Other law firms will just take two valedictorians. Of course, a firm as large as Skadden can hardly afford to hire only a handful of people. We are so big, says another insider, that by necessity we are very diverse. We have a wide variety of people and kinds of practice. Every ethnic minority is well represented here, says one contact, and women regularly constitute half of entering classes of associates.
Firm insiders give the standard snow job about personality counting in hiring decisions.
It remains true that attitude, enthusiasm, and related experience, especially in investment banking or finance, can make up, to some extent, for lack of journal experience or grades that are merely very good instead of great. Typically, the firm likes to send alums from targeted schools to conduct the first round of screening interviews at those institutions. Those invited back will interview at the branch where they wish to work. While scheduling the second round, candidates are asked which department they are interested in. During callbacks, at least half of their interviewers will be members of their preferred department or related departments.