Cooley LLP
Encyclopedia
Cooley LLP is a law firm that represents entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and emerging growth companies in major technology fields. The 650-attorney firm is headquartered in Silicon Valley
's Palo Alto with offices in other major technology hubs around the country.
In 1959, the firm formed Draper, Gaither and Anderson, the first institutional venture capital limited partnership in the nation. Also in the 1950s, Cooley formed Raychem
and National Semiconductor
, one of the original chip companies that gave "Silicon Valley" its name. In the 1980s, Cooley took both Genentech
and Amgen
public.
Cooley represented over 230 companies in public offerings during the 1990s, raising more than $25 billion.
Like most Silicon Valley-based law firms, Cooley was hit hard by the bursting of the Internet bubble and had to institute multiple reductions across its workforce. The firm was for a time hindered in size and reputation by the lay-offs, but in 2005 the firm was named to The American Lawyer's 2005 “A List,” the publication’s annual ranking of “the best of the best” among the nation's top law firms.
Cooley is an early participant in Legal OnRamp
, the Wiki/Facebook of Law developed by Cisco and other leading companies and law firms.
The firm welcomed a group of 15 partners from the disbanding San Francisco law firm Heller Ehrman
in 2008, including many lawyers in the Venture Law Group (VLG) practice of Heller involved in representation of venture capitalists and emerging companies.
In addition, Cooley also has a large life science practice, with more life science VC deals since 2002 (Venture Capital Analyst) and life science IPOs since 2002 (IPO Vital Signs) than any other law firm. The firm has represented nearly 30 percent of the companies on the NASDAQ Biotechnology and BioCentury 100 Indices and more than half of the companies on the AMEX Biotech Index.
Cooley is often ranked among the top law firms for attorney satisfaction and pro bono work. In 2007, the firm was ranked #5 on the Vault's Best 20 Firms to Work For list.
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
's Palo Alto with offices in other major technology hubs around the country.
History
In 1920, Arthur Cooley and Louis Crowley started a law partnership in the Humboldt Bank building in San Francisco. For many years, the firm was known as Cooley, Crowley, Gaither, Godward, Castro & Huddleson. In 1972, the firm became Cooley, Godward, Castro, Huddleson & Tatum; in 1996, Cooley Godward. On October 1, 2006, Cooley Godward LLP merged with New York law firm Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman LLP, a 110-lawyer litigation boutique focused on bankruptcy, tax, and complex commercial litigation to create the new Cooley Godward Kronish LLP.In 1959, the firm formed Draper, Gaither and Anderson, the first institutional venture capital limited partnership in the nation. Also in the 1950s, Cooley formed Raychem
Raychem
Raychem Corporation was founded in Menlo Park/Redwood City, California in 1957 by Paul Cook, James B. Meikle, and Richard W. Muchmore. The original name of the company was RayTherm Wire and Cable and later formed a subsidiary named RayClad Tubes. The company changed names to avoid confusion with...
and National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor was an American semiconductor manufacturer, that specialized in analog devices and subsystems,formerly headquartered in Santa Clara, California, USA. The products of National Semiconductor included power management circuits, display drivers, audio and operational amplifiers,...
, one of the original chip companies that gave "Silicon Valley" its name. In the 1980s, Cooley took both Genentech
Genentech
Genentech Inc., or Genetic Engineering Technology, Inc., is a biotechnology corporation, founded in 1976 by venture capitalist Robert A. Swanson and biochemist Dr. Herbert Boyer. Trailing the founding of Cetus by five years, it was an important step in the evolution of the biotechnology industry...
and Amgen
Amgen
Amgen Inc. is an international biotechnology company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. Located in the Conejo Valley, Amgen is the world's largest independent biotech firm. The company employs approximately 17,000 staff members. Its products include Epogen, Aranesp, Enbrel, Kineret,...
public.
Cooley represented over 230 companies in public offerings during the 1990s, raising more than $25 billion.
Like most Silicon Valley-based law firms, Cooley was hit hard by the bursting of the Internet bubble and had to institute multiple reductions across its workforce. The firm was for a time hindered in size and reputation by the lay-offs, but in 2005 the firm was named to The American Lawyer's 2005 “A List,” the publication’s annual ranking of “the best of the best” among the nation's top law firms.
Cooley is an early participant in Legal OnRamp
Legal OnRamp
Legal OnRamp is a Web 2.0 Collaboration platform for lawyers, which enables attorneys, whether in-house counsel or private practitioners, to connect and share information virtually...
, the Wiki/Facebook of Law developed by Cisco and other leading companies and law firms.
The firm welcomed a group of 15 partners from the disbanding San Francisco law firm Heller Ehrman
Heller Ehrman
Heller Ehrman LLP was an international law firm of more than 730 attorneys in 15 offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Heller Ehrman was founded in San Francisco in 1890 and had additional offices located in most of the major financial centers around the world including New York City, Los...
in 2008, including many lawyers in the Venture Law Group (VLG) practice of Heller involved in representation of venture capitalists and emerging companies.
Current business focus
Today Cooley handles venture capital, public securities, mergers & acquisitions and licensing work. They also focus on intellectual property and complex litigation. The firm represents emerging companies, ranking #2 nationally in company-side IPOs from 2000 through 2005 (IPO Vital Signs). Cooley's clients include:- Adobe SystemsAdobe SystemsAdobe Systems Incorporated is an American computer software company founded in 1982 and headquartered in San Jose, California, United States...
- Agilent TechnologiesAgilent TechnologiesAgilent Technologies , or Agilent, is a company that designs and manufactures electronic and bio-analytical measurement instruments and equipment for measurement and evaluation...
- Applied MaterialsApplied MaterialsApplied Materials, Inc. is a capital equipment producer serving the semiconductor, TFT LCD display, Glass, WEB and solar manufacturing industries....
- Cisco SystemsCisco SystemsCisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, that designs and sells consumer electronics, networking, voice, and communications technology and services. Cisco has more than 70,000 employees and annual revenue of US$...
- eBayEBayeBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
- Gateway, Inc.Gateway, Inc.Gateway Computer Corporation, is a computer hardware company headquartered in Irvine, California, USA which develops, manufactures, supports, and markets a wide range of personal computers, computer monitors, servers, and computer accessories...
- McAfeeMcAfeeMcAfee, Inc. is a computer security company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, USA. It markets software and services to home users, businesses and the public sector. On August 19, 2010, electronics company Intel agreed to purchase McAfee for $7.68 billion...
- NvidiaNVIDIANvidia is an American global technology company based in Santa Clara, California. Nvidia is best known for its graphics processors . Nvidia and chief rival AMD Graphics Techonologies have dominated the high performance GPU market, pushing other manufacturers to smaller, niche roles...
- QualcommQualcommQualcomm is an American global telecommunication corporation that designs, manufactures and markets digital wireless telecommunications products and services based on its code division multiple access technology and other technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, USA...
- Quest SoftwareQuest SoftwareQuest Software is a computer software manufacturer headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California. Founded in 1987, Quest develops, manufactures and supports software used by Information Technology professionals in a variety of industries...
- Siebel SystemsSiebel SystemsSiebel CRM Systems, Inc. was a software company principally engaged in the design, development, marketing, and support of customer relationship management applications. The company was founded by Thomas Siebel in 1993. At first known mainly for its sales force automation products, the company...
(acquired by Oracle CorporationOracle CorporationOracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
) - TiVoTiVoTiVo is a digital video recorder developed and marketed by TiVo, Inc. and introduced in 1999. TiVo provides an on-screen guide of scheduled broadcast programming television programs, whose features include "Season Pass" schedules which record every new episode of a series, and "WishList"...
In addition, Cooley also has a large life science practice, with more life science VC deals since 2002 (Venture Capital Analyst) and life science IPOs since 2002 (IPO Vital Signs) than any other law firm. The firm has represented nearly 30 percent of the companies on the NASDAQ Biotechnology and BioCentury 100 Indices and more than half of the companies on the AMEX Biotech Index.
Cooley is often ranked among the top law firms for attorney satisfaction and pro bono work. In 2007, the firm was ranked #5 on the Vault's Best 20 Firms to Work For list.
Offices
- Boston, MA
- Broomfield, CO
- Palo Alto, CA
- New York, NY
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Reston, VA
- Washington, D.C.
Notable lawyers & alumni
- Roger J. TraynorRoger J. TraynorRoger John Traynor served as the 23rd Chief Justice of California from 1964 to 1970, and as an Associate Justice from 1940 to 1964...
, former chief justice of the Supreme Court of CaliforniaSupreme Court of CaliforniaThe Supreme Court of California is the highest state court in California. It is headquartered in San Francisco and regularly holds sessions in Los Angeles and Sacramento. Its decisions are binding on all other California state courts.-Composition:...