Cooley LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Cooley LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Cooley LLP maintained high levels of activity in 2021, with further impressive deal flow in tech, healthcare and life sciences. It continued to work on some of the highest value deals in the market. Although better known for issuer-side engagements, it is building its reputation for representing underwriters; bank clients include Credit Suisse Securities, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Securities. The firm has also become more recognised for US offerings by foreign issuers; it advised Coupang, the South Korean e-commerce giant, on its headline $4.55bn NYSE IPO, the largest Wall Street debut by a foreign issuer in seven years. Moreover, the firm has achieved further prominence in de-SPAC mergers. The team is spread across it multiple US offices with co-chairs Charlie Kim  and David Peinsipp  based in San Diego and San Francisco respectively. Palo Alto’s Eric Jensen , who led the Coupang deal, and New York partner Eric Blanchard are also prominent figures. Boston partner Richard Segal is an emerging talent, and in March 2022 the firm gained equity and debt transactions expert John-Paul Motley from O’Melveny & Myers.

Industry focus > Healthcare: life sciences Tier 1

The life sciences team at Cooley LLP ‘draw on their extensive experience’ with major life sciences clients to act on market-leading transactions. Through its traditional work base advising on capital markets offerings, it has expanded its focus on licensing agreements, collaborations and product sales, including Palo Alto-based Marya Postner‘s advice on a $1.2bn sale of an antibody program to Novo Nordisk. The team also has experience advising on patent prosecutions, as well as securities and commercial litigation. San Diego-based Kay Chandler and Boston-based Christian Plaza co-lead the team, respectively providing expertise on major M&A and capital markets transactions. New York-based Ivor Elrifi offers significant patent advice to his clients, on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Kate Hillier, who works in both Palo Alto and Seattle, is known for her experience providing advice to growing companies developing biopharmaceutical and digital health products. On financing matters, Palo Alto-based Laura Berezin and Reston-based Ken Krisko are key names.

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

Cooley LLP is an undoubted market leader for all forms of venture capital and emerging companies work. The ‘great team‘ is widely considered by clients to be an ‘extension of the business‘ and a ‘great business partner to a company that does not have in-house legal counsel‘. The balanced practice acts for a wide mix of early-to-late stage companies, and venture capital, corporate venture and private equity funds. In 2021, the firm expanded its domestic footprint by opening a Chicago office, to build on the city’s emerging status as a tech hub. This includes three new dedicated emerging companies partners: Richard Ginsberg, Laurie Bauer and Greg Grossman, who respectively joined from Winston & Strawn LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP and DLA Piper LLP (US). They add to a practice with a strong presence on the East Coast, including New York partners Adam Dinow (‘an encyclopedia of equity deal terms and investment matters‘) and Stephane Levy  (‘continues to deliver best-in-class business-focused and pragmatic legal advice‘), and Michael Lincoln in Virginia. San Francisco-based practice head Peter Werner and partner Rachel Proffitt, as well as Palo Alto’s Sale Kwon and Mark Tanoury, are among the key names flying the West Coast flag. Matthew Bartus is global co-chair of the practice.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 1

Cooley LLP is a solid name in the market for cybersecurity, data and privacy law and its name is linked to the assistance of large companies in the healthtech, education, insurtech, fintech, social media and life sciences sectors. The team’s workload notably includes data protection work on IPOs and privacy class actions in the context of social media. Cross-practice expertise in venture capital and emerging companies is also highly appreciated by clients. In San Francisco, Michael Rhodes acts as global chair and Matthew Brown as vice chair. Vice chairs in other offices are Travis LeBlanc in Washington DC, who has ‘broad experience provides business-focused counsel’ and Denver's David Navetta. In Washington DC, associate Charlie Wood stands out for his privacy and data security litigation practice. In June 2021, Lei Shen joined the Chicago-based team from Mayer Brown LLP.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 1

Cooley LLP is one of the country’s leading technology firms, a fact reflected by its multi-faceted transactions practice. The team is firmly embedded in the market and represents recent household names, such as Zoom, through to emerging companies and start-ups. The firm’s expertise covers a wide range of business sectors including fintech, cloud computing, digital and social media, healthcare, space, cybersecurity and nanotechnology. Corporate and outsourcing attorneys work closely with IP lawyers to advise on a wide range of issues including M&A, joint venture and business service agreements, as well as the buying, selling, licensing and development of technology-based services. Key partners include Washington DC’s Adam Ruttenberg for outsourcing matters and Keith Berets in Denver for IP transactions and related M&A. New York partner Len Jacoby has established an extremely strong track record in advising technology companies, asset managers and investment banks in IP-driven corporate transactions. The team is led from the firm’s Palo Alto office by TJ Graham, and includes Charles Haley and Tracy Rubin, who was recently recruited from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

Cooley LLP is a key adviser to many of the world’s largest technology and life sciences companies in the full range of securities disputes. The firm is praised as ‘creative in addition to being knowledgeable on the subject matter‘, and one client remarks that the firm also has ‘excellent strengths with SEC litigation matters defense work, strong experience, and knows the issues and key players‘. A prime example of its on-going work is its defense of Nvidia arising from the company’s $25bn loss in market capitalization over a three-month period in late 2018, led by practice head Patrick Gibbs and key partner John Dwyer , both based out of Palo Alto. Koji Fukumura in San Diego, a former chair of securities litigation, continues to act for many of California’s largest corporations, among them Qualcomm and Arlo Technologies, including representing Arlo in multiple securities class actions filed in connection with the company’s 2018 IPO.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 2

The ‘top-notch’ team at Cooley LLP represents in complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes involving the trademarks of major global brands. Brendan Hughes in Washington DC leads the team, representing high-profile clients such as Google, SpaceX and Gilead Sciences, across the tech and life science sectors. At the Silicon Valley office, Angela Dunning brings experience appearing before federal and state courts, assisting key players in the biotech, financial services and real estate areas. Bobby Ghajar provides expertise in infringement actions and false advertising and trademark class action lawsuits at the Los Angeles location, where JP Oleksiuk represents public figures and trademarks holders in the healthcare services, apparel, and coffee industries. John Crittenden  retired from the firm in March 2021.

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

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

Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 2

Cooley LLP fields a team of land use and zoning experts based at its Reston office, covering the breadth of projects across Virginia. Praised as an ‘amazing team of innovative, hard working and dedicated attorneys and planners that know how to get zonings approved‘, the team has a focus on the state’s more complex cases, involving obtaining approvals from public bodies, and presenting proposed zoning changes to community groups and the local media. John Lavoie leads the wider real estate team and oversees land use and zoning matters. There are two key specialists to note: Colleen Gillis is a standout name in the market, recently representing longstanding client The Peterson Companies in four significant projects within Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg; and Mark Looney, who acts for property owners and national, regional and local developers on all aspects of the land planning, zoning and development process.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 3

The team members of Cooley LLP are highlighted for being ‘very capable of identifying strategic opportunities, recommending best practices, and leveraging their experience to improve the quality of the work that they deliver.’ The group has established itself as a go-to counsel for the new economy, regularly representing life sciences and technology companies in a range of commercial disputes. New York's Ian Shapiro is among the team's notable technology experts. Michael Sheetz, who has experience in general commercial, trade secret and employment-related disputes, and experienced trial lawyer Adam Gershenson are both based in the Boston office, which was bolstered by the arrival of Shamis Beckley from McDermott Will & Emery LLP in November 2021. Other prominent practitioners are San Diego’s Michael Attanasio and Steve Strauss. Whitty Somvichian, Michael Rhodes and practice head Patrick Gunn are based in San Francisco.

Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - litigation and regulation Tier 3

A go-to adviser for aerospace manufacturers, Cooley LLP is consistently retained to act in accident litigation, including fatal air crashes and wrongful death claims. It is also sought out by freight carriers to serve as liability and emergency response counsel. Other notable areas include manned and unmanned flights, and airport-related disputes on behalf of airports and fixed-base operators. Practice head William O’Connor in San Diego is a highly rated trial lawyer, while Washington DC-based special counsel Parker Erkmann assists with aviation regulatory issues. Associate Andrew Barr in Denver also routinely acts in aviation suits.

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

Hailed for providing ‘tailor-made guidance’, Cooley LLP fields a comprehensive IP practice for major life sciences and technology clients, including Facebook, Microsoft, and Qualcomm, with a solid patent litigation practice which operates from Washington DC, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Reston, VA. Stephen Smith, the go-to advisor for several big names from the technology space, is in charge of steering the group. Heidi Keefe , ‘a great advocate and strategic adviser’ with a strong expertise in technology sector patent cases; Jonathan Davies, who specializes in pharma and biotechnology disputes; and experienced life sciences patent litigator Sanya Sukduang are among the main contacts. The practice, which demonstrates strength in all US patent venues, also includes Erik Milch, Adam Pivovar, Matthew Brigham and Jon Graves.

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

Cooley LLP advises celebrities and household name brands on clearance and enforcement matters related the management of their global trademark portfolios. In Washington DC, experienced partner Brendan Hughes heads the team, assisting clients across the tech, life sciences, telecoms and aerospace sectors. Based in the Los Angeles office, JP Oleksiuk and Bobby Ghajar both bring advertising and trademark counseling and prosecution expertise. Anne Peck, a founding trademark partner at the Palo Alto office, builds market expansion strategies for corporates in biopharmaceuticals and beverages. Washington DC-based special counsel Susan Christoff handles registration and protection actions for apparel and real estate companies.

Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech Tier 3

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 3

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense Tier 4

The white-collar defense and investigations team at Cooley LLP is led by Andrew Goldstein and continues to act for large international companies and high-profile individuals on fraud, bribery and corruption matters. Goldstein is a former federal prosecutor who has considerable experience in internal investigations, litigation and regulatory matters. In April 2021, Sonia Nath joined from the FDA and in July of the same year, Russell Capone joined in New York from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Elizabeth Prelogar left for the DOJ. Attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

Cooley LLP finds favor for its 'deep experience in commercial and investor-state disputes' as well as its 'expertise in the tech industry', leveraging its firm-wide strength to support its activity in the latter sphere. Life sciences is also a core specialism, and the group routinely advises on arbitrations arising from partnering deals and drug manufacturing agreements. Rachel Thorn is an 'excellent advocate, writer and cross-examiner' and steers the practice from New York; she is representing NASDAQ-listed Odyssey Marine Exploration in an investor-state arbitration against Mexico — demonstrating the group's broader appeal to non-tech and life sciences clients. Marc Suskin, also in New York, is held up by sources as 'the "go to" lawyer for tech arbitrations'.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 4

While also handling traditional product liability litigation, Cooley LLP‘s core strength lies in its pre-litigation and regulatory expertise on behalf of a range of innovative consumer and hi-tech clients. In this context, the firm can leverage the expertise of numerous lawyers with governmental expertise, including Sonia Nath, who joined in April 2021 from the US Food and Drug Administration, and Matt Howsare who ‘brings unparalleled practical experience and insight’ on product safety matters and in dealings with the CPSC – having himself formerly served as Chief of Staff at the agency. Based out of San Diego, William O’Connor  heads up the team and is noted for his trial skills across a range of consumer product litigation, as well as in the aviation sector. All named practitioners are based out of Washington DC unless otherwise indicated.  

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Cooley LLP‘s outstanding record in equity offerings has provided it with a solid platform for debt transactions, particularly investment grade and convertible debt offerings. The firm’s impressive client base of tech and life sciences businesses, brings it a steady flow of big-ticket engagements; it advised NVIDIA on its $5bn registered debt offering of aggregate principal amount of investment grade senior unsecured notes. Palo Alto’s Eric Jensen and San Francisco’s David Peinsipp are big names in the capital markets arena, along with debt finance specialists Michael Tollini in Washington DC, and Gian-Michele Marca and Jason Savich in San Francisco. The firm also gained Los Angeles-based debt and equity capital markets expert John-Paul Motley from O’Melveny & Myers in March 2022.

Finance > Capital markets: global offerings

Cooley LLP has an impressive record in representing issuers from Europe and Asia in their US offerings. Many of its clients are in the life sciences and tech sectors. It has worked on a series of Nasdaq IPOs for dual-listed European life sciences companies and has advised a number of Chinese issuers on their US offerings. In addition, it represented South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang  on its $4.55bn NYSE IPO. San Diego partner Charlie Kim is co-chair of the capital markets team alongside Dave Peinsipp in San Francisco, while Palo Alto’s Eric Jensen  and Boston partner Richard Segal are also prominent names in global offerings, along with Div Gupta and Eric Blanchard in New York.

Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) Tier 4

Cooley LLP is home to an ‘amazing’ practice which is able to attract significant players from the technology, agri-business and, especially, from the life sciences sectors, who seek out the firm's solid capabilities in patent prosecution work. The group headed by New York's Ivor Elrifi enjoys a solid level of activity nationwide thanks to is capabilities in other hubs such as Boston, Palo Alto, Washington DC and Reston, VA. The team also has proven expertise in PTAB invalidation proceedings. Mika Reiner Mayer (Palo Alto); Chris Holly (DC); and Bill Christiansen (Seattle) are other key contacts. The May 2021 arrival of life sciences expert Amy Mandragouras, formerly at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, in Boston strengthened the firm's East Coast presence.

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

Working collaboratively between departments, Cooley LLP litigates trade secrets cases for a diverse roster of technology and life sciences companies across the fields of ecommerce, automotive manufacturing, nutrition, and agri-tech. In New York, seasoned commercial litigator Ian Shapiro is noted for his versatile practice, while Joseph Drayton is a first-chair trial lawyer whose litigious experience encompasses internet, software, and communications sector matters. In Boston, Michael Sheetz and Adam Gershenson are both recommended for their track record representing various tech and life sciences companies. Based in San Diego, litigation chair Michael Attanasio defends businesses in bet-the-company disputes.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 4

Cooley LLP is widely recognized for its pre-eminence in the venture capital space, where the team advises a spectrum of diverse clients, ranging from established names such as Venrock and Lux Capital, to emerging fund managers. The practice operates as a truly nationwide fund formation offering; the firm’s reach stretches from the Palo Alto office – which fields practice head John Dado, as well as seasoned practitioners Shane Goudey and John Clendenin – to key locations, including Washington DC and Boston, on the east coast. The team is also noted for its expertise in advising market leading Asia-based venture capital firms; Jordan Silber leads on such work from the San Francisco office.

Real estate Tier 4

Cooley LLP is a prominent name in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC real estate market, demonstrated with its involvement on The Wharf mixed-use development. John Lavoie represents both institutional and individual landlords and tenants involved in major lease transactions, data center leasing and development and corporate headquarters projects, particularly around the Mid-Atlantic region. Michelle Garcia Schulman is another key partner for acquisitions, leasing and financing. Both individuals are based in Reston.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 5

Cooley LLP has strong specialisms in the technology and life sciences sectors, working with a wide range of growth and innovation clients on merger reviews for business-critical deals, as well as transactions relating to the rollout and development of new products, particularly within the life sciences space. Alongside routine filings, the team is noted for its ability to secure clearance for deals subject to intense regulatory scrutiny by US, European, and other global authorities. In a high-profile representation, the firm acted for Horizon Therapeutics before the FTC in its $3bn acquisition of Viela, a major win for practice head Jacqueline Grise, who has an outstanding record across merger clearances and investigations in the tech and pharma spaces. Howard Morse is known for his work in the tech, pharma, and telecoms industries, and regularly handles contested mergers, including associated litigation. Megan Browdie handles merger reviews and contentious proceedings on behalf of global technology companies, and also notably represented meditech client One Medical in its $2.1 billion acquisition of Iora. All lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 5

Michael Rhodes - Cooley LLP

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 5

Much of Cooley LLP‘s most notable work comes in the healthcare and life science sector. The department, which is  primarily spread across multiple California offices, regularly both lending banks and healthcare providers on acquisition financings, secured and unsecured credit facilities, structured financings and convertible note offerings. Primary San Francisco-based, Mishi a Marca ‘s practice spans lender and borrower representation, and recently included assisting 1Life Healthcare with a $75m  in relation to the $2.1bn acquisition. Michael Tollini, who co-leads the national team alongside Marca, is the key name in the Washington DC office.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 5

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 6

Cooley LLP’s sizeable tax group is noted for its significant national coverage and capabilities in big-ticket transactions, ranging from M&A deals to SPACs and public offerings. San Diego based-practice head Todd Gluth routinely works with a number of tech and life sciences companies on the tax aspects of multi-billion dollar deals, while in Los Angeles, Alexander Lee continues to develop his position as a SPAC specialist across the media, sports, consumer goods, healthcare arenas. In addition to her strong core transactional acumen, Washington DC-based Eileen Marshall is praised by clients for her niche expertise in convertible note offerings and tax integrated call spreads.

Tax > International tax

Cooley LLP provides international corporate tax advice to clients in the technology, life sciences, and media industries. The team’s experience ranges from tax-related matters concerning SPACs, M&A, and disposals to capital markets deals and fund formation. In Los Angeles, Alexander Lee advises on international tax aspects of IPOs, M&A, and disposals, while San Diego-based Todd Gluth focuses on tax work involving M&A in the technology and life sciences sectors. In the New York office Jeffrey Tolin is noted for advising charities and tax exempt organizations on tax matters related to M&A.