspects of the summer program cannot be beaten. There is something for everyone already built in. There are mentors galore, events of all varieties, and, refreshingly, there is a lot of choice. Like something? Do more of it. Don't like something else? Do less.”
• “The social aspect is very fun and diverse. There are a lot of opportunities for summers and attorneys to get to know each other either at a group level or on a more individual level. The events really make the summer memorable as it serves as a base for establishing relationships.”
• “The social events are second to none. They provide real opportunities to get to know your fellow summer associates as well as interact with all levels of associates outside of the office in a setting that provides for candor and an emphasis on lifestyle and work-life balance.
• “The summer associate class is very large, but the events are frequent enough and diverse enough to allow everyone to find their niche and not get lost in the shuffle.”

• “As a summer, I was very worried I would not be able to keep up with the work or know what to do as an associate. People cautioned me that the work is very intense. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well my transition went (from student to full-time attorney). The work is very intense, but it's certainly manageable. I was also happy that the promise about camaraderie and a tight-knit, fraternal community at Skadden has, in my experience, proven true.”
• “I think the competitive nature of getting into certain groups was different than expected.”
• “The time commitment required of associates is dramatically more than that of summer associates. Over the summer, I rarely worked after 7 p.m. or on the weekend. The nature of the work and the work environment is consistent with my experience as a summer associate, though.”
• “I have been pleasantly surprised at the extent to which the work I have received as a law clerk/first year has been substantive. In just the first few months, I have taken first drafts of deposition outlines [and briefs] and second chaired a deposition. I was even asked to defend a deposition as a first chair and only couldn't do it because I was not yet admitted. No matter how junior you are, you will be trusted with work commensurate with your demonstrated competence and ability.”

• “Opening dinner—I felt like I was entering a family.”
• “Our summer gala at [Rockefeller Center] was the best.”
• “A favorite event was where partners and associates in the firm signed up to teach a "class" about their hobbies outside of the law. It was very encouraging to see these more senior attorneys committed to activities outside of the law.”

Our summer associate program drives our hiring efforts. Full programs are offered in Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington, and Wilmington. We typically accommodate requests for splitting between Skadden offices. Our flexible program provides opportunities to learn firsthand about our extensive range of practices. Summer associates gain experience comparable to that of junior associates, including attending client meetings, traveling to client locations, and assisting senior attorneys in addressing client needs. Summer associates working on corporate projects receive exposure to drafting and negotiation sessions, while those in litigation gain familiarity with depositions and court proceedings. Participants receive formal reviews, and our attorneys provide informal feedback on projects. Additionally, the majority of our summer associates work on pro bono matters. Of course, we hold numerous social events outside the office to help our summer associates to become acquainted with colleagues throughout the office.