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.

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.

In addition to being a first-class litigator, Scott is a true firm citizen who models for me how rewarding the job is by being much more than just an excellent lawyer.

▼ A conversation with Scott Musoff / Partner, Securities Litigation; Complex Litigation and Trials (Bio)

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

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

One of our firm’s strengths is our commitment to come together to solve our clients’ most important challenges. Nesa Amamoo is a leader who brings a team together and inspires everyone. She has amazing judgment, mentors junior lawyers, and is the person that I (and our clients!) turn to again and again.

Audrey Sokoloff

Partner, Real Estate

Nesa Amamoo

Partner, Real Estate (Bio)

What do you enjoy most about working at Skadden?

The people. Our Real Estate Group’s focus goes beyond what most people would expect. We work with attorneys across the firm’s 50-plus practices, advising clients on all types of matters involving real estate in any way. It’s amazing; I have the benefit of both a tight-knit department of colleagues whom I consider friends and the backing and breadth of the global Skadden family, with access to some of the greatest legal minds out there.

Best career advice I’ve received

Pursue my dream and don’t give up. A career in law can be very rewarding: On great days, I’m closing deals that appear on the front page of The Wall Street Journal and thinking, “I made it!” But this profession is demanding, and sticking to it is essential. The best advice I’ve received is to stay centered and focus on my goals — the biggest rewards usually require overcoming tough challenges.

Audrey whips up solutions to the most difficult legal issues, which I admire. She is a leader at the firm, dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. She has boundless energy.

▼ A conversation with Audrey Sokoloff / Partner, Real Estate (Bio)

Troy is a superstar — a lateral addition who quickly became integral to our group's culture. She is equally dedicated to providing top-level client service and to making time to attend department events and build a cohesive and collegial team. I always look forward to working with her.

“One of the qualities that distinguishes Skadden is our commitment to teamwork. Nesa has valued my contributions and made me feel like an essential member of the team from my very first day with the firm.”
– Troy McNamara / Counsel, Real Estate (Bio)

Neil put his faith in me before I had it in myself and my abilities as a lawyer and a leader. He has a strength and confidence that inspire the trust of clients and team members — qualities I’d love to replicate.

READ NESA & NEIL'S Q&A ABOUT THEIR PRACTICE, INCLUSIVITY AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT

“Becoming a great attorney is a marathon, not a sprint, and mentors can provide invaluable guidance. It’s been my privilege to mentor Nesa throughout her career, both formally, in my role as the head of the Real Estate Group and through our Career Sponsorship Program, and informally, through everyday conversations.”
– Neil Rock / Partner, Real Estate (Bio)

Heather has encouraged me to pursue my interests since I was a summer associate. She makes herself available to me for questions — big and small. I try to duplicate her attitude and availability with the associates I now mentor.

▼ A chat with Heather Cruz / Partner, Investment Management (Bio)

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

It was clear from the start that others looked at Abby Davis as a leader. She always wants to be where the action is, and as a result, she’s worked on many of our most complex cases, which has accelerated her development. She has an impressive ability to analyze difficult challenges and come up with inventive solutions.

Julie Cohen

Partner, Litigation

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

SEE HOW THESE RELATIONSHIPS HAVE INFLUENCED ABBY'S CAREER AT SKADDEN

NO ONE DOES IT ALONE AT SKADDEN.

Tansy Woan

What has made you a better lawyer?

Best career advice I’ve received

Nesa Amamoo

What do you enjoy most about working at Skadden?

Best career advice I’ve received

Abby Davis

How has Skadden helped build your career as an attorney?

What do you enjoy most about working at Skadden?

{{letter}}