Innovation & Emerging Technology Lawyer

We invite you to review our current professional staff openings to learn about the opportunities available across the firm.

About Us

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (Skadden) has forged a reputation as one of the most prestigious law firms in the world. By relying on innovation, intellect, teamwork and tenacity, our lawyers deliver the highest quality advice and novel solutions to our clients' legal issues. We are recognized as a global powerhouse for complex transactions, litigation/controversy issues, and regulatory matters, as well as for the open, collaborative relationships we build with clients. Our attorneys, who reflect diverse backgrounds and perspectives, collaborate seamlessly across 50-plus practices and 21 offices in the world's major financial centers.

The Opportunity

At Skadden, we are committed to leading the legal industry through innovation and excellence. We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of legal technology and practice management, leveraging cutting-edge solutions to enhance our services and deliver superior results for our clients. We are seeking an inventive and creative Innovation Lawyer to join our team and drive technological advancements within specific practice areas.

The Innovation Lawyer will play a pivotal role in transforming the attorney practice experience by identifying and implementing emerging technologies tailored to specific practice area needs. This role is focused on identifying, developing, evaluating, and integrating technologies to address granular pain points, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our attorneys through technology, including generative AI. Unlike traditional knowledge management roles, this position emphasizes practical, technology-driven solutions and requires a deep understanding of the current practice challenges of attorneys at all levels, particularly junior and midlevel associates, as well as strong technology fluency and an inventive and entrepreneurial mindset.

This role is uniquely positioned to leverage your recent legal practice experience to drive meaningful technological advancements within the firm, ensuring that the solutions implemented are both practical and impactful for our attorneys, our practices, our clients, and our firm.

• Technology Assessment and Integration: Identify, evaluate, develop, and leverage existing and emerging technologies to address specific pain points of attorneys within practice areas. Collaborate with attorneys to assess and integrate these technologies effectively into their workflows. Your recent practice experience will ensure you have the empathy, vocabulary, and credibility needed to effectively serve our attorneys and practices.
• Problem Solving: Engage with associates, counsel, partners, and other stakeholders to understand their practice-specific challenges and develop innovative solutions to address these issues. Your firsthand experience as a recently practicing lawyer will provide intuition and a deep understanding of the practical issues faced by our lawyers.
• Innovation Strategy: Develop and implement strategies to incorporate technology solutions that streamline legal processes, enhance productivity, and improve client service within the designated practice areas. Your unique perspective as a recently practicing lawyer will be invaluable in crafting strategies that resonate with our attorneys and clients, and gaining the buy in to adopt them.
• Collaboration and Training: Work closely with attorneys and other firm groups, including Knowledge Management, Legal Technology, Business Systems, Technology, Learning, and Development, Operations, Research & Knowledge Services, Knowledge Systems, and IT to pilot new technologies, gather feedback, and refine implementations. Strategically encourage adoption and utilization of technological solutions. Your ability to communicate effectively with fellow attorneys will facilitate smoother collaboration and onboarding processes and help develop attorney champions.
• Market Research: Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices. Evaluate the potential impact of these innovations on the practice area and recommend relevant solutions. Exercise judgment in triaging early-stage companies and recommending those worth reviewing. Your recent practice experience will help you discern which innovations are most likely to benefit our lawyers and our practices.
• Vendor Management: Identify and liaise with technology vendors, negotiate contracts, and manage relationships to ensure the firm acquires the best tools and solutions for its needs. Your understanding of the practical needs of attorneys will guide your interactions with vendors to secure the most relevant and effective technologies.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to think outside the box and develop creative solutions to complex problems. An entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive approach to identifying and leveraging technological advancements.
• Excellent and energetic interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with attorneys, stakeholders, and technology vendors.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and drive initiatives with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates close attention to detail.
• Ability to work well in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and shifting priorities.
• Handle sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality.
• Flexibility to adjust hours and work the hours necessary to meet operating and business needs.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of recent legal practice experience with a strong and recent understanding of the day-to-day challenges faced by attorneys in the specified practice area.
• Demonstrated interest in and facility with technology and innovation.
• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal qualification.

Culture & Life at Skadden
What makes Skadden special is our people and the culture, community and spirit of collaboration we have created. We believe in teamwork and inspiring each other to be our best in an atmosphere that promotes professionalism and excellence in all that we do. We know that inclusion and drawing on the strength of a wide spectrum of talent only make us better and is vital to the firm's success. Our goal is for everyone at the firm to enjoy a challenging career with opportunities for development and growth and to support the well-being of our attorneys and business services professionals.

Benefits

The overall well-being of our team is important to us. We offer generous benefits to help you achieve wellness in all areas of your life.

• Competitive salaries and year-end discretionary bonuses.
• Comprehensive health care (medical, dental, vision), savings plan/401(k) and voluntary benefits.
• Generous paid time off.
• Paid leave options, including parental.
• In-classroom, remote, and on-demand learning and professional development opportunities.
• Robust well-being classes and programs.
• Opportunities to give back and make an impact in local communities.

For further details, please visit: https://www.skadden.com/careers/staff/employee-benefits

The starting base salary for this position is expected to be within the range listed under Salary Details. Actual salary will be determined based on skills, experience (to the extent relevant) and other-job related factors, consistent with applicable law.

Salary Details

EEO Statement

Skadden is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It adheres to an equal employment opportunity policy that prohibits discriminatory practices or harassment against applicants or employees based on any legally impermissible factor including, but not necessarily limited to, race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, alienage or citizenship status, marital or familial status, domestic partnership status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, change of sex or transgender status, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual and reproductive health decisions, disability, any protected military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault or offense, or stalking.

Applicants who require an accommodation during the application process should contact Winnie Feng at (212) 735-3037.

Skadden EEO and Affirmative Action Policy

Skadden EEO and Affirmative Action Policy

Applicants Have Rights Under Federal Employment Law

Applicants Have Rights Under Federal Employment Law

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