Cooley LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile
Cooley LLP Offices
THE GRACE BUILDING
1114 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK 10036-7798
NEW YORK
United States
- Go to...
- Rankings
- Firm Profile
- Main Contacts
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.Practice head(s):
Charlie Kim; David Peinsipp
Other key lawyers:
Eric Jensen; Jon Avina; Eric Blanchard; Div Gupta; Nicole Brookshire; Richard Segal; Yoon-jee Kim
Testimonials
‘The Cooley practice is unique in the level of experience, both in terms of number of deals and the longevity of its partners. The strong leadership from the partners’ group during a time of unparalleled activity differentiates Cooley.’
‘I have worked closely on multiple IPOs during the Covid-19 pandemic. Completing IPOs virtually over the last 2 years has presented many new challenges. The Cooley team has manoeuvred them exceptionally well, providing critical advice 24/7 as volumes increased dramatically. Despite the increase in volume and around the clock execution, the team’s commitment and judgment did not waver. I very much appreciate working with them as issuers counsel and IPOs and they are my go-to partners.
‘Exceptional team. Extremely knowledgeable in capital markets. Highly efficient and great to work with.’
‘Our engagement team led by Nicole Brookshire and Yoon-jee Kim were outstanding.’
Key clients
Allbirds
Confluent
Coupang
Cowen and Company LLC
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
C3.ai
Dutch Bros. Coffee
Freshworks
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
LegalZoom
Lyell Immunopharma
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
Olo
The Honest Company
Twilio
Uber
UiPath
Vor Biopharma
Xometry
Work highlights
- Advised the underwriters on the $1.1bn Nasdaq IPO of ContextLogic Inc, the operator of e-commerce platform Wish.
- Advised South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang on its $4.55bn NYSE IPO.
- Advised UiPath on its $1.54bn NYSE IPO.
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.Practice head(s):
Kay Chandler; Christian Plaza
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I have found the Cooley life sciences team to excel in providing practical legal advice. With such a large life sciences client base, they are able to draw on their extensive experience to tailor solutions and approaches.’
‘I have worked with Kay Chandler on numerous life sciences partnering transactions across a number of clients over the past 20 years and consider her to be an exceptional practitioner. She brings a vast depth of experience to the table, has a very pragmatic approach, and is an effective negotiator. I could not recommend her highly enough.’
Key clients
Five Prime
Prothena Corporation plc
Vaccibody AS
Artiva Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Ovid Therapeutics Inc.
Vir Biotechnology
Molecular Partners AG
HorizonTherapeutics plc
Senti Biosciences
Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc.
NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
RenalytixAI
Beam Therapeutics, Inc.
Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Work highlights
- Advised Five Prime Therapeutics on its $1.9 billion agreement to sell to Amgen.
- Advised Vaccibody on its exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement with Roche Group member Genentech for Neoantigen vaccine development.
- Represented Artiva in an exclusive worldwide collaboration and license agreement with Merck to develop novel chimeric antigen receptor-natural killer cell therapies.
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.Practice head(s):
Peter Werner; Matthew Bartus
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Great team and have been an extension to the business’
‘Responsiveness. Quality. Thoughtfulness.’
‘Stephane Levy continues to deliver best-in-class business-focused and pragmatic legal advice. No other firms I know of have the same ability to fit culturally and professionally with their clients.’
‘Stephane understands our company and our business inside out. He is highly knowledgeable about the industry and growth pains and challenges we are going through.’
‘The team has a deep knowledge and understanding of our industry. In addition, they are very experienced at the start-up stage our company is at. They are very proactive and timely in their response. A great business partner to a company that does not have in-house legal counsel.’
‘The partners and associates are strategic and take a business approach when advising.’
‘They have so much experience in early stage that they certainly know market terms, but also can help set them. They are available 24 x 7, and are genuinely devoted to our success. They help with items well beyond what I’d normally expect, and are always business-minded, focused on our goal. They are tough but fair, are conscious of billing and budgets. Really, they have been amazing partners and a big part of our story so far.’
‘Adam Dinow – he is more like an internal colleague at this point. I call him all the time for legal advice, but also navigating reputational and ethical issues. He is an encyclopedia of equity deal terms and investment matters, and has amazing working knowledge branching into securities, debt, contracts and other matters. Adam Alperowicz – joined at the hip with Adam D, Adam A is our other go to guy for corporate advice. He does a ton of our drafting and negotiating, and knows our corporate documents better than anyone.’
Key clients
Amount
Canapi Ventures
DailyPay
DataRobot
G2.com
IRL
Klaviyo
Lattice
Morning Consult
Norwest Venture Partners
Olive
Origin Materials
Pharmapacks
Ramp
Rappi
Sapphire Ventures
Socure
Thirty Madison
Thrasio
Work highlights
- Advised healthcare software company Olive on $400m and $225m financing rounds, and on its acquisition of Verata Health.
- Advised Rappi on its $500m Series F financing round, which brings its valuation to $5.25bn.
- Advised G2.com on its $157m Series D financing round, which brings its valuation to $1.1bn
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.Practice head(s):
Michael Rhodes
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Travis LeBlanc and Cooley’s team with broad experience provides business-focused counsel. With sound judgment, they bring maximum value and are open to coordinating with our internal legal team to help us manage spend.’
Key clients
Zoom Video Communications
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Uber Technologies
Netflix
Coinbase Global
FabFitFun
Goldman Sachs
Instacart
Grindr
Horizon Therapeutics
Intuit
First Data/Fiserv
Metromile
JP Morgan
Meredith Corporation
Foot Locker
Microsoft Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised Zoom on reaching a positive non-monetary settlement with the FTC, resolving its high-profile investigation into Zoom’s user privacy and security representations and practices. data.
- Represented Facebook in the largest privacy class action in US history and the first-ever class action filed under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.
- Represented an education tech company in a case concerning a 2018 data breach affecting 40 million user accounts, achieving one of the first and most favorable resolutions in one large mass arbitrations in US history.
Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 1
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.Practice head(s):
Patrick Gibbs
Other key lawyers:
John Dwyer; Koji Fukumura; Michael Tu
Testimonials
‘Cooley has excellent strengths with SEC litigation matters defense work. They have strong experience, know the issues and key players and provide very solid counsel/prep/support.’
‘Michael Tu and his team at Cooley stand out clearly as “best in class” in their space globally. The team takes the time to understand the people involved and fully understand the human dimensions as well as the often complex legal issues involved. Mikeand team are always very constructive and understanding around billing, taking into account the sometimes difficult position in which clients may find themselves.’
‘The firm leverages leading AI and this technology to be both more effective (for example, around searching massive data sets of documents or email) and to reduce billable hours. Mike Tu and his team also interface seamlessly with other advisers and counsel when necessary or value-accretive.’
‘Michael Tu and his team at Cooley fully understand both the legal issues as well as having a comprehensive understanding of the “human dimension” and issues that may present themselves and affect strategy and outcomes. Mike and team work with incredible attention to detail while maintaining a sense of urgency and take full “ownership” of key matters working as an invaluable partner with the client.
‘The team has also gone out of its way to help with introductions to other excellent advisors focusing on who would be best for the client. This may be an external advisor, even when there is an in-house Cooley option available.’
‘A very professional and reactive team.’
‘Creative in addition to being knowledgable on subject matter. Understands business objectives.’
‘Depth of understanding. Passionate representation.’
Key clients
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
Accelerated Assets
Arlo Technologies
Former Corporate Controller of Valeant Pharmaceuticals
Cloud Linux Software and Cloud Linux Holdings
GENFIT
Gilead Sciences
Innate Pharma
Meredith Corporation
Mindbody
NVIDIA
Orphazyme
Qualcomm
Stitch Fix
Tableau
The Honest Company
Verrica Pharmaceuticals
Zoom Video Communications
Work highlights
- Represented GENFIT in a securities class action that was voluntarily dismissed in Massachusetts state court and then dismissed with prejudice in New York state court.
- Represented Twitter Inc. and two of its former officers in a securities class action filed in 2016, which is among small number of securities class actions that completed discovery, moved past summary judgment, and came within three days of being tried.
- Represented NVIDIA in securing dismissal of a long-running investor class action in the Northern District of California filed against NVIDIA arising from a $25 billion loss in the company’s market capitalization over a three-month period in late 2018.
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Angela Dunning; Bobby Ghajar; JP Oleksiuk; Susan Christoff
Testimonials
‘The Cooley team is top-notch when it comes to: 1) technical expertise, 2) responsiveness, and 3) client interaction and collaboration is superior.’
‘Susan Christoff is a fantastic attorney who is very knowledgeable and very responsive. She is also personable and relates well to clients and collaborators. She is a problem solver!’
‘Cooley has a strong reputation in trademark litigation.’
‘Brendan Hughes and JP Oleksiuk are standouts in litigation.’
Key clients
Bluetooth SIG
The Boring Company
Anheuser-Busch
Charlotte’s Web
Gilead Sciences
Pabst Brewing Company
SpaceX
Tegna, Inc.
Plaid
Yelp!
Stride, Inc.
Movado Group
23andMe
Oncorus
Houzz Inc.
Work highlights
- Representing Google in ending a three-year case relating to whether the tech company could offer goods and services in the children’s content space after SM Kids sought to enforce rights in a 2008 settlement agreement between Google and SM Kids’ predecessor-in-interest, who allegedly owned prior rights in the GOOGLES trademark.
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.Practice head(s):
John Lavoie
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Amazing team of innovative, hard working and dedicated attorneys and planners that know how to get zonings approved.’
‘They know how to navigate the local processes, politics and bureaucracy better than their peers.’
Key clients
Peterson Companies
Boston Properties
Healthy Hound Playground
Pulte Home Company, LLC
Brookfield Properties
Retail Properties of America (RPAI)
Brambleton Group
IDI Group Companies
EYA
CloudHQ
Work highlights
- Advised Peterson on four projects within Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg, including three residential rezonings for more than 1,500 residential units and a commercial rezoning for approximately 500,000 square feet of commercial development.
- Represented Boston Properties, a public REIT, on development applications to extend the existing Reston Town Center south to the new Metrorail station that will open in 2022.
- Representing Healthy Hound Playground, a chain of dog care/kennel facilities, in connection with its expansion plans in Northern Virginia.
Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 3
Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - litigation and regulation Tier 3
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Stephen Smith and his team deliver best-in-class expert advice in the industry. He understands our company and its culture to provide tailor-made guidance to our patent litigation strategy.’
‘Great job on IPRs. Good strategic advice.’
‘Heidi Keefe is a great advocate and strategic adviser. She is experienced, confident, and not afraid to give you her unvarnished blunt opinion.’
Key clients
C3Nano
Content Square SAS
CSL Behring
Liquidia
SAIC
Box
CoolIT
Directed
Harpoon
Microsoft
Qualcomm
Snap
Tencent
Tesla
Walmart
Wyze
Alairion
Arvinas
BAI Intelligence LLC
Biolux Research Holdings, Inc.
Bloomberg
Bumble
DalCor Pharma UK
Flexion Therapeutics
JCyte Therapeutics
McMaster University
RenalytixAI
ServiceNow
Tivity Health
Usher III Initiative, Inc.
Work highlights
- Representing the University of Pennsylvania in a patent infringement action in the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Eli Lilly, ImClone and Bristol Myers Squibb.
- Defended Spin Master Corp. and its affiliates Spin Master Ltd. and Swimways Corporation in a lawsuit filed by Tai Matlin and James Waring in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and in two appeals to the Seventh Circuit.
- Defending Liquidia Technologies in an ongoing patent infringement matter brought by United Therapeutics Corporation based on Liquidia’s seeking FDA approval for a formulation of treprostinil to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 3
Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech Tier 3
Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 3
Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense Tier 4
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'.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team has deep experience in commercial and investor-state disputes, particularly in the areas of tech and life sciences. Other strengths lie in the firm’s expertise in the tech industry, where it has an unparalleled client base in the fields of tech and life sciences.’
‘Excellent communicators, who keep me updated about every step of the process.’
‘The team we have been exposed to comprises mainly of experienced partners, especially in the litigation field.’
‘The individuals at Cooley had very specific hands-on experience about our disputes. Especially Marc Suskin, who had previous experience with international disputes and arbitration.’
‘Rachel Thorn is an excellent advocate, writer and cross-examiner. Jason File is excellent. Very good working with witnesses and strategists.’
‘Marc Suskin is the “go to” lawyer for tech arbitrations. He has led several high-profile tech arbitrations in the past year, including some involving novel issues of mass arbitrations, where claims are brought by several individuals against tech companies and providers.’
‘Marc Suskin and Rachel Thorn are excellent strategists, focused on case details and the broader goal. They work to resolve disputes on a commercial basis, not necessarily taking cases all the way to trial.’
Key clients
Baymina Enerji, A.Ş. (subsidiary of Engie)
Bursel Tekstil Sanayi ve Diş Ticaret A.Ş
GENFIT SA
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Marsh & McLennan Companies
Odyssey Marine Exploration
Patheon
Tekfen-TML Joint Venture, Tekfen Construction, TML Construction
Vir Biotechnology
X4 Pharmaceuticals
Work highlights
- Representing Odyssey Marine Exploration in a UNCITRAL arbitration brought under Chapter 11 of NAFTA against Mexico.
- Representing Turkish construction companies Tekfen İnşaat ve Tesisat and TML İnşaat, and their joint venture, as claimants in an ICC arbitration against Libya and the Man-Made River Authority, pursuant to a construction contract.
- Representing Marsh & McLennan Companies in seven ICDR international employment arbitrations in connection with the acquisition of a specialty insurance firm, and the subsequent departure of several senior executives to a competitor.
Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 4
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.Practice head(s):
Gian-Michele Marca
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Accolade, Inc.
Alarm.com
Etsy, Inc.
Everbridge, Inc.
Fastly, Inc.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
NVIDIA
Rapid7, Inc.
Snap Inc.
Twilio Inc.
Uber Technologies, Inc.
Kadmon Holdings
Gamida Cell
MannKind Corporation
Cidara Therapeutics
Dynavax Technologies Corporation
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
Evercore Group LLC
Morgan Stanley & Co LLC
Work highlights
- Advised NVIDIA on its $5bn registered debt offering of aggregate principal amount of investment grade senior unsecured notes.
- Advised Snap on its $1.15bn private offering of aggregate principal amount of 0% convertible senior notes due 2027.
- Advised Uber on its $1.15bn offering of convertible senior notes due 2025.
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.Practice head(s):
Charlie Kim; Dave Peinsipp
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
21Vianet Group, Inc.
Ambrx Biopharma, Inc.
Coupang
Exscientia Plc
Gracell Biotechnologies Inc.
Immunocore Limited
LAVA Therapeutics B.V.
Molecular Partners
SimilarWeb
Valneva SE
VectivBio Holding AG
Cowen and Company LLC
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Morgan Stanley & Co.
Work highlights
- Advised South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang on its $4.55bn billion NYSE IPO, the largest Wall Street debut by a foreign company in seven years.
- Advised the underwriters on the $555m Nasdaq IPO of Canadian biotech company AbCellera.
- Advised 21Vianet, a Nasdaq-listed internet company based in Beijing, on its offering of $525m in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2026.
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The patent team at Cooley is amazing. They are scientists and deep subject matter experts that really ‘get it’ when it comes to what we as a company are trying to do and they are very strategic about making sure we get there.’
‘They feel like an extension of our team and that they are doing everything they can to help us with what we need, which is much appreciated and can be very unique to find in outside counsel.’
‘Chris Holly is an excellent partner who is wonderful to work with. He is very strategic and has mastery over how to navigate the patent laws to do everything possible to secure protection of our IP.’
‘The quality of work is outstanding and as a client I get access to the most brilliant minds of the whole team.’
‘Ivor Elrifi is outstanding and exceptional, very hardworking and extremely intelligent as well as brilliant.’
‘Cooley is a unique practice since they’re very client-friendly and patient. The quality of work is outstanding.’
‘Ivor Elrifi is outstanding and exceptional, very hardworking and extremely intelligent as well as brilliant.’
Key clients
Abeona Therapeutics
Arvinas
ATAI Life Sciences
AtriCure
BAI Intelligence LLC
C16 Biosciences
Compass Pathways Ltd
Demetrix
Dicerna Pharmaceuticals
ElevateBio
Intuity Medical
LocanaBio Inc.
McMaster University
Moderna
Myovant Sciences
Nobell Foods
OKYO Pharma
Pivot Bio
Provivi, Inc
RefleXion Medical
RenalytixAI
Resolve Therapeutics
Shoreline Biosciences
Upside Foods, Inc.
Vaxcyte
Zymergen
Work highlights
- Representing Moderna in the development of a worldwide patent portfolio relating to rna-based therapeutics, including patent prosecution and counseling matters in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Advised RenalytixAI on all patent counseling associated with its license agreement with Mount Sinai School of Medicine for the KidneyIntelX diagnostic, as well as strategic patent advice in connection with RenalytixAI’s IPO and follow on offerings.
- Advised Abeona Therapeutics on patent prosecution matters relating to AAV gene therapy and on an arbitration matter relating to breach of a license relating to AAV capsids.
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.Other key lawyers:
Ian Shapiro; Joseph Drayton; Michael Sheetz; Adam Gershenson; Michael Attanasio
Key clients
ChromaDex
Conventus Orthopedics Corporation
Javo beverage Company
Tesla
Thrasio
Upside Foods
Work highlights
- Representing Tesla in a trade secret competitor dispute against the electric truck maker Rivian.
- Representing Javo in a litigation with Javo’s former co-founder and executive, Stephen Corey and his new company, California Extraction Ventures, Inc (“CEV”) after a competitive sale process for Javo unraveled when CEV’s patent portfolio was uncovered during due diligence being conducted by strategic buyers looking to purchase Javo.
- Representing Thrasio against its competitor Boosted, alleging trade secret misappropriation.
Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 4
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.Practice head(s):
John Lavoie
Other key lawyers:
Michelle Schulman
Testimonials
‘My experience has solidly positive. Each counsel I’ve had the pleasure of working with has been a keen trusted business advocate for our company. They communicate well – often and concisely and are friendly and are of good character. They seem to be a higher tiered shop and certainly are able to leverage the newest technologies available today.’
Key clients
goPuff
Sherwood Tysons LLC – Koons Tysons
Falls Church, VA – West Falls / PN Hoffman
Tenable
Neustar
The Wharf / PN Hoffman
Leidos
Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.
Oncorus
AppHarvest
Work highlights
- Advised goPuff on the acquisition of BevMo’s real estate assets, which included 161 neighborhood stores located throughout California, Arizona and Washington.
- Representing Neustar in the 100,000 sf lease and headquarters relocation in Reston, VA, as well as multiple other sites in San Francisco, CA and Englewood, CO.
- Represented Leidos in its new lease of 100,000 RSF in Reston Town Center, an expansion of the current space, with Boston Properties, which is directly adjacent to their headquarters, alongside other ongoing matters.
Antitrust > Merger control Tier 5
Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 5
Michael Rhodes - Cooley LLPWork highlights
Finance > Commercial lending Tier 5
Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 5
Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 6
Employment >
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.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.
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.
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.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.
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. 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.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.
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.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.
Practice head(s):
TJ Graham
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Accolade, Inc.
Aircall.io
Deep Instinct
Freshworks
Instructure
InvestCloud
Paidy
sp0n, Inc.
UiPath
Verance
Zoom Video Communications
Work highlights
- Representing Deep Instinct in its commercial agreements, including with critical reseller partners and prominent clients.
- Advised Zoom Video Communications on its agreement to acquire Five9, a leading provider of the intelligent cloud contact center, in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $14.7 billion
- Advised UiPath on its acquisition of Cloud Elements, a pioneering API integration platform with a wide customer base, including leading companies like SAP, Capital One, DocuSign, iCIMS, FIS, Axway, PaySimple, TeamPay, Dun & Bradstreet, and Xerox.
Practice head(s):
Patrick Gunn
Other key lawyers:
Ian Shapiro; Michael Sheetz; Adam Gershenson; Shamis Beckley; Michael Attanasio; Steve Strauss; Whitty Somvichian; Michael Rhodes; Douglas Lobel
Testimonials
‘My experience working with Douglas Lobel and his team has been one where exceptional legal and procedural understanding is supplemented with a deep commercial understanding of the issues which the team work hard to get across and understand. The team is always prepared and works to agreed deadlines – a real partner – and requires minimal management. I trust them implicitly with business-critical dispute issues and it is always a pleasure to work with them.’
‘Michael Sheetz is not simply a litigator. He is a strong advisor who understands our business goals and how those goals may be affected by the dispute.’
‘Cooley’s lawyers are great with the small stuff, but don’t bother you with it. They just get it done.’
‘We selected Cooley as their blend of experience and specialism in complex international disputes and responsiveness to our initial enquiries stood out among the firms we approached. The depth of their international resource to advise on counter-litigation options in different jurisdictions was particularly helpful.’
‘It was a pleasure working with Ian Shapiro and his team. They worked hard, communicated really well and were very approachable and reliable throughout the dispute. They showed a deep understanding of the complex technical issues of the dispute and were very adept at handling the different interests and concerns of the diverse class of clients they were representing in defending the claim. I have no hesitation in recommending Ian to others.’
‘The team I have used is excellent. They are very familiar with the class action space and are very capable of identifying strategic opportunities, recommending best practices, and leveraging their experience to improve the quality of the work that they deliver. Relative to other firms in the space, their comprehensiveness and attention to detail is notable.’
‘Business-orientated solutions, creative thinking and practical advice. They understand a client’s risk tolerance as well as the fastest and most efficient path forward to settling issues.’
‘Adam Gershenson is an amazing attorney. Able to quickly problem solve beyond legal solutions and understands a client’s business.’
Key clients
Life House
Olo
Seat Geek
Thrasio
HelloFresh
Uber Technologies
University of Southern California
Conventus Orthopedics Corporation
Upside Foods
Tesla
Chicago Title Company
CenturyLink
ChromaDex
Hughes USA
Javo Beverages Co.
CenturyLink
Charles Schwab
Work highlights
- Achieved a significant victory on behalf of Google, obtaining dismissal of a nationwide class action complaint alleging that the background transmission of data from Android devices to Google over cellular networks constitutes a tortious conversion of Plaintiff’s cellular data plans.
- Represented CenturyLink, Inc. and ten subsidiaries in multidistrict consolidated class action alleging that CenturyLink generated illegal revenue by lying about its prices and overcharging its over 20 million customers.
- Representing Javo in highly complex litigation with Javo’s former co-founder and executive, Stephen Corey and his new company, California Extraction Ventures, Inc after a competitive sale process for Javo unraveled when CEV’s patent portfolio was uncovered during due diligence being conducted by strategic buyers looking to purchase Javo.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
MD Helicopters
Town of East Hampton
Textron
Universal Avionics
Work highlights
- Representing Textron and Textron Aviation in a fleet-wide dispute regarding the Cessna TTx aircraft.
- Represented the Town of East Hampton, which owns the East Hampton Airport, in legal and administrative proceedings arising from the use of airport revenues for legal fees.
- Representing MD Helicopters before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in relation to a helicopter crash in Washington’s Oso.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The Cooley team is top-notch when it comes to: 1) technical expertise (they know or find out the solution), 2) responsiveness, and 3) client interaction and collaboration is superior.’
‘Susan Christoff is a fantastic attorney who is very knowledgeable and very responsive. She is also personable and relates well to clients and collaborators. She is a problem-solver!’
Key clients
Gilead Sciences
Kamut International
Movado Group
Normatec Recovery
Pabst Brewing Company
Prosciento
Spin Master
Sweetgreen
USB Implementers Forum
Yelp!
Houzz Inc.
Anheuser-Busch
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘No other practice group can match the depth of international consumer product regulatory expertise.’
‘Matt Howsare brings unparalleled practical experience and insight, and is a leader among the international product safety community.’
Key clients
Textron
Practice head(s):
John Dado
Other key lawyers:
Jordan Silber; John Clendenin; Shane Goudey; Eric Doherty; Aaron Velli
Testimonials
‘I find the team to be helpful, engaging, and well informed on topics related to our industry. I have been pleased with the ability to maintain timelines and staffing on transactions even amid what is clearly a unique time for service providers in general (and legal firms specifically) in terms of volume of activity. I appreciate pleasant and detailed interactions with back office teams at Cooley as well.’
‘Eric Doherty is always willing to discuss various perspectives of relevant topics as it pertains to fund legal agreements/LP interactions. He is approachable, and comes through when needed on tight timelines.’
‘Cooley has simply consistently provided top quality service and counsel to us across the our various venture funds. We consult with them for our fund formation as well as private corporate financing. I can count on their experienced staff to help make informed, up to date decisions.’
Key clients
645 Ventures
Bonfire Ventures
Construct Capital
Define Ventures
FootPrint Coalition Ventures
Gaorong Capital
GIC
GGV Capital
Griffin Gaming Partners
Impact America Fund
Industry Ventures
Interlace Ventures
IVP
Lux Capital
Menlo Ventures
Norwest Venture Partners
RET Ventures
Owl Ventures
Venrock
Vision Ridge
Work highlights
- Advised GGV Capital on raising $2.52bn across four funds, which will focus on tech start-ups and growth deals in the US and China.
- Advised Lux Capital on the closing of two new funds at a total of $1.5bn, bringing the client’s total capital under management to more than $4bn.
- Advised IVP on the closing of its $1.8bn IVP XVII fund, bringing the client’s total committed capital to $8.7bn.
Practice head(s):
Jacqueline Grise
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Horizon Therapeutics
Baylis Medical
1Life Healthcare
Meredith Corporation
Intersect ENT
Sazerac
Meredith Corporation and Gray Television
ZOLL Medical
Google, LLC
Seagen
Work highlights
- Represented Horizon Therapeutics before the FTC on its agreement to acquire Viela Bio.
- Representing Baylis Medical before the FTC on its agreement to sell its cardiology business to Boston Scientific for an upfront payment of $1.75 billion.
- Represented Meredith Corporation in its sale to to Gray Television for $2.8 billion.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Goldstein
Other key lawyers:
Randall Lee; John Hemann; Kathleen Hartnett; Sonia Nath; Russell Capone; William Schwartz
Testimonials
‘Cooley brings a unique blend of expertise to each matter; in particular their national security expertise is second to none.’
‘Extremely commercial, practical and experienced.’
‘In particular, their pragmatic, common sense approach in the midst of a tsunami of legal details, interim deadlines and other complications is refreshing and hugely beneficial in crafting a way forward.’
‘William Schwartz is a unique blend of practical sounding board, legal tactician and experienced counselor.’
‘Completely unflappable and laser-focused on what the client needs at any given moment.’
‘William Schwartz is terrific when interacting with adversaries, employees, and senior decision makers.’
Key clients
Alter Landau
Chen Song
Work highlights
- Secured a victory for Chen Song, a neurologist who came to the US from China to conduct research at Stanford University; she was arrested last summer and faced charges of visa fraud, obstruction of justice, destruction of documents and providing false statements.
- Representing a prominent rabbi in the ultra-Orthodox community in upstate New York in a criminal case brought by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York concerning the alleged operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Practice head(s):
Todd Gluth
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘I feel like there’s no matter too complex for them to handle well. They are strong technically and practically, and extremely responsive. Importantly, they are just nice people to work with, and this should not be understated. For as much as we all have to work – long hours on complicated matters – that human element not only makes it more pleasant but I believe contributes to a stronger work product and end result. Cooley compares extremely well with other firms – I’d have no hesitation working with them on anything, and look forward to working together on many matters with them in the future.’
‘I’ve worked with Eileen Marshall on a number of deals – great experiences on all of them. Eileen is very strong technically, thoughtful, practical and business-oriented.’
Key clients
AppHarvest
Canoo
Core Scientific, Inc.
Cornerstone OnDemand
FinAccel
Gray Television, Inc.
The Honest Company
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
LegalZoom
Meredith Corporation
Sazerac
Shake Shack Inc.
Shamrock Capital Advisors LLC
Super Group
Thayer Ventures Acquisition Corporation
Vividion Therapeutics
WM Holding Co. LLC
Xos Trucks
Zoom Video Communications
Work highlights
- Represented LegalZoom in its IPO, providing pre-IPO tax structuring advice as well as tax advice for the $700m IPO process.
- Represented Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a $632.5m convertible note issuance, purchase of call options to hedge the conversion feature, and sale of warrants over Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ stock.
- Advised Indonesian digital credit platform FinAccel on its merger with VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings II (a SPAC), which required complex review of various tax consequences across numerous jurisdictions (Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam in particular) and application of U.S. tax planning.
Practice head(s):
Mischi a Marca; Michael Tollini
Other key lawyers:
Cynthia Bai
Testimonials
‘Incredibly knowledgeable team in all aspects of the legal process. Well versed in market standard practices. Very responsive.’
‘Cynthia Bai is the best lawyer I work with, bar none. She is quick to provide a strong legal opinion and works quickly through the issues. She is very well respected in the industry and has a great team that I choose work with whenever possible. She is also easy going and great to work with on a personal level.’
Key clients
1Life Healthcare, Inc.
NerdWallet, Inc.
Stitch Fix, Inc.
1Life Healthcare, Inc.
NerdWallet, Inc.
Stitch Fix, Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented 1Life Healthcare, Inc., as lender to Iora Health, Inc. in connection with 1Life’s agreement to acquire Iora for $2.1bn.
- Represented Stitch Fix in obtaining a $100m loan facility from Silicon Valley Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank and CitiBank.
- Represented NerdWallet on a $100m loan facility made available by Silicon Valley Bank, JPMorgan and HSBC.
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.Other key lawyers:
Alexander Lee; Todd Gluth; Jeff Tolin
Key clients
Baylis Medical
Canoo
FinAccel
GGV Capital
Horzon Therapeutics
Paidy
Merus NV
Shamrock Capital Advisors LLC
Super Group
Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc.
VelosBio
Vividion Therapeutics
Xos Trucks
Work highlights
- Advised Shamrock Capital on the tax aspects (including significant partnership tax planning) of the disposal of its stake in Mobilitie LLC to Australian group BAI Communications —backed by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).
- Advised Indonesian digital credit platform FinAccel on its merger with VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings II.
- Advised Super Group, a holding company for leading global online sports betting and gaming businesses Betway and Spin, on its agreement to merge with Sports Entertainment Acquisition Corp.
Guernsey > Employment >
Cooley LLP > Firm Profile
Cooley’s lawyers solve legal issues for entrepreneurs, investors, financial institutions and established public and private companies with an emphasis on tech, life sciences and other high-growth industries. Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation, where innovation meets the law. Cooley maintains an environment of inclusion and is proud to be recognized by Law360 as a “Best Law Firm for Minority Partners.” The firm has 1,200+ lawyers across 17 offices in the US, Asia and Europe.
Main areas of practice
Corporate: Key corporate strengths include capital markets, M&A, emerging and public companies, venture capital, tech transactions and life sciences corporate partnering and licensing. Cooley is continuously ranked as the most active law firm representing issuers and underwriters in IPOs in the life sciences and tech sectors. Cooley’s leadership in this area gives us deep industry-specific experience as corporate counsel to high-growth companies.
Litigation: Key litigation strengths include advertising, antitrust, appellate, arbitration, business restructuring, class actions, employment, insurance, IP litigation, ITC, life sciences and healthcare, patent, privacy and cybersecurity, product liability, regulatory, securities, tax, trademark and white-collar. Cooley’s global trial practice has won verdicts and awards worth billions of dollars and protected clients against competitors, consumers and regulators. The team includes five partners who are ACTL Fellows and 20+ former Assistant US Attorneys and Department of Justice lawyers. Cooley offers experience in 100+ state, federal and international courts, arbitral forums and administrative bodies.
Intellectual property: Cooley has one of the largest full-service IP practices of any law firm in the US that serves as IP counsel to 1,000+ companies across all industry sectors worldwide. Key strengths include IP litigation across all major venues; patent counseling and prosecution; trademark, copyright and advertising; and due diligence, licensing and strategic transactions. Notably, Cooley has one of the largest life sciences and medical device patent teams in the US. In 2020, the firm filed 5,000+ patent applications and 3,000 trademark applications globally for its clients. Cooley has also collectively led 1,000+ investor-side and company-side due diligence reviews in high-value deals and transactions.
Regulatory: Key strengths include antitrust and competition, communications, financial services, government contracts, insurance, healthcare, education, international trade, media and securities. Cooley has significant experience representing clients in investigations and matters involving the SEC, DOJ, FTC, FCC, ITC, DOD, DOE, EPA, NSC, EEOC, Treasury and other federal agencies.
Antitrust and competition: Providing a full range of counseling, litigation, agency representation and arbitration services, Cooley handles all aspects of antitrust/competition law and trade regulation matters for Fortune 500 corporations, as well as growing companies, in virtually every sector.
Capital markets: Cooley is the leading law firm for all US company-side IPOs since 2014 and VC-backed technology and healthcare and life sciences IPOs for the last 15+ years, according to Deal Point Data and IPO Vital Signs
respectively.
Cyber/data/privacy: Cooley’s cyber/data/privacy practice is a global team of lawyers focusing on all aspects of cyber, data protection and privacy. The firm represents clients across all industries, ranging from emerging to Fortune 500 companies, across the full spectrum of privacy and cyber-related issues. Cooley has successfully litigated a wide range of cases involving privacy and data breach issues, including class actions and government enforcement actions.
Emerging companies: Cooley represents 6,000+ private companies across all industries. Over the past decade, Cooley has represented thousands of technology, life sciences and other high-growth businesses with all aspects of their formation and development. The firm is involved in 1,300+ financings annually and is ranked as the #1 law firm representing VC-backed companies going public for the last decade.
Intellectual property litigation: Cooley’s IP litigators win cases across the US and UK in every conceivable forum and manner. They are experienced in all types of IP cases including patent, Section 337 investigations, trademark, trade dress, trade secret, copyright, false advertising, domain name and licensing matters. With nearly 600 IP cases in the last five years, including 500+ patent cases and 950+ trademark and copyright disputes worldwide, Cooley is widely acknowledged as one of the top IP litigation practices in the US.
Life sciences: With almost 1,800+ public and private life science company clients worldwide, Cooley is the leading deal firm across all aspects of corporate and transactional practices, including M&A, IPOs, financings and private equity work. Cooley represents almost 50% of the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index and is widely known as a best-in-class firm for handling corporate partnering and licensing transactions.
M&A: Since 2017, Cooley has handled 1,000+ M&A transactions, with an aggregate value of $375+ bn, making our practice one of the most active in the country, particularly for technology and life sciences companies.
Public companies: Cooley counsels public companies in high-stakes, complex business and litigation matters. Cooley represents 1,500+ public companies, and for 200+, serves as principal corporate governance and securities counsel. The team has extensive experience and familiarity with federal and state securities laws enabling us to be strategic advisors to seasoned and newly public companies.
Securities litigation: Cooley has one of the most active practices for the defense of issuers in shareholder litigation in the US. The firm’s securities litigation clients include a diverse range of businesses and individuals, including startups and Fortune 500 companies.
Fund formation: Cooley has been building funds globally for 60+ years and is counsel to 500+ investment fund organizations. The firm completed 370+ fund closings in 2020, raising over $34 bn in capital commitments. The team advises on every type of fund formation: venture capital, fund of funds, private equity, evergreen, growth equity and other managers at all stages and sizes, from individual angel funds to billion-dollar institutional funds.
Private equity: Cooley’s team has guided leading private equity sponsors in some of the market’s largest and most complex transactions.
Tax: The firm has a market reputation for innovative, tax-efficient structuring of business transactions and effective resolution of significant tax controversies.
Real estate: The team’s diverse capabilities allow us to explore all facets of real estate development and craft the best business-oriented solutions for its clients. Cooley assist owners, operators, developers, lenders, tenants, and institutional investors and advisors with a wide variety of real property and related capital markets transactions as well as litigation.
Technology transactions: The firm’s technology transactions team combines intellectual property and commercial transactions expertise, which enables them to meet the demands of a fast-evolving, increasingly global environment. Many of the firm’s lawyers have “in house” legal or business experience with technology companies; all dealmakers who have an aptitude for, and keen interest in, the technologies that help their clients thrive.
Compensation and benefits: Cooley’s compensation and benefits group addresses its clients’ needs to compensate, reward and protect their employees and other service providers. The firm brings together the ERISA, tax, corporate, labor and securities law skills necessary to deal effectively with the structuring and administration of its clients’ most complex compensation and benefit programs.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Corporate (capital markets, M&A, emerging companies, venture capital, tech transactions and life sciences, corporate partnering and licensing) | |||
Litigation (advertising, appellate, antitrust, class actions, employment, ITC, international arbitrations, patent, privacy, regulatory, securities, tax controversy, trademark and white-collar) |
Staff Figures
Number of Partners : 375+ Number of Other Fee-Earners : 1200+ Total Staff : 3,300+Other
Chairman & CEO : Joe Conroy Vice Chair : Michael Lincoln- Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings
- Industry focus > Healthcare: life sciences
- M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies
- Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)
- Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense
- Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation
- M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m)
- Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory
- Real estate > Land use/zoning
Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes
- Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - litigation and regulation
- Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage)
- Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing)
- Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech
- Tax > US taxes: contentious
- Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense
- Dispute resolution > International arbitration
- Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco)
- Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings
- Finance > Capital markets: global offerings
- Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings)
- Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters)
- Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital)
- Real estate
- Antitrust > Merger control
- Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers
- Finance > Commercial lending
- Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional
- Guernsey > Employment >