Robert C. Sheehan, who oversees the firm’s pro bono program, was Executive Partner of Skadden, Arps from April 1994 to April 2009. Mr. Sheehan began his career with Skadden in 1969, became a partner in 1978 and of counsel in 2010.
Prior to his tenure as Executive Partner, Mr. Sheehan headed the Financial Institutions Merger & Acquisition Group, which he had founded. Mr. Sheehan, who has been cited by publications as one of the world’s leading banking lawyers, has represented numerous bank and thrift holding companies, both as acquirers and as targets, in negotiated and unsolicited acquisition transactions. Mr. Sheehan also has served as counsel for financial institutions in connection with their relations with various state and federal banking regulatory authorities.
In 2012, Mr. Sheehan received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Law Firm Leadership from The American Lawyer magazine. He was named as the recipient of the Judge Learned Hand Award by the American Jewish Committee in 2010. Mr. Sheehan also was honored with the 2009 Laurie D. Zelon Award by the Pro Bono Institute (presented to him by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg) in recognition of his pro bono service. In 2008, he was the recipient of the St. Thomas More Award by the Lawyers Committee of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund for his leadership and service to the legal profession. In addition, Mr. Sheehan received the Legal Aid Society’s 2005 Servant of Justice Award for his contributions to pro bonocauses.