Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom decreased by nearly 100 lawyers during 2012. The 5.3 percent decline, small compared with many other firms, nevertheless marked the firm’s fourth year of decreases.

The 97-lawyer drop came mostly from the associate ranks, which fell by 78 to 1,280, or by 5.7 percent. The firm also shrank by nine partners and 10 "other" attorneys, a category that includes staff and counsel positions.