Department profile
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense

USA Guide 2026 : New York


Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

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About

Provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

Skadden is a global leader among law firms involved in mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. The transactional experience of Skadden’s lawyers, the breadth of our practice and the geographical reach of our offices worldwide have allowed us to maintain our leadership position, representing a broad array of public and private companies, private equity firms and financial sponsors, investment banks, governmental entities, and other institutions and individuals in almost every type of M&A situation.

We recognize that every transaction, regardless of size, is important to our clients. While we advise many of the world’s largest companies, investment banks and other regular participants in the M&A market — often on their most high-profile transactions — Skadden also represents numerous smaller clients that are not regularly engaged in M&A transactions. Our lawyers strive to bring the same practical approach, creativity and commitment to excellence to each matter in which we are engaged.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense - New York

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates is a powerhouse in M&A that continues to handle an array of high-profile, high-value deals. The firm houses a deep bench of highly regarded transactional specialists. The corporate team offers strong capabilities in matters such as public and private deals, contested takeovers and joint ventures and is active across the complete range of industries, including energy, chemicals, transportation and technology. It displays strong capabilities in both domestic and international transactions.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Skadden represented Union Pacific Corporation in its $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The people are very down to earth and smart. They position me very well to think a few steps ahead.

    Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
  • Their subject matter expertise is almost unparalleled and their ability to communicate and help us work through complex issues is among the very best.

    Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
  • Skadden is at the forefront of the most cutting edge and interesting issues. I can count on them to think creatively and strategically with me.

    Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
  • Skadden is known for its dedication and timeliness.

    Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeoplePeter Allan Atkins
    Senior StatespeoplePeter Allan Atkins

    Peter Allan Atkins

    Senior statesperson Peter Allan Atkins is deeply experienced in a broad range of transactions, including M&A, joint ventures and buyouts. He has long offered leading counsel to clients in the energy, media and insurance spaces, among others.
  • Band 1Howard L Ellin
    Band 1Howard L Ellin

    Howard L Ellin

    Howard Ellin operates a respected corporate practice that sees him routinely engaged in high-stakes M&A, securities matters and private equity transactions. He possesses experience in deals in the media and entertainment and gaming sectors, among others.
    • He is a great partner to work with.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
  • Band 1Paul Schnell
    Band 1Paul Schnell

    Paul Schnell

    Paul Schnell is a significant presence in the New York corporate market, and maintains an exemplary reputation thanks to his track record acting on transformative deals.
    • He is the best in the M&A space.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • Paul Schnell is an undisputed leader in global legal practice and is renowned for his mastery in executing complex transactions.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
  • Band 2Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman
    Band 2Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman

    Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman

    Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman represents corporate clients in defense of activist campaigns as they occur across a spectrum of industries.

  • Band 2Stephen F Arcano
    Band 2Stephen F Arcano

    Stephen F Arcano

    Stephen Arcano is a talented corporate attorney, whose acclaimed practice is strong across a range of transactions.

    • His responsiveness is great.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • Stephen is an exceptional lawyer. He is very intelligent and does a great job at managing client relations.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • Stephen has a big presence in a boardroom.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • He is an extremely smart lawyer and is hugely talented.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
  • Band 4Ann Beth Stebbins
    Band 4Ann Beth Stebbins

    Ann Beth Stebbins

    Ann Beth Stebbins is experienced in high-end M&A and corporate governance matters across a range of industries.
    • She is responsive and a strategic thinker.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • Ann Beth Stubbins is fantastic. Her judgment is well-respected by the board.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
  • Band 4Brandon Van Dyke
    Band 4Brandon Van Dyke

    Brandon Van Dyke

    Brandon Van Dyke demonstrates excellent capabilities in a broad array of transactions, including M&A and buyouts. He advises on deals spanning a number of industries, including media, chemicals and healthcare.
    • Brandon is unflappable. He is excellent at finding the right strategic approach when there are multiple paths that can be taken.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • He is a master of his craft.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
  • Band 6Kenneth M Wolff
    Band 6Kenneth M Wolff

    Kenneth M Wolff

    Kenneth Wolff advises a number of well-known public and private companies and private equity firms on their domestic and cross-border M&A.
    • He is a great lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • There is no one else I would want on a big deal.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • Ken is an excellent strategic, thoughtful and practical adviser. He is able to synthesize issues for business with impact.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
  • Up and ComingDohyun Kim
    Up and ComingDohyun Kim

    Dohyun Kim

    Dohyun Kim is a talented up-and-comer whose practice exhibits strength in M&A, corporate governance and securities matters.

    • Do is a master at M&A deals. She masters all details of the deal and no details escape her.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • She is very good and very thorough.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • She is an extremely dedicated and smart lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • She is responsive and has good commercial acumen in addition to legal skills.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA
    • Do is wonderful. She is so responsive, fights for her clients and is incredibly sharp.

      Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates (9)

New York

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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates has rankings in the following guides

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