Skadden Name Partner Joe Flom, R.I.P.

Earlier this month, the son of Joseph Flom — name partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, and a legendary figure of the M&A bar — wrote a moving tribute to his father. He explained that the 87-year-old Flom was gravely ill and not far from death.

This morning, Skadden confirmed the sad news of Joe Flom’s passing….

Here is an excerpt from the firm-wide Skadden memorandum that went out at around 7:30 AM, by executive partner Eric Freedman:

Joe led a truly remarkable and inspiring life. He combined a brilliant intellect, impeccable judgment and relentless dedication, which he applied to everything he touched with true humility. He was, in every sense, a great man.

In a soaring legal career spanning more than six decades, Joe devised innovative solutions for clients with his brilliant, tenacious and plain-spoken legal advice. He was a giant of the modern bar, revolutionizing the practice of corporate law and rewriting – more than once – the winning playbook for corporate mergers and acquisitions. It was his vision, determination and collaboration that helped build Skadden into what it is today – the preeminent global law firm of the 21st century.

Of course, Joe’s richness of life was not limited to Skadden. He was a beloved family man and long-time benefactor to a wide array of charitable and other causes, including the program that continually sets Skadden far apart from our peers – the Skadden Fellowship Foundation. More recently, he led the Firm’s development of the Skadden Honors Program in Legal Studies at City College of New York, an initiative designed to increase diversity in the legal profession.

We’ve reprinted the full memo at the end of this post. You can also read more about Joe Flom via the links collected below.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Skadden Fellowship Foundation.

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We express our deepest condolences to Joe Flom’s family, friends, and colleagues. He was, by all accounts, an extraordinary lawyer and human being.

P.S. Please comment respectfully. As always, we may remove inappropriate comments and/or ban IP addresses that are responsible for improper commenting. If you are in doubt about the appropriateness of your comment, don’t make it (or take it elsewhere). Thanks.

Joseph H. Flom, M&A Pioneer and Philanthropist, Dies at 87 [Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom]
Skadden mourns death of name partner and M&A pioneer Joe Flom [Legal Week]
Skadden’s Joe Flom Dies at 87 [WSJ Law Blog]
Skadden Name Partner Joseph Flom Dies at 87 [ABA Journal]

Earlier: Amazing Tribute From Son to Joseph Flom

SKADDEN ARPS SLATE MEAGHER & FLOM — MEMORANDUM

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February 23, 2011

TO:

All Personnel (All Offices)
Retired Partners

FROM:

Eric J. Friedman

Dear Colleagues,

It is with profound sadness that I inform you of Joe Flom’s death. Joe passed away this morning. He was 87 years old.

Joe led a truly remarkable and inspiring life. He combined a brilliant intellect, impeccable judgment and relentless dedication, which he applied to everything he touched with true humility. He was, in every sense, a great man.

In a soaring legal career spanning more than six decades, Joe devised innovative solutions for clients with his brilliant, tenacious and plain-spoken legal advice. He was a giant of the modern bar, revolutionizing the practice of corporate law and rewriting – more than once – the winning playbook for corporate mergers and acquisitions. It was his vision, determination and collaboration that helped build Skadden into what it is today – the preeminent global law firm of the 21st century.

Of course, Joe’s richness of life was not limited to Skadden. He was a beloved family man and long-time benefactor to a wide array of charitable and other causes, including the program that continually sets Skadden far apart from our peers – the Skadden Fellowship Foundation. More recently, he led the Firm’s development of the Skadden Honors Program in Legal Studies at City College of New York, an initiative designed to increase diversity in the legal profession.

Joe represented the very essence of Skadden – a dedicated team of professionals who share hard-driving smarts, mutual respect and a devotion to the most ethical delivery of the best legal services possible. The story of Joe and Skadden is so compelling that Malcolm Gladwell dedicated a chapter to it in his recent book, “Outliers – The Story of Success.”

Gladwell observed of Joe: “For twenty years, he perfected his craft at Skadden, Arps. Then the world changed and he was ready. He didn’t triumph over adversity. Instead, what started out as adversity ended up being an opportunity.” Joe was our very own outlier and, as such, has positioned the Firm for many years of success ahead.

Personally speaking, Joe was a great mentor to me, yet I was only one of many who benefited from his vision and leadership. Since 1948, Joe shaped our culture, while transforming the practice of law. With this legacy, we will continue to reap what he has sown for many years to come.

Joe is survived by his wife Judi, sons Jason and Peter and daughter Nancy Laing, as well as six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Please join me in extending condolences to Joe’s family.

The family is holding a private service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Skadden Fellowship Foundation for the support of new projects undertaken by former Skadden Fellows. The address is: Skadden Fellowship Foundation, Four Times Square, Room 29/218, New York, N.Y., 10036.

Sincerely,
Eric