Cooley

• “Cooley has a robust training program for summer associates. Work assignments were given by an assignment coordinator who coordinated with summers and assigning attorneys to make sure everyone had cool opportunities to work on what they wanted. We had weekly meetings to discuss workload and request assignments based on our interests. I am currently going through the first-year associate training, and I can tell that the summer program serves as a strong foundation for the skills we are learning now.”
• “I was receiving and turning around matters that went directly to the client. I was also joining client calls with substance. I was part of a trial team and conducted analysis that was used in trial arguments.”
• “We had lots of training both in the DC office and firmwide. I was constantly staffed on several clients, which allowed for a broad range of practice area work. I also had the opportunity for client interactions and lots of pro bono work.”
• “I appreciated that I got to work on ‘real’ and active matters. I did not encounter any ‘manufactured’ assignments just to keep me busy. I worked on research that impacted the case team and provided substantive value back to the client.”

• “Classic summer program: weekly events and daily lunches, frequent happy hours, etc. One of my favorite events was taking a limo to the partner-in-charge's house in the suburbs and having a barbeque there with much of the office, and the end of summer boat cruise followed by a table at a speakeasy/bar.”
• “The firm provides ample opportunity to socialize with attorneys within and outside practice groups. These opportunities included both scheduled events and impromptu dinners, drinks, and lunches, which help break down the formal barriers at the typical law firm events. Highlight of the summer associate program is Seascape, a trip to California, where you get the opportunity to network and connect with summer associates and attorneys firmwide.”
• “Two to three formal social events each week, with near-daily informal lunches with members of my practice group. Favorite summer event was the four-day excursion to Seascape with all summer associates across the country.”

• “I feel like my experience as a summer associate and a junior associate lined up well, Cooley does a good job of making sure that summer associates receive substantive work and feedback throughout the summer, which translates well to the work.”
• “All corporate associates are general for the first three years, and I thought I'd have to work in all general corporate practice groups. Instead, I've had the flexibility to try whatever I want while specializing early after figuring it out during my second year.”
• “No notable differences. Expectations and responsibility are higher than during the summer program but that is to be expected. The people and culture have remained consistent.”
• “The main difference was that I ended up switching practice groups and offices, so the people I worked with and setting are a different. But overall, I don't think I was sold something different than reality. We all know what a summer program is and what BigLaw is, and as far as BigLaw goes, this is one of the more humane places.”

Cooley’s summer program gives participants an unfiltered introduction to life and practice at the firm. It enables them to experience Cooley’s commitment to providing extraordinary legal services in a professional and collaborative environment. Our program provides opportunities for our summer associates to interact with each other locally and firmwide as a class during Seascape, the firm’s summer training on the California coast, which creates bonds that go beyond the summer program. Constructive feedback is shared at the conclusion of each assignment and in formal mid- and end-of-summer feedback sessions. Assigned mentors ensure that each summer is integrated into the firm over the course of the program.

With real assignments, hands-on skills training, participation in practice group meetings, and feedback from Cooley lawyers, summer associates can expect to get a real sense of what it means not only to practice at Cooley but also to “Be Cooley.”