Cooley was a great place to work, until it wasn't. - Marketing Cooley Employee Review

3.0
Apr 16, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great firm for attorneys, Great benefits, competitive salaries, fitness reimbursement, IT department keeps employees armed with the latest tech software/hardware.

Cons

Not a great firm for staff. There are too many directors and too many managers. The firm is top heavy and needs highly effective leaders, not more mediocre leaders. In-fighting at the C-level, distrust at the director level and confusion at the manager level. New directors/managers join the firm and are quickly immersed into the bureaucracy of the firm which prevents them from effectively managing teams. High performing staff are overwhelmed, carry the majority of the workload and receive very little recognition when it comes to merit & bonus increases. Merit & bonus decisions are made at the C-level which directly correlates to the amount of face time you have and not a representation of employee production.

Explore other reviews about Cooley

5.0
Jun 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great work-life balance, lots of support and mentorship, and opportunity for growth.

Cons

Commute can be difficult, if you don't live nearby your office.

2.0
Jul 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Hudson river view from the office is amazing - Modern sleek interior (like Virgin Airlines lounge) with various different working spaces (although none are private) - Interesting variety of clients, especially in the emerging technologies - as far as NYC options go, this is among the most casual environment without stuffy formalities (e.g. dress) - if you manage to find a good group of people in a high powered practice area and just work with them ALL THE TIME, you'll probably enjoy it - firm treats summer associates really really well (but don't expect it to carry over to being an associate) - is an early adapter for rolling out tech in various areas

Cons

- there is a TON of BS, hypocrisy and lip service from management to attorneys on things like DEI, hiring & retention, culture, transparency, etc. - firm can be vicious with stealth layoffs while gaslighting you to believe it's "unsatisfactory performance" - politics over performance: who (specifically, big partner) knows you / likes you matters more than your skills/performance when it comes to it - (promotions, layoffs, etc.) - Only partners get offices; others are in cubicles in an open space pit with no privacy or noise protection - regardless of what the firm touts about "Cooley culture," it's just another cold cutthroat BigLaw player trying to claw higher up AmLaw 100, not afraid of churn & burn through associates and less profitable partners alike - three words: white boys club.

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