Eric Friedman has served as Skadden’s Executive Partner since 2009, furthering the firm’s mission to provide the highest quality legal service to clients, attract and develop top legal talent, and maintain our deeply rooted commitments to pro bono and diversity and inclusion.
Under Mr. Friedman’s leadership, Skadden has had more matters recognized in the Financial Times’ U.S./North America “Innovative Lawyers” report than any other law firm. The firm also has been recognized for innovation by the Financial Times for our work in Europe and Asia.
Eric also has built upon the firm’s longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. In 2011, the firm received the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s first-ever Law Firm of the Year Award, for our commitment to public service and diversity; and in 2012, Eric received a “Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award” from the New York City Bar Association in recognition of his commitment to diversity at Skadden.
Eric is a dedicated board member of a number of organizations, including Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. He also chairs the board of trustees of the Skadden Fellowship Foundation.
In addition to supporting the firm’s extensive pro bono efforts, Eric is one of three law firm leaders serving on the executive committee for the Court Square Law Project, a unique partnership with law firms, the New York City Bar Association and the City University of New York Law School to deliver legal services to people of moderate means who do not qualify for pro bonorepresentation.
Prior to becoming Executive Partner, he was involved in a number of significant M&A and corporate transactions, advising clients such as Citigroup Inc., Nasdaq, Inc., Deutsche Bank AG and Mars, Incorporated, among others. Eric has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and the NACD Directorship 100.
In 2016, Eric received the AJC’s Learned Hand Award, which celebrates highly distinguished attorneys whose work reflects the integrity and humanitarian ideals exemplified by Judge Hand.
Education:
- J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1989
- B.B.A., University of Michigan, 1986 (High Distinction)
Admissions : New York
Associations :
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Member, American Law Institute
Cost
Rate : $$$
