In a Q&A with Westlaw Today, Susan Plum, interim executive director of the Skadden Fellowship Foundation, reflected on the program’s evolution since its launch. Established in 1988 to commemorate Skadden’s 40th anniversary, the Foundation has now funded more than 1,000 two-year fellowships for recent law graduates and judicial clerks, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s commitment to pro bono legal services.

In discussing this milestone, Ms. Plum shared, “It demonstrates Skadden's enduring investment in the Foundation, which has enabled thousands of individuals living in poverty to receive the legal support they need to address their most important issues. The fellowship has also helped support the success of so many public interest careers, as well as its broader commitment to fostering positive change in the legal profession and the communities it serves.”

The program empowers passionate new lawyers to design and lead public interest projects addressing critical civil legal needs — from disability rights and housing to veterans’ rights and domestic violence issues. Fellows collaborate with established nonprofit organizations nationwide, and the Foundation provides comprehensive support, including full salary funding, professional development and resources for bar exam costs and loan repayment.

Notably, 90% of Skadden Fellows continue focusing on public interest law after their fellowships, and alumni have gone on to lead major legal aid organizations, as well as serve in government leadership roles. The Foundation’s ongoing initiatives — such as the Fellows to Fellows Program, which provides training to current and recent Fellows — continue to foster innovation and community among current and former Fellows.

“As the needs of our clients, Fellows and host organizations evolve, we continuously seek ways to provide support that aligns with those shifting needs,” said Ms. Plum. “This has led to the launch of many new programs over the years.”

Read the Q&A: "Skadden fellowship program helps fund legal services for impoverished Americans," July 25, 2025.