Pros
Cooley's compensation is generous, as is their benefits package. Vacation time is also generous. Their offices at Hudson Yards are very nice with great views of the city. Depending on what group you get to work with, a good working environment with good camaraderie is possible. Cooley's work-from-home culture is fair and above-average, though can be better. Their café is great, too. (They offer free lunch, every week, as well.) People here truly know what they're doing - everyone knows their job well.
Cons
Cooley is disingenuous. They present themselves to be something they're not. They're just as uptight and "ruley" as any other typical, big law firm. Employees are just another number, as much as they try to act like they're not. Partners are given inordinate amounts of importance and influence in the employee review process - even when they're completely off the mark or have clear vendettas. The wrong kind of people are promoted, awarded and recognized, while the ones who truly work hard, are skilled and dedicated get overlooked. It's all about politics, here. Cooley's turnover rate has skyrocketed, which speaks volumes. Young associates are disillusioned after being lured in with promises of glory and special treatment, only to be met with harsh realities and treatment. Staff is not appreciated, in direct contradiction to what Cooley likes to promote. Staff Appreciation day isn't even observed anymore. Cooley's review process is extremely flawed - as much as they try to change it, it seems to worsen every year (anyone with any title above yours can review you, whether you actually work with them or not and, as much as they try to make you believe that all reviews count, only partners' truly matter.) After a certain age (relatively young), even if still relevant and pulling in strong billables, partners are demoted to "senior counsel" and are suddenly left to feel they don't matter, either. Assistants are relegated to working in teams - providing support to large groups of junior associates and paralegals - in ADDITION to being directly assigned to a high number of senior associates and partners (being directly assigned to 8+ attorneys is pretty normal, yet they're expected to also provide support to the large team of junior associates). In short, Cooley's understaffed, and staff is overworked yet remain unappreciated. But, this also depends on the group, department and/or office you're in, which speaks to another problem: lack of consistency across offices. It is widely known and accepted that their NY office is very different from their other offices, especially compared to those on the West Coast. West Coasters who visit are often left dumbfounded at the difference in culture - and not in a good way. There are also seemingly different sets of unspoken rules across offices, which creates resentment. Staff is left with no true support and representation as their manager only exists for the clear benefit and convenience of the attorneys and not the staff they oversee. Overall, the culture at Cooley has changed drastically over the years and they are no longer refreshingly different as they once were.