Cooper & Kirk Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have information about Cooper & Kirk? Hiring practices, salary ranges, etc.? Does anyone know about the interview process?

[Anonymous User]

They take demonstrably conservative feeder-level 1Ls from Y/H. Both folks from my cohort who summered there also became SCOTUS clerks (correlation, not causation).

[Anonymous User]

I would guess most of their permanent hiring is post-clerkship and not from their SA classes, right? I've also heard that they pay below market. Any insight into that?

[Anonymous User]

I’ve got friends there. Not a place you apply to in the same way you’d apply to Kellogg Hansen or Susman Godfrey—it’s a spot for SCOTUS-caliber folks with a demonstrably conservative track record. If you’re not directly solicited, I don’t know that I’d bother applying.

[Anonymous User]

It's a very small shop (fewer than 20 lawyers) that isn't going to have a steady recruiting pipeline in the same way larger boutiques like Susman might. I agree you probably need to be solicited, or at least know folks there to get in (along with the requisite credentials).

As an aside, Chuck Cooper took me out to lunch (on his dime) before I started law school. Even though I don't necessarily align politically with him, he's a very impressive guy. If you find yourself in the position to work for him, I wouldn't hesitate.

[Anonymous User]

I’ve got friends there. Not a place you apply to in the same way you’d apply to Kellogg Hansen or Susman Godfrey—it’s a spot for SCOTUS-caliber folks with a demonstrably conservative track record. If you’re not directly solicited, I don’t know that I’d bother applying.

(Anon to avoid outing myself)

Assuming those credentials, do you know what working at the firm is like? Especially curious about their hours, compensation, and opportunities for early responsibility.

[Birdman1330]

I know a guy who got a recent position there. Very strong conservative credentials and connections (CCN). Not SCOTUS, but strong appellate clerkship lined up.

[Anonymous User]

There's a David Lat profile that's good on the firm, that says it pays market, including for SCOTUS clerk bonuses. Looks like their PPP is really high too for a lit firm.

[theneuro]

Not sure you necessarily have to be conservative to work there. Political leanings there are mixed — one of the top partners is a liberal — and you don’t have to work on the political cases. But I doubt a liberal would want to work there with this political climate.

[LBJ's Hair]

Not sure you necessarily have to be conservative to work there. Political leanings there are mixed — one of the top partners is a liberal — and you don’t have to work on the political cases. But I doubt a liberal would want to work there with this political climate.

I mean putting aside the political climate, why would you, as a liberal w/sterling legal credentials, want to work at a 20-person law firm embedded in the conservative legal movement if you're...not interested in the conservative legal movement

it's not like clerking for a well-regarded conservative judge for one year lol this is your career