Skadden tries to improve the acceptance percentage by holding dinners and other functions, and having lawyers call candidates to answer their questions. It s very political here, says one former associate. There s backstabbing and blaming fuck-ups on other people, just like in law school. In a place like Skadden, adds one associate, which has 600 attorneys in New York, you re going to find a competitive atmosphere. There is an acceptance of rude behavior.
Some associates yell at support staff, and some partners yell at associates.
Not everyone does it, of course, but it s acceptable to call someone a moron, or cut someone off and start yelling at them. Insiders also say that Skadden is a very cliquey environment. You eat lunch with your friends, or you go to their offices and visit them. Other associates shrug that Skadden is a very open firm, and there are some people who yell. But in general it s laid-back.