Overview
Introduction
The go-to firm for startups and early-stage companies, Cooley is ideal for attorneys seeking cutting-edge work with innovative clients. The firm is also known for its work with life science and technology companies. Cooley has a highly social culture in 19 worldwide offices that will certainly appeal to affable personalities, and the firm boasts a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2025)
No. of Partners Named (2025)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2025)
No. of Summer Associates (2025)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
Cooley associates appreciate the firm’s laid-back atmosphere, describing its culture as professional but not stuffy. They also point to its flat organizational hierarchy that lets junior associates work alongside partners, a flexible three-day in-office policy, and firm-sponsored activities. In recruiting, Cooley emphasizes how candidates will fit with this culture, asking questions to assess their ability to work on a team. The firm’s attorneys say that although everyone gets one assigned mentor when hired, it’s common to find several informal mentors on the job. Partners make themselves accessible, strive to get to know the associates they work with, and provide informal mentorship. Associates typically divide their time between work that’s appropriate for their level and work t...
About the Firm
With more than 1,300 lawyers practicing across the United States, Europe, and Asia, Cooley is synonymous with tech and venture capital work. The firm is also highly regarded for its clean tech, cyber/data security, privacy, intellectual property, M&A, private equity, and securities practices.
Tech Roots
Cooley was founded by Arthur Cooley and Louis Crowley in 1920 in San Francisco. Six decades later, the firm opened an office in Palo Alto, the epicenter of American technology. The rest is history. The firm began working with venture capitalists, life sciences companies, and emerging technology startups, representing the likes of Adobe Systems and Gilead Sciences. It also took Genentech and Amgen public in 1980 and 1983, respectively. The firm advised on the formation of Draper,...
Associate Reviews
- “Cooley lawyers are fun ‘nerds.’ You won't see many sharp elbows here. In the [my] office, we have a fantastic team that organizes many firm events. In particular, every Tuesday is an anchor day where lawyers meet up to have lunch together and chat on all things work or non-work related. Separately, my office has a tradition of hosting partner dinners which gives associates a chance to bring their spouse to a partner's home. Interactions are generally upbeat and pleasant.”
- “I e...
Why Work Here
Culture & Inclusion at Cooley
"Cooley champions a diversity and inclusion strategy that is designed and implemented by a growing diversity & inclusion team and firm management, alongside key firm committees. Our three-pronged approach focuses on recruiting, retaining and promoting diverse talent across our firm. We engage and sustain these efforts through several innovative initiatives that drive career development, strengthen recruiting initiatives and promote acceptance and integration of diversity and inclusion as key priorities firmwide. From innovative..."
Getting Hired Here
- “We look for candidates who are interested in working with fast-growing tech and life science companies. While prior work experience is not required, it is valued since we look for candidates who can be put in front of client from day one. We really value our friendly and collegial culture, which also prioritizes excellence and providing great client service, so someone with good emotional intelligence as well as mental acuity and commitment to working hard is usually who we look to hire.”
Perks & Benefits