Cooley (UK) LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

‘Consultant John Brown is responsive, thorough and engaged, and with a good eye for pragmatism and strategy.’

‘I have been very impressed with the team, which is UK based with US expertise which works very well for European clients – being in the same time zone saves a lot of time. I am happy with the cross-functionality and feel like the firm gives us full back-up even if we are a new client.’

‘Deep expertise in this sector, understand the unique issues and excellent knowledge of current market practice.’

‘Excellent team with good understanding of life sciences.’

‘Nicola Maguire and her team have the perfect balance of broad experience and specialist knowledge of the life sciences industry.’

‘The level of knowledge within Europe and US is extraordinary and is standing out compared to competitors. The team also has a great foundation of global understadning of the sector and is well informed on upcoming changes in regulations and enforcement praxis.’

‘Efficient in their communication, no over extensive responses. Knows more about enforcement and praxis and not just the regulations in themselves, which is very important.’

‘This practice is unique in that it offers global coverage unlike many other firms, it is a one stop shop and uniquely qualified to handle a global supply chain / product distribution in multiple countries. No need to hire and manage multiple different firms in multiple different countries for the same matter or product.’

‘The individuals I work with stand out because of their diligence, no task will slip through the cracks or be delayed with this team.’

‘The Product Liability team are specialists in their field. They have a sound understanding of the legal issues and work collaboratively with their clients to reach commercially viable solutions thinking more broadly about other considerations outside of just the legal aspects.’

‘Rod Freeman is a leader in the field of product liability. He and Jamie Humphreys are mindful of the commercial considerations a business faces and are innovative in strategizing and take a creative approach when advising to address the multiple considerations a business is facing. They can also be relied upon to be proactive in flagging key legal developments that may impact the client to allow businesses the time to consider and react.’

‘The Cooley IT and telecoms team is collaborative, practical and have a wonderful approach to legal matters. They are very client-centric and really dive deep into understanding the business before they advise.’

‘The entire Cooley IT and Telecoms practice is run by a team of very knowledgeable, hard working and commercially astute lawyers who have a very good understanding of the client’s business and their key drivers. Their pragmatic approach is appreciated.’

‘Highly responsive, knowledgeable and easy to deal with. Lots of value added.’

‘Corina Demeter-Olive is a superstar! She came in at a crucial time and picked up everything incredibly quickly. She was extremely thorough as well as creative, and completely trustworthy. She is a life-saver! Her attention to detail and diligence are particularly appreciated.’

‘Chris Coulter speaks fluent client; he has an excellent approach to all matters, combining his acute attention to detail with his ability to grasp nuanced and gross commercial issues.’

‘Amy Collins is a very sharp lawyer who gives 110% in each matter she takes on. Not only is she technically strong, she has an excellent grasp on commercial issues and quickly becomes part of the client team.’

‘Amy Collins is an exceptional lawyer, commercially focused and quick to identify issues and provide workable solutions. She is great support during complex contractual negotiations, providing outstanding legal advice and fast responses.’

‘The team is incredibly business savvy and understands the market, the drivers and the movements probably better than any other firm. This really allows the firm to be more than just a “legal adviser” and to truly enable its clients.’

‘Ryan Naftulin – extremely strong at breaking down even the most complex matters so everyone can understand them. He has built up a world class team of partners and it’s amazing to work with him and the team.’

‘David Boles I find one of the best SEC-lawyers ever. He really cares about getting to know you and your needs as a client, which allows him to provide the best advice ever.’

‘Claire Keast-Butler is amazing on so many levels and such a strong leader.’

‘Cooley is a relative newcomer to the market, having opened an office in London in 2015, but is already working on many of the largest and most complex deals in the market. Most importantly Cooley’s approach to the market is different: Lawyers focus on building long-term relationships with founder led businesses.’

‘I have primarily worked with David Boles whom I have known for more than ten years. David is one of the leading US securities lawyers based in London and has advised on more US IPOs than any other US lawyer based in London. For many capital markets matters across Europe, David is my go-to person and trusted adviser.’

‘A solid team that always comes up with pragmatic solutions and is always responsive.’

‘David Boles is the best US ECM lawyer I have worked with and in particular his prospectus skills stands out.’

‘Their relevant experience in cross-border de-SPAC merger deals was a major advantage for us.’

‘Incredible work ethic, broad capabilities, deep bench.’

‘Michal Berkner is outstanding. Smart, can-do and entrepreneurial attitude. Always available, very commercial, and a pleasure to work with.’

‘In our opinion Ben Shribman is unique at this end of the market for his ability to provide market analysis and commercial insight alongside rock-solid legal advice We’ve used ten law firms over the years; Ben and his team are by far the best, and we don’t go anywhere else if we can possibly avoid it. He will be one of the most sought after lawyers in this space in a few years. Just hoping he will still want to work with us when the time comes!’

‘Cooley has a great M&A practice and is willing to assist with jump in at any time. In the last year when legal demands were stretched, I could rely on the Cooley team to assist our in house team with our needs. The work product was high quality and responsive to our needs.’

‘Justin Stock is my go-to M&A attorney in the UK. I find him very responsive and happy to assist with custom solutions for our unique problems. He is creative and always willing to assist.’

‘They really make sure they understand our business and our needs. They focus on what is important to us in our business while making sure the relevant legal risks are covered. They really seem to be a true team working seamlessly across geographies.’

‘We have worked with Justin Stock for years and he is an invaluable part of our team and contribution to our success. Most of the partners we worked with at the firm were not only clearly experts in their fields, giving us immediate confidence, but were also nice people. This is really helpful when working long hours. The clear message we received from them is “we are here for you”. They want to be business partners of ours not just legal advisers.’

‘Expert, experienced in venture and growth equity investment rounds – they just know the business’

‘Ben Shribman – skilled, expert, calm and accommodating. A pleasure to work with.’

‘Very innovative and solution-focused’

‘Ben Shribman is excellent – very commercial, solution-focused and high attention to detail.’

‘The team has a strong understanding of the life cycle of emerging companies.’

‘They handle matters very smoothly and generally proportionately.’

‘The incredibly responsive Ryan Naftulin has an unparalleled understanding of the UK and US fundraising and company building process.’

‘Nicola Squire is a trusted adviser to our business. Nicola has advised us on a range of complex issues, and we have been impressed with her ability to deliver outside the box solutions. Nicola is exceptionally responsive and has always made herself available to meet tight deadlines. We highly value her pragmatic and commercially focused advice.’ 

‘Our company has a presence in the UK and US, and Paula Holland and her team at Cooley LLP in London have always been there for us and provided great advice in helping us structure the UK elements of our share schemes. They have deep experience, which has helped us evaluate and deliver awards to UK staff. We use Cooley for a broad variety of matters in both the UK and US and having Paula and her team as a ready resource on share schemes leads to meaningful efficiencies in terms of integrating with other Cooley subject matter attorneys, beyond benefitting from her team’s knowledge and experience.’ 

‘Paula Holland has deep knowledge and experience in the technical and tax aspects of share schemes, as well as a good handle on current market practices. She is a pleasure to work with and is very accessible.’ 

‘Nicola Squire is all the things I would want from a lawyer – approachable, available, knowledgeable, commercial and able to have a sensible discussion on pricing. I was able to talk with Nicola at my level and she was able to engage me in a way that showed she understood the in-house obstacles that I had to work with.’ 

‘Nicola and the team have a true global outreach and have been able to support on complex cross border equity issues. They also have a very pragmatic ability to give advice tailored to the business, which in a highly regulated equity ecosystem I think stands them out from their peers.’ 

‘Paula Holland and Nicola Squire in the Cooley compensation and benefits team bring top-notch, cross-border perspective to sensitive and complicated topics on employee compensation matters. I know that I am getting the most sophisticated, up-to-date advice on market practice. Their detailed knowledge of the technology and biotechnology sectors, in particular, is superlative as is their ability to marshal Cooley’s cross-border capabilities for the client’s benefit.’ 

‘Paula Holland took the time to understand our needs, review our current practices, and provide advice on what changes were necessary to implement a new world-wide stock option programme for the company. She is well experienced and very responsive to our requests. When she did not have expertise on a specific justification, she was able to effectively use her network to get the right information. I found Paula to be an excellent business partner.’ 

‘Special mention for Nicola Squire. I am regularly impressed by her intimate knowledge of our company, recollections of decisions and events that took place months or years ago, and the integrity of her advice.’ 

‘Tom Epps is partner in charge of criminal and white collar work. We have worked together for many years and I welcome any case he instructs me in. He has a great reputation in London and has a wealth of experience.’

‘Marie Kavanagh is still an associate but it will be only a matter of time before she is made partner. She always has any case at her fingertips and her drafting skills leave nothing to be desired.’

‘Tom Epps has assembled a hand-picked, high-class, bespoke team, which is outstanding in this field.’

‘Tom Epps is the man you want to head your team. He thinks through every case, putting him three moves ahead of his adversaries. He is an excellent leader, being both approachable, wise and highly organised. Above all, he is one of the very best lawyers in London.’

‘An engaged, knowledgeable team that thinks strategically whilst acting tactically.’

‘Tom Epps is an outstanding advisor with a firm grasp of what it takes to achieve a successful outcome.’

‘Very friendly and affable team.’

‘Highly competent and thorough. Extensive knowledge of investigative processes and excellent follow thru.’

‘Cooley’s insurance and reinsurance litigation team have vast experience and knowledge of insurance and reinsurance litigation and the markets, and real strength in depth. All of the members of the team whom I have worked with on cases have been first-rate and a pleasure to work with.’

‘David Kendall is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable insurance and reinsurance lawyers in London. What he doesn’t know about insurance and reinsurance isn’t worth knowing!’

‘Richard Hopley also stands out for his vast experience of insurance and reinsurance litigation and his ability to master complex and difficult cases.’

‘Practical, commercial advice’

‘Natasha Kaye – gets to the heart of the issue.’

‘Natasha Kaye is excellent – super responsive, easy to deal with, great technical and commercial knowledge.’

‘Very responsive and specialists in their field. Work in a collaborative way with their clients and have a commercial perspective on matters.’

‘Proper specialists in life sciences. A clear leader in that critical and growing sector.’

‘Sascha Grimm has the expertise and commercial insights to work collaboratively with the in-house legal teams to manage litigation, mitigating the risks for the business and identifying commercially viable solutions.’

‘Laurence Harris – a brilliant, seasoned litigator. Fantastic judgment. Knows what is important and what is not and makes sure to deliver the important.’

‘The team has strong knowledge of the pharmaceuticals/life science sector.’

‘Laurence Harris – very intelligent partner, quick to make judgments.’

‘Sascha Grimm – very clever, good scientific and industry understanding.’

‘Super experienced and knowledgeable, extremely well connected in the market, business focused, and super flexible to organise support.’

‘Yulia Makarova in particular had very in-depth regulatory and fintech knowledge that helped shape our corporate strategy.’

‘Not only does Yulia Makarova provide informed, nuanced, and practical advice, but she does so with little notice on tight timelines.’

‘Cooley offers very practical advice.’

‘The level of responsiveness and the implied care resulting from the immediacy of the response creates a sense of importance that’s reassuring and valuable.’

‘The smooth connectivity between the different members of the team and the strong client service culture that underpins their collaborative approach means that there is never a sense of being passed off between individuals.’

‘Cooley LLP’s London insurance team stands out from its competitors due to the breadth and depth of knowledge and experience, and familiarity with the insurance market, across the whole team.’

‘David Kendall is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable insurance and reinsurance lawyers in London. What he doesn’t know about insurance and reinsurance isn’t worth knowing!’

‘Richard Hopley stands out for his vast experience of insurance and reinsurance litigation and his ability to master complex and difficult cases.’