Firm Profile > Cooley LLP > New York, United States

Cooley LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Cooley LLP’s phenomenal run on the equity side continues apace as the Palo Alto-headquartered firm continues to ride the technology and life sciences IPO wave. The firm ranked first by both deal value and deal count for issuer-side US IPOs during 2019, demonstrating its stronghold on the most active sectors coming to market. In a highlight example of its sweet spot, the firm advised longstanding client Uber on its $8.1bn IPO, which represented the third-largest tech IPO of all time. Significantly, it also continues to make inroads into underwriter-side work. San Francisco-based global co-chair David Peinsipp is an ‘amazing lawyer and client manager’; he regularly ranks among the most active lawyers in the country for technology offerings and was at the helm for several of the firm’s recent IPOs, including Uber. San Diego-based Charlie Kim co-chairs the global department and handles a good balance of issuer and underwriter-side matters. New York-based Div Gupta co-leads the East Coast practice and is a leader in healthcare-related offerings. Up-and-coming San Francisco-based partner Siana Lowrey is ‘practical, smart and well-organized’ and co-led the Uber deal.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 1

With an established base in Silicon Valley, Cooley LLP stands out in the venture capital and emerging company sectors for its wide-ranging expertise in the sphere. The practice has very strong expertise in assisting a solid client base of start-up companies drawn from the life sciences and tech sectors. In a major highlight, Santa Monica-based Dave Young led the advice to media personality Kylie Jenner on selling a 51% stake of her cosmetics company (with an aggregate value of $600m) to beauty company Coty as part of a strategic partnership. San Diego-based senior counsel Fred Muto and Mark Tanoury in Palo Alto are highly regarded practitioners. In Reston, Mike Lincoln heads up the business department, while Boston-based Pat Mitchell and Matt Bartus, who relocated to the firm's Singapore office in January 2020, share leadership of the emerging companies practice.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)

Cooley LLP's cyber, data and privacy practice handles a range of disputes and non-contentious matters, combining expertise in litigation and investigations with experience of regulatory compliance, breach preparedness and transactional matters. The group has a particularly impressive roster of clients in the technology and big data space, as well as a strong reputation in the digital health and life sciences, telecoms, media, financial services and retail sectors. Global practice head Michael Rhodes and Matthew Brown, both in San Francisco, are names to note for litigation; they jointly lead the team alongside Travis LeBlanc, who splits his time between Washington DC and San Francisco; David Navetta in Colorado; and New York-based Boris Segalis. Randy Sabett in Washington DC is another name to note for cybersecurity, privacy, IT licensing and intellectual property issues. Andrew Roth joined Intuit as chief privacy officer.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 1

The team at Cooley LLP is well known for assisting telecoms, fintech and software sector clients, as well as education and online media start-ups, with patent issues, development and distribution agreements, licensing matters and M&A-related technology transactions. Keith Berets leads the practice from the Colorado office. Other key contacts include Palo Alto-based T’Challa Jabari Graham and Adam Ruttenberg and Adam Chase, both based in Washington DC.

Industry focus > Healthcare: life sciences Tier 2

Cooley LLP's client base includes high-growth and mature companies, as well as entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and financial institutions. The team is particularly well-placed to advise on corporate partnering and licensing, venture financings, capital markets and M&A transaction, as well as IP prosecution, counseling, licensing and litigation, and regulatory and securities litigation. The highly regarded transactional practitioner Barbara Kosacz (Palo Alto) heads the practice with New York-based Ivor Elrifri who chairs the firm's global patent counseling and prosecution practice group. Key names to note for transactional matters include Barbara Borden and Kay Chandler in San Diego, Laura Berezin, Mark Weeks and Kate Hillier in Palo Alto, and Marc Recht in Boston. Mika Reiner Mayer is recommended for patent prosecution and strategic portfolio management for life sciences startups and established companies; Lila Hope specializes in transactions involving complex intellectual property issues, and Marya Postner is particularly experienced in handling strategic alliances between biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in areas as diverse as collaborative research and the development and marketing of late-stage pharmaceutical products.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 2

Los Angeles-based Cooley LLP provides 'top-notch trademark litigation services' and is rated for its 'very deep bench that knows the law, knows how it applies in a practical setting and is able to advocate effectively for its clients'. Senior counsel John Crittenden is 'a stellar trademark litigator' with additional expertise in domain name disputes and false advertising. Another name to note is Bobby Ghajar, who recently acted for Anheuser-Busch in a case involving the use of an iconic canine mascot, Spuds MacKenzie, in a Super Bowl television commercial.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 2

Cooley LLP is known throughout the market for its strength in the technology sector, where it handles buy and sell-side transactions for public and private companies. In addition to its corporate counseling, and M&A and transactional work, the team also has experience of large-scale joint ventures and commercial agreements, IP asset acquisitions and patent cross-licenses. The group also has experience of transactions in the life sciences, medical device and healthcare, consumer, education, defense and media industries. San Diego-based global M&A co-chair Barbara Borden acts for boards of directors in connection with M&A and related governance and anti-takeover matters. Joint practice chair Jamie Leigh in San Francisco handles takeover and activist defense engagements, proxy contests, joint venture structuring and strategic equity investments. Another contact in San Francisco is Ben Beerle, who is particularly experienced in cross-border M&A. Mehdi Khodadad left for Sidley Austin LLP.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 2

The team at Cooley LLP has an enviable track record representing commercial broadcasters and cable television networks, whilst also assisting clients on spectrum matters, equipment authorization and device regulation, and satellite issues. Led by regulated transaction specialist Michael Basile and former FCC commissioner Robert McDowell, the team has successfully advised clients on complicated FCC regulatory and policy matters - structuring and negotiating complex transactions requiring FCC approval, and representing telecom and media companies in high-stakes FCC investigations. Basile leads a team that is advising Apollo Global Management on its Fund IX acquisitions of scores of local television stations. Key lawyers include senior counsel John Feore, who regularly assists major television, radio and media companies and their investors, and special counsel Jason Rademacher, who specializes in FCC enforcement defense work. Associate Henry Wendel  assists broadcast groups and investors on the purchase and sale of radio and television properties.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

'Responsive, sensible and great to work with', remarks a client of the securities litigation practice at Cooley LLP, which climbs the ranking this year. A prominent firm on the West Coast, it has defended more life sciences companies in securities class actions filed over the past ten years than any other firm. In that sector, the firm scored a string of victories in 2019, including successes in state courts of appeals and circuit courts of appeals, as well as before the US Supreme Court. The firm also has substantial experience in representing Special Litigation Committees and Audit Committees and in handling internal investigations, as well as regulatory enforcement actions. Practice head Koji Fukumura in San Diego is 'very engaging, hardworking, detail-oriented and very smart'. Patrick Gibbs is an experienced trial lawyer in Palo Alto who is 'passionate about people, clients and cases'.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 3

Cooley LLP enjoys a stellar reputation as a go-to firm for complex high-stakes patent disputes. Adept at technology and life sciences litigation alike, the group has built an excellent track record of victories regarding a broad range of patents, including blockbuster biosimilar patents, medical device patents and software patents. The team demonstrates strength in all US patent venues and is well versed in the management of multi-venue cases, drawing on its pool of experienced PTAB practitioners, district court and Federal Circuit specialists and ITC experts to strategically staff each case. Clients include many blue-chip companies, especially from the technology sector, but also a number of start-ups specialising in disruptive technologies. Practice head Stephen Smith is based in Washington DC. The renowned Heidi Keefe operates from the Palo Alto office. Other key offices are in New York, Reston and Boulder. Chris Campbell joined King & Spalding LLP in March 2019.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 3

Cooley LLP strengthened its presence on the East Coast with the hire of Jeff Greene in New York from Fenwick & West LLP. Among his recent standout work, Greene has been advising the cloud computing company ServiceNow on its global trademark protection and enforcement strategy. On the West Coast, Bobby Ghajar, who works from the firm's Los Angeles office, has been active in clearance, prosecution and enforcement matters for AnheuserBusch. In San Francisco, senior counsel John Crittenden is highly recommended for his work on global trademark protection strategies, acting for clients such as Kamut International.

Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech Tier 3

Cooley LLP is known for its work in the disruptive technology space, where it brings together skill sets in corporate and finance transactions, data privacy, and intellectual property to provide a range of services to clients in the fintech space. The practice group is headed by Boston-based Alfred Browne, who specializes in private equity and technology transactions.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: transactional Tier 3

Led by former FCC commissioner Robert McDowell and transaction specialist Michael Basile, the Washington DC team at Cooley LLP advises on spectrum issues, including those related to wireless, equipment authorizations and device regulation, and satellite. Obtaining FCC approvals is a key area of strength, specifically broadcast transactions arising from the FCC's incentive auction, where the firm acts for several clients in post-auction transactions and channel-sharing arrangements.  Broadcast regulatory expert John Feore, telecoms and media corporate specialist Kevin Mills, and associate Henry Wendel are among the firm’s key practitioners in this space.

Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 3

Cooley LLP has a strong reputation in the real estate markets of Northern Virginia and Washington DC, where it is retained by property owners and developers for assistance with a range of complex land use and zoning matters. Mark Looney and Colleen Gillis are the firm's primary contacts for planning and zoning work, covering a huge variety of office, residential, industrial, mixed-use and planned community projects. Another name to note is John Lavoie, who chairs the wider real estate group. All named practitioners are based in the Reston office.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 3

Cooley LLP represents clients in tax controversy at the federal and state levels, and is also noted for its experience in tax matters with complex cross-border components. New York-based practice head Kathleen Pakenham acts for a client base including a number of Fortune 500 companies, advising on tax shelter issues, options trading transactions, and tax fraud, among others matters. Another contact is Adriana Wirtz, who regularly represents clients in high-stakes matters in federal and state courts, as well as in proceedings before the IRS.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4

In addition to its reputation as a leading firm in Silicon Valley, Cooley LLP has a commercial disputes department which is active across the country and highly regarded for its technology and life sciences practices. In a matter demonstrating development of the firm's East Coast antitrust litigation, Philip Bowman is representing pharmaceutical company Retrophin in an antitrust case filed by Spring Pharmaceuticals and pending in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The department also has wide-ranging expertise in IP and trade secrets litigation. On the East Coast, Joseph Drayton is defending Bloomberg against patent infringement and theft of trade secrets claims in the Southern District of New York. In the Central District of California, Michael Attanasio and Alan Levine are representing plaintiff ChromaDex in a trade secrets and breach of contract dispute against Elysium Health. Among significant team developments, Travis LeBlanc joined the DC office in January 2019 from Boies Schiller Flexner LLP to become vice-chair of the firm's cyber/data/privacy practice.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

Based in New York, Cooley LLP’s international arbitration department specializes in commercial and investment treaty arbitration in the technology and life sciences sectors, though its recent work has also shown activity in the construction and energy sectors, as well as in post-M&A arbitrations and general commercial disputes. The department prides itself on its partner-led approach to dispute resolution, as well as on its transatlantic cooperation with its London-based counterpart, particularly in public international law issues. Mark Beckett, Marc Suskin and Rachel Thorn jointly lead the group.

Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 4

Cooley LLP specializes in handling highly technical cases involving manufacturing, life sciences, and technology. Key figures in the team include New York-based Ian Shapiro, who heads the East Coast business litigation group; Michael Sheetz in Boston, who has complementary experience negotiating employment contracts; and Stephen Smith, who chairs the IP litigation team from Washington DC. Adam Gershenson, also based in Boston, is another name to note. Jonathan Bach left the firm in January 2019 to join Shapiro Arato Bach.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 5

Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) Tier 5

Cooley LLP specialises in prosecution work for life sciences clients, including pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology players. The key offices are New York where practice head Ivor Elrifi is based, and Palo Alto from where Mika Reiner Mayer operates.

Investment funds > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 5

Primarily based in Palo Alto, the team at Cooley LLP stands out for its established capabilities in venture capital funds work. Among the team's recent highlights, John Dado assisted Menlo Ventures with the closing of The Inflection Fund, which raised $500m, while John Clendenin advised Arboretum Ventures on the closing of its fifth fund, valued at $250m. Another key figure is Nicole Peppe in the Boston office; she advised 3L Capital on the closing of its debut fund, which raised $217m. Shane Goudey, Mark Tanoury, and San Francisco-based Jordan Silber are also recommended. Craig Dauchy has retired.

Real estate > Real estate Tier 5

Cooley LLP handles development projects and commercial leasing matters across a range of asset types, including mixed-use, office, retail, residential, industrial and transport, healthcare and hotel projects. John Lavoie oversees the practice in Reston, Virginia. Lavoie specializes in corporate real estate transactions and property finance throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The team is particularly knowledgeable of the Washington DC and North Virginia markets and directs particular attention to the acquisition, construction, development financing and leasing of data centers.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 6

Cooley LLP fields a number of experienced tax practitioners, including Boston-based William Corcoran, who advises corporates and partnerships on state and federal income tax matters. Kathleen Pakenham chairs the practice from New York. Alexander Lee is likewise recommended.