Cooley

Our Survey Says

 VAULT'S 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 that’s more advanced, with the chance to take on more challenging assignments, depending on the matter. Compensation matches the market, and everyone who meets expectations and hits the firm’s 1,950-hour billable requirement, which includes unlimited pro bono hours and up to 107 hours for firm citizenship activities, receives a bonus. Above-market bonuses are available for high-performing attorneys based on their quality of work and billable hours. Becoming an equity partner is realistic for those who want it, and although the firm does not offer non-equity partner roles, associates can advance into special counsel positions. In-house exit opportunities with clients are strong. Among its unique perks, the firm offers its attorneys the chance to invest in its venture capital fund and a mentor who provides individual counsel on career goals. It also provides an on-site coffee bar (in some offices), meal reimbursements after long workdays, and an appreciated parental leave policy.