Cooley - Boston Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anyone with experience in the Cooley - Boston office (or Cooley as a whole)? I know that Cooley is very corporate focused, but it seems that they’re trying to build out their litigation practice, and as someone interested in litigation, I’m wondering if it would be dumb to choose them over a firm with a more robust litigation practice.

Also, as an older person, looking for a less sweaty sweatshop. So if anyone has insight into whether the culture at Cooley is actually chill, that would be great too.

Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Anyone with experience in the Cooley - Boston office (or Cooley as a whole)? I know that Cooley is very corporate focused, but it seems that they’re trying to build out their litigation practice, and as someone interested in litigation, I’m wondering if it would be dumb to choose them over a firm with a more robust litigation practice.

Also, as an older person, looking for a less sweaty sweatshop. So if anyone has insight into whether the culture at Cooley is actually chill, that would be great too.

Thanks!

This is far less common now, but Cooley used to no offer several people every year around 5 or 6 years ago. Usually nothing to worry about, but just a headsup

[Anonymous User]

Not a flame, but why would anyone seriously consider Cooley's non-CA offices if they had other options?

[Anonymous User]

Not a flame, but why would anyone seriously consider Cooley's non-CA offices if they had other options?

I'm not OP, but I assume maybe because of Cooley's WFH friendliness

[Anonymous User]

Have a close law school friend that was born and raised in Boston, had an offer from Ropes & Goodwin and chose Cooley. He said that he vibed with the people better and liked that it was still growing, wasn't super small, but not massive. He's enjoyed it so far and has no regrets! He is a corp guy though, so can't speak to the lit side of things too much.

[Anonymous User]

Boston lit associate here. I don't know much about Cooley Boston, but I did have one case against Cooley (don't recall if it was Boston or not) and I was thoroughly underwhelmed with their attorneys. It felt like a race to settlement for a quick buck rather than big boy litigation. But that's just one case and could have been client-driven, so take it with a grain of salt.

IMHO you're better off starting at one of the major Boston firms with sizable lit practices (WH/Goodwin, Ropes too) and lateralling to Cooley lit if they do indeed expand that practice successfully. Especially with this economy, I'd be warry of taking a position that's premised on expansion, rather than existing business.

[Anonymous User]

Not a flame, but why would anyone seriously consider Cooley's non-CA offices if they had other options?

I'm not OP, but I assume maybe because of Cooley's WFH friendliness

I'm pretty sure first-years are going to have to come in every now and then regardless of firm. Most are doing hybrid and can't enforce anyways. This isn't that great of a reason, and I would caution against OP hamstringing their career.

[Anonymous User]

Not a flame, but why would anyone seriously consider Cooley's non-CA offices if they had other options?

I'm not OP, but I assume maybe because of Cooley's WFH friendliness

I'm pretty sure first-years are going to have to come in every now and then regardless of firm. Most are doing hybrid and can't enforce anyways. This isn't that great of a reason, and I would caution against OP hamstringing their career.

I'm a first year at Cooley and live halfway across the country from my home office (not Boston, though). No complaints so far.

[Anonymous User]

Not a flame, but why would anyone seriously consider Cooley's non-CA offices if they had other options?

I’m in banking. Working with start ups is more gentle than your typical clients on levfin or project finance transactions.

[Anonymous User]

Not a flame, but why would anyone seriously consider Cooley's non-CA offices if they had other options?

I’m in banking. Working with start ups is more gentle than your typical clients on levfin or project finance transactions.

Is that true of their lit clients, too?

[Anonymous User]

Boston lit associate here. I don't know much about Cooley Boston, but I did have one case against Cooley (don't recall if it was Boston or not) and I was thoroughly underwhelmed with their attorneys. It felt like a race to settlement for a quick buck rather than big boy litigation. But that's just one case and could have been client-driven, so take it with a grain of salt.

IMHO you're better off starting at one of the major Boston firms with sizable lit practices (WH/Goodwin, Ropes too) and lateralling to Cooley lit if they do indeed expand that practice successfully. Especially with this economy, I'd be warry of taking a position that's premised on expansion, rather than existing business.

What’s post-clerkship hiring like at the big 3? Clerking for a local judge and want to break into the market.

[Anonymous User]

Boston lit associate here. I don't know much about Cooley Boston, but I did have one case against Cooley (don't recall if it was Boston or not) and I was thoroughly underwhelmed with their attorneys. It felt like a race to settlement for a quick buck rather than big boy litigation. But that's just one case and could have been client-driven, so take it with a grain of salt.

IMHO you're better off starting at one of the major Boston firms with sizable lit practices (WH/Goodwin, Ropes too) and lateralling to Cooley lit if they do indeed expand that practice successfully. Especially with this economy, I'd be warry of taking a position that's premised on expansion, rather than existing business.

What’s post-clerkship hiring like at the big 3? Clerking for a local judge and want to break into the market.

I don't recall seeing any new lit associates come in at WH without a clerkship outside of OCI, so you'll check that box. But I'm not sure how selective we are among clerks. It probably depends on our staffing needs and your other credentials. Worth applying though.

[Anonymous User]

Cooley Boston only has like 4-5 litigation partners, which is obviously better than 1-2, but would not be my first choice, especially if I have an offer from e.g. WilmerHale or Ropes

[Anonymous User]

Cooley Boston only has like 4-5 litigation partners, which is obviously better than 1-2, but would not be my first choice, especially if I have an offer from e.g. WilmerHale or Ropes

Not OP, but if you did not have offers from WH or Ropes, but instead only had offers from satellite offices in Boston (eg Cooley, Morgan Lewis, Mintz, Foley Hoag, etc), how would you stack Cooley?

[Anonymous User]

Cooley Boston only has like 4-5 litigation partners, which is obviously better than 1-2, but would not be my first choice, especially if I have an offer from e.g. WilmerHale or Ropes

Not OP, but if you did not have offers from WH or Ropes, but instead only had offers from satellite offices in Boston (eg Cooley, Morgan Lewis, Mintz, Foley Hoag, etc), how would you stack Cooley?

Not the quoted anon, but I don't see a reason to pick Cooley lit over these other firms aside from comp. The others (particularly Mintz/Foley) would give you better connections in the city and therefore, presumably, exit options.

[Anonymous User]

Boston lit associate here. I don't know much about Cooley Boston, but I did have one case against Cooley (don't recall if it was Boston or not) and I was thoroughly underwhelmed with their attorneys. It felt like a race to settlement for a quick buck rather than big boy litigation. But that's just one case and could have been client-driven, so take it with a grain of salt.

IMHO you're better off starting at one of the major Boston firms with sizable lit practices (WH/Goodwin, Ropes too) and lateralling to Cooley lit if they do indeed expand that practice successfully. Especially with this economy, I'd be warry of taking a position that's premised on expansion, rather than existing business.

What’s post-clerkship hiring like at the big 3? Clerking for a local judge and want to break into the market.

I don't recall seeing any new lit associates come in at WH without a clerkship outside of OCI, so you'll check that box. But I'm not sure how selective we are among clerks. It probably depends on our staffing needs and your other credentials. Worth applying though.

That’s good to know. I’ll be coming off of 2 clerkships, is that rare?

[Anonymous User]

Boston lit associate here. I don't know much about Cooley Boston, but I did have one case against Cooley (don't recall if it was Boston or not) and I was thoroughly underwhelmed with their attorneys. It felt like a race to settlement for a quick buck rather than big boy litigation. But that's just one case and could have been client-driven, so take it with a grain of salt.

IMHO you're better off starting at one of the major Boston firms with sizable lit practices (WH/Goodwin, Ropes too) and lateralling to Cooley lit if they do indeed expand that practice successfully. Especially with this economy, I'd be warry of taking a position that's premised on expansion, rather than existing business.

What’s post-clerkship hiring like at the big 3? Clerking for a local judge and want to break into the market.

I don't recall seeing any new lit associates come in at WH without a clerkship outside of OCI, so you'll check that box. But I'm not sure how selective we are among clerks. It probably depends on our staffing needs and your other credentials. Worth applying though.

That’s good to know. I’ll be coming off of 2 clerkships, is that rare?

Rare? No. Pretty much anybody who landed COA could have also clerked for a DCT if they wanted. Less common? Yeah. Hard to say what your chances are though without seeing your grades/judges/other experience and how many positions we're looking to fill.

Do you have any interest in IP lit? They are always busy and hiring in Boston, so if you're really interested in WH and concerned about odds then applying to IP lit (or at least expressing interest in taking on IP cases) might get you a harder look.

[Anonymous User]

Boston lit associate here. I don't know much about Cooley Boston, but I did have one case against Cooley (don't recall if it was Boston or not) and I was thoroughly underwhelmed with their attorneys. It felt like a race to settlement for a quick buck rather than big boy litigation. But that's just one case and could have been client-driven, so take it with a grain of salt.

IMHO you're better off starting at one of the major Boston firms with sizable lit practices (WH/Goodwin, Ropes too) and lateralling to Cooley lit if they do indeed expand that practice successfully. Especially with this economy, I'd be warry of taking a position that's premised on expansion, rather than existing business.

What’s post-clerkship hiring like at the big 3? Clerking for a local judge and want to break into the market.

I don't recall seeing any new lit associates come in at WH without a clerkship outside of OCI, so you'll check that box. But I'm not sure how selective we are among clerks. It probably depends on our staffing needs and your other credentials. Worth applying though.

That’s good to know. I’ll be coming off of 2 clerkships, is that rare?

Rare? No. Pretty much anybody who landed COA could have also clerked for a DCT if they wanted. Less common? Yeah. Hard to say what your chances are though without seeing your grades/judges/other experience and how many positions we're looking to fill.

Do you have any interest in IP lit? They are always busy and hiring in Boston, so if you're really interested in WH and concerned about odds then applying to IP lit (or at least expressing interest in taking on IP cases) might get you a harder look.

I can say that I am, but I don’t have a technical background at all, so I’m not sure how far my enthusiasm would get me.

[Anonymous User]

Boston lit associate here. I don't know much about Cooley Boston, but I did have one case against Cooley (don't recall if it was Boston or not) and I was thoroughly underwhelmed with their attorneys. It felt like a race to settlement for a quick buck rather than big boy litigation. But that's just one case and could have been client-driven, so take it with a grain of salt.

IMHO you're better off starting at one of the major Boston firms with sizable lit practices (WH/Goodwin, Ropes too) and lateralling to Cooley lit if they do indeed expand that practice successfully. Especially with this economy, I'd be warry of taking a position that's premised on expansion, rather than existing business.

What’s post-clerkship hiring like at the big 3? Clerking for a local judge and want to break into the market.

I don't recall seeing any new lit associates come in at WH without a clerkship outside of OCI, so you'll check that box. But I'm not sure how selective we are among clerks. It probably depends on our staffing needs and your other credentials. Worth applying though.

That’s good to know. I’ll be coming off of 2 clerkships, is that rare?

Rare? No. Pretty much anybody who landed COA could have also clerked for a DCT if they wanted. Less common? Yeah. Hard to say what your chances are though without seeing your grades/judges/other experience and how many positions we're looking to fill.

Do you have any interest in IP lit? They are always busy and hiring in Boston, so if you're really interested in WH and concerned about odds then applying to IP lit (or at least expressing interest in taking on IP cases) might get you a harder look.

I can say that I am, but I don’t have a technical background at all, so I’m not sure how far my enthusiasm would get me.

I worked at WH. Not everyone in the IP lit group had a tech background.

[Anonymous User]

I worked at WH. Not everyone in the IP lit group had a tech background.

Correct. In fact, I would venture to say most do not, and it's better (for you) if you don't. There's a separate group (IP Core) filled with tech-minded people who handle most of the technical aspects of patent cases. If you want real trial experience early on without having to go plaintiff side, IP lit at WH should be high up on your list.

[Anonymous User]

I worked at WH. Not everyone in the IP lit group had a tech background.

Correct. In fact, I would venture to say most do not, and it's better (for you) if you don't. There's a separate group (IP Core) filled with tech-minded people who handle most of the technical aspects of patent cases. If you want real trial experience early on without having to go plaintiff side, IP lit at WH should be high up on your list.

Thank you! That’s great advice and aligns with my goals perfectly.

[Anonymous User]

I worked at WH. Not everyone in the IP lit group had a tech background.

Correct. In fact, I would venture to say most do not, and it's better (for you) if you don't. There's a separate group (IP Core) filled with tech-minded people who handle most of the technical aspects of patent cases. If you want real trial experience early on without having to go plaintiff side, IP lit at WH should be high up on your list.

Thank you! That’s great advice and aligns with my goals perfectly.

I'm the second quoted anon. If you're interested in learning more and are willing to post non-anon or on a dummy account, I can PM you.

[BurnerNumberOne]

I worked at WH. Not everyone in the IP lit group had a tech background.

Correct. In fact, I would venture to say most do not, and it's better (for you) if you don't. There's a separate group (IP Core) filled with tech-minded people who handle most of the technical aspects of patent cases. If you want real trial experience early on without having to go plaintiff side, IP lit at WH should be high up on your list.

Thank you! That’s great advice and aligns with my goals perfectly.

I'm the second quoted anon. If you're interested in learning more and are willing to post non-anon or on a dummy account, I can PM you.

I would appreciate that. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Recently received an offer from WH. Is it a no-brainer to go that route as someone interested in litigation?

While my QoL will probably be crummy in BL no matter what, will it be markedly worse in at WH compared to a satellite office of a national firm like Cooley?

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Recently received an offer from WH. Is it a no-brainer to go that route as someone interested in litigation?

While my QoL will probably be crummy in BL no matter what, will it be markedly worse in at WH compared to a satellite office of a national firm like Cooley?

No. My friends who were in lit when I was at WH billed ~2000 (which included hundreds of hours of pro bono). I would not turn dow. WH litigation for Cooley even if that weren’t the case. Cooley isn’t as known for its litigation practices.