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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

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published October 20, 2010

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

Skadden's world headquarters are in the Condé Nast Building, Times Square, New York

Skadden is among the largest law firms in the U.S. in terms of revenue. In 1999, the firm became the first to exceed $1 billion in annual revenue.

Despite its size, Skadden is known for its refusal to expand by mergers with other law firms or large acquisitions of practice groups. The firm has never acquired a practice group larger than six attorneys, in sharp contrast with rivals such as Baker & McKenzie, which has repeatedly absorbed local practices, and DLA Piper and Clifford Chance, which are the products of large mergers.

In addition to its headquarters in New York, which is the largest single law office in the U.S., Skadden's domestic practice is well known in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Wilmington and Washington, D.C., offices. The firm also has high profile practices in London, Frankfurt, Munich, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

The firm's most well known alumni include former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, Chelsea Football Club's Chairman Bruce Buck, and the late comedian Greg Giraldo.

Often considered the most recognizable law firm outside the legal industry, the firm is considered one of the most prestigious in the world, consistently ranking in the top five of Vault's annual list of the top law firms in the U.S. and boasting highly competitive foreign practices.

Among Skadden's main practice areas are mergers and acquisitions (M&A), litigation, securities law, taxation, and bankruptcy representation. Many Fortune 500 top 50 companies are, or have been, clients of Skadden.

Famed for pioneering mergers and acquisitions and hostile takeovers in the American corporate environment, Skadden has played a significant role in U.S. and international business.

The firm has participated in many notable deals and cases, including the RJR Nabisco buyout, orchestrated by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. It is the largest such deal in history, adjusted for inflation. Partner Peter Atkins led the Skadden team, which advised the RJR board of directors as to the financial soundness of the respective bids. Skadden's fee at the time was reported to be $25 million.

The firm represented HealthSouth Corporation, based in Birmingham, Alabama, after the Securities and Exchange Commission charged former management of committing fraud. Scott Simpson leads the European M&A division from London and has represented Gucci Group and Arcelor during their attempts to repel high-profile hostile takeovers. Gregory Miao and Jon Christianson of the Hong Kong office led the IPO of the China Construction Bank, the largest of 2005. The firm currently represents XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc., in its approximately $13 billion tax-free merger-of-equals with Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. The firm represented Yahoo! in its proposed takeover by Microsoft.
United States

Unlike some firms which have introduced two-tier partnerships with equity and non-equity partners, Skadden maintains a one-tier partnership, in which all partners are equity partners and share ownership of the firm.

Joseph H. Flom became the firm's first associate in 1948. Of the firm's five ''name'' partners, Flom is the only one still living. He is recognized as a pioneer in the field of mergers and acquisitions.

Skadden has been the recipient of innumerable awards and honors. These include Chambers and Partners selecting Skadden as the Global Corporate law Firm of the Year for 2006. In 2006, Corporate Board Member Magazine named Skadden the top corporate law firm in America, as selected by 1,390 directors of publicly traded companies.

Vault, Inc. ranked Skadden fourth on its ''Top 100 Most Prestigious Firms - 2008'', a survey which asked law firm associates to rank the prestige of various firms.

In 2007, Skadden was ranked #9 on the Avery Index list of the Best Prestigious Law Firms to Work For. Skadden ranked first by volume and deal count in representing issuers of U.S. High Yield Offerings, with 10 deals worth US$5 billion, according to Bloomberg's Q3 2006 Legal Adviser League Tables published in October 2006.

A commitment to public service has always been deeply ingrained in the firm's culture. In the mid-'80s, Skadden was one of the first firms to have a senior lawyer devote a substantial portion of his time to coordinating the firm's pro bono efforts. The firm has always been a staunch supporter of The Legal Aid Society in New York and similar organizations in other cities, providing both legal services and financial support. The firm's New York and Washington, D.C. offices ''lend'' attorneys on a rotating basis to work full time for groups providing free legal services to individuals of limited means and small non-profits. In addition, Skadden lawyers have been instrumental in the start-up of organizations created to provide legal services to those in need.

In addition to actual pro bono legal work, the firm's lawyers have been active in a wide variety of charitable endeavors, working with, sitting on boards of, and even running, many types of civic, community, cultural, governmental, educational and medical organizations, a number of which seek to improve the lives of the less fortunate.

The Skadden Fellowship Foundation was established in 1988, the same time as the firm's 40th anniversary. The Foundation demonstrates the firm's commitment to public interest work, which annually provides two-year fellowships to at least 25 very talented young lawyers so that they may pursue the practice of public interest law on a full-time basis. The fellowship is considered the most prestigious public-interest grant in the U.S. and is highly sought after by graduates of top law schools. As of 2006, the firm had awarded 473 fellowships.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
Gain an advantage in your legal job search. LawCrossing uncovers hidden positions that firms post on their own websites and industry-specific job boards—jobs that never appear on Indeed or LinkedIn. Don't miss out. Sign up now!

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