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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP - Frequently Asked Questions

All your questions about Skadden, answered! 

Who is eligible to apply a vacation scheme and a training contract?

We welcome applicants from all universities and degree disciplines. Undergraduate candidates need to have at least reached the penultimate year of their law degree or the final year of a non-law degree in order to apply.

How important are the vacation schemes?

Skadden’s training contracts are exclusively offered to students who participate in our vacations schemes so this is a critical part of our process. 

Our vacation scheme is designed to give you the opportunity to network with our people, gain a better insight into the Firm and what it would be like to train here. You will have the opportunity to sit in two departments during the scheme. 

We remunerate vacation scheme students £500 per week to assist with expenses.

Does Skadden have a direct training contract route?

We do not have a direct training contract route. All training contract positions are filled via vacation schemes.

What are your academic criteria?

We look for a consistent record of outstanding academic achievements, including a minimum of a 2:1 (or equivalent) at degree level.

When do applications open?

Our application window runs yearly from 1 September to 1 December.

Do you run open days?

We run both in-person and virtual open days every Autumn. Please contact graduate.recruitment.uk@skadden.com for more information.

Do you review applications on a rolling basis?

We do not review applications on a rolling basis. All applications are reviewed after the deadline, however we do advise submitting your application sooner rather than later to ensure that you do not miss the deadline.

Do you take into consideration mitigating circumstances?

We take into consideration genuine mitigating circumstances. There is a section on the application form where those can be included.

Do you use a contextual recruitment tool when reviewing applications?

We do use a contextual recruitment tool when reviewing applications in order to help us better understand candidates’ grades on a holistic level. It also aligns with our commitment to providing an inclusive recruitment process.

What adjustments can be made to the recruitment process if I have a disability or long term health condition?

Should you require adjustments with regard to any part of our application process, please contact Mathieu Pinto Cardoso, Senior Manager - Graduate Recruitment & Trainee Solicitor Development, via email: mathieu.pintocardoso@skadden.com. 

When will I hear back if my application has been successful?

We aim to get back to all candidates, regardless of the outcome, by January. 

When will the vacation schemes take place?

Our vacation schemes will take place during the following weeks: 

24 March – 4 April 2025

7 April – 17 April 2025 

9 June – 20 June 2025

23 June – 4 July 2025

Do you have any opportunities for first year students?

We run an open day for first year student in Spring. Please contact graduate.recruitment.uk@skadden.com for more information.

How many trainees are in each intake and when do they start?

We onboard roughly 20 trainees and they start in September of each year.

Do you offer financial support for your future trainees for the PGDL and the SQE?

We offer sponsorship for the PGDL and the SQE which covers course and exam fees in full. We also offer a £20,000 maintenance grant for each course.

What is the remuneration and benefits package?

First year trainees receives a yearly salary of £58,000. Second year trainees receives a yearly salary of £63,000. Newly qualified associates currently receive a salary of £173,000, plus discretionary year-end bonus.

Skadden also provides its trainee solicitors with a competitive benefits package, including:

What seats can I experience during the training contract?

Our training contract is divided into four seats, six months each. Trainees can sit in the following practice areas: Antitrust, Banking, Capital Market, Employment, Financial Institutions Group, Financial Regulations, Incentives, International Litigation and Arbitration, Investment Management Group, IT, IP, Tech and Cybersecurity, M&A, Private Equity, Restructuring and Tax.

Are there any compulsory seats?

In the first year of the training contract, we aim for each trainee to complete at least one seat in the Corporate group (Capital Markets, Financial Institutions Group, M&A, Private Equity). 

Are there international secondment opportunities?

Trainees can apply for a secondment in our New York, Brussels or Hong Kong offices. International secondments take place in the second year of the training contract.

Can I get involved in pro bono work?

Skadden’s commitment to pro bono service runs deep and we encourage trainees and attorneys of all levels to get involved with pro bono work. The London office has a rich tradition of pro bono work across a broad spectrum of issues and practice areas, including but not limited to housing, domestic violence, family law, immigration, welfare benefits and public international law. 

I am a foreign qualified lawyer, should I apply for a vacation scheme and training contract?

We encourage foreign qualified lawyer to apply through our experienced hire portal: https://skadden.allhires.com/ 

Apply now!

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