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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
Cooley Godward [Jefferson Byrd] The bubble may have burst for the dot com industry, but Cooley Godward remains a leader in the high tech practice.
Cooley Godward’s information technology
$125,000 plus a healthy bonus right out of
communication and encourage hospitable
specialty dates back to the 1950s. In the 70s
law school.
behavior. The liberal stance on maternity leave and flexible work arrangements taken
and 80s, the firm established itself as one of America’s preeminent technology law firms
When the dot com tide ebbed, Cooley God-
there makes Cooley popular with working
by taking the most powerful biotech com-
ward was among the many businesses to
parents. The firm has also established itself
panies public. From San Francisco, Cooley
feel the pinch. The weakening of the national
as a firm hospitable to gay and lesbian at-
relocated to the Silicon Valley, the high tech
economy caused Cooley to suffer over a
torneys.
capital of the world, in the early 80s, opening
hundred layoffs between 2001 and 2003.
offices in Palo Alto and Menlo Park. The firm
Hardships withstanding, the firm man-
The hiring practices are not nearly as rigid as
expanded in size and focus from a regional
aged to cut corners and retain its powerful
those of conservative law firms of compa-
specialist firm to a full-service national firm,
roster of clients. Cooley was able to take
rable size. During the soaring economy,
riding the crest of the exploding computer
advantage of the troubles in the high tech
Cooley’s demand for attorneys increased
industry at the end of the 20th century.
industry by bolstering its litigation practice
drastically, then fell with the recession. Still,
during the litigious times that followed. The
the firm considers important factors besides
In the 90s, the firm more than doubled in
firm today employs over 500 attorneys in 20
grades. Credentials from a top-tier school
size, growing to over 700 attorneys. Profits
industries. Recently, more than a dozen of
would benefit a candidate, but real world
per partner quadrupled. Cooley Godward
Cooley’s attorneys ranked high on Chambers
experience, professionalism, and overall in-
is still ranked number one in representa-
USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Business Lawyers.
telligence are more significant qualifications
the largest biotech IPO ever. The firm also
Through adversity, Cooley has tried to main-
Jobs
oversaw the $4.5 billion merger of MMC and
tain its laidback demeanor. The partners
AMMC, the largest semiconductor acquisition
pride themselves on providing a “lifestyle
Cooley Godward currently has openings in
ever. Cooley successfully defended internet
firm” environment, and despite the setbacks
San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Diego, Colora-
giant eBay against competitor Bidder’s Edge,
endured since the crash of the high tech
do, and Washington DC, including opportuni-
and cell phone company Qualcomm against
market, they still offer a high quality of life
ties for experienced corporate, bankruptcy,
Ericsson. In the last ten years, Cooley has
for associates. A casual atmosphere is usu-
real estate, employment and litigation attor-
been behind 230 IPOs worth an estimated
ally advocated in Cooley’s offices. Though
neys. More information regarding attorney
$20 billion, making it one of the top firms
the social calendar is not as full as it once
positions at Cooley Godward can be found in
nationally for public offerings.
was during the heyday of the end of the last
the LawCrossing job database.
tion of life science companies. They handled
for a prospective Cooley associate.
Adgenix’s initial public offering in 2000,
century, a rich variety of social interactions is As the founder of the West Coast’s first ven-
available at the firm. The partners have been
ture capital partnership, Cooley has helped
characterized as relaxed and down-to-earth,
many small businesses off the ground. The
and an open-door policy is maintained.
firm’s clientele includes two-person start up companies and Fortune 500 powerhouses
Cooley has taken measures to further its
like DirecTV, Nintendo, NBC, and TiVo.
reputation as host to a progressive work
Salaries at Cooley Godward rose to meet the
environment. The firm employs industrial
demand in the 90s. Associates could expect
psychologists to resolve issues of intergroup
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