Cooley

DIVERSITY

Diversity is embedded in Cooley’s culture. We are dedicated to maintaining a truly diverse workplace that values and celebrates differences.

Our commitment includes active and creative partnerships with clients and in local and national minority law organizations, diversity pipeline projects, law school diversity programs and community outreach.

True workplace diversity means offering all employees the tools, training and mentoring they need to succeed. It means embracing the importance of diversity on our client teams. It looks beyond our four walls, fostering community involvement and participation in local and national diversity initiatives. It means leading by example in our profession.

Affinity Groups

Cooley's affinity groups are open to everyone and were formed by Cooley lawyers to be a forum and resource for support and awareness within the firm. The groups work to enhance recruiting, retention, training and promotion initiatives; sponsor professional and business development programs; and identify client and community partnering opportunities. Cooley's affinity groups include:

Attracting, mentoring and retaining exceptional people from as many backgrounds as possible is incredibly important to us. We know we have a way to go, but we're on a journey and it is one we are committed to. — DeAnna Allen, partner and Diversity Committee co-chair

Diversity Fellowship Program

In our dedication to a truly diverse workplace that values and celebrates differences, we offer diversity fellowships to outstanding first year law students.

Award recipients will receive a paid 1L summer associate position and an award of up to $30,000 to assist with law school tuition.

Learn more

Fortune

Best Companies to Work ForBest Workplaces for WomenBest Workplaces for FlexibilityBest Workplaces for Parents

Working Mother Magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers

Best Law Firms for Women

Law360

100 Best Law Firms for Minority Attorneys50 Best Law Firms for WomenTop 25 Law Firms for Asian-Americans

MultiCultural Law Magazine

Top 100 Law Firms for WomenTop 50 Law Firms for PartnersTop 25 Law Firms for Asian-Americans

Human Rights Campaign

Perfect score on Corporate Equality Index

Women in Law Empowerment Forum

Gold Standard Certification

The American Lawyer

Consistently ranked on Diversity Scorecard

Cooley's Diversity Awareness Month

Diversity Awareness Month is when we celebrate our unique qualities as individuals and promote greater awareness and understanding of how diversity makes us a stronger organization. The month provides us an opportunity to share information about our diversity initiatives, celebrate the progress we have made and think about how we can continue to make Cooley an inclusive and welcoming place to work.

Throughout the month, each of our offices hosts a variety of events to recognize and celebrate our diverse perspectives.

Diversity Committee

DeAnna Allen Partner, Washington, DC

Frank Pietrantonio Partner in Charge - Reston

Amie Santos Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Washington, DC

Melika Adams Associate, Los Angeles

Mazda Antia Partner, San Diego

Luke Cadigan Partner, Boston

Reuben Chen Partner, Palo Alto

Joseph Drayton Partner, New York

Thomas Hadid Associate, Los Angeles

Janiece Jenkins Associate, Seattle

Jennifer Lerner Associate, New York

Mei Li Associate, Palo Alto

Joshua Mates Partner, San Francisco

Laura Medina Partner, Colorado

Beatriz Mejia Partner, San Francisco

Joseph Mensah Associate, San Diego

Dana Moss Associate, Washington, DC

Kimberly Nguyen Associate, Reston

Rama Padmanabhan Partner, San Diego

Kathlyn Querubin Associate, San Francisco

John Robertson Partner in Charge - Seattle

Leo Spicer-Phelps Associate, London

Michelle Garcia Schulman Partner, Reston

Rebecca Teterud Associate, Colorado

Ann Bevitt Partner, London

Michael Tuscan Partner in Charge - Washington, DC

Jessica Valenzuela Santamaria Partner, Palo Alto

Mark Woodroffe Associate, Boston

Christina Zhang Partner in Charge - Shanghai

Women's Initiative

Cooley's Women's Initiative was created to attract, retain and mentor a strong network of women lawyers.

We provide women at Cooley with the tools necessary to achieve professional success and personal fulfillment through counseling, professional development and networking. See Women's Initiative Committee members here.

Kay Chandler Partner, San Diego

Shira Nadich Levin Partner, New York

Our women are inspiring others to change the status quo and we couldn't be more proud to be at the forefront. — Shira Nadich Levin, co-chair and founder of Cooley’s Women’s Initiative

Connection Circles

Women lawyers across the firm are engaged in Connection Circles, which facilitate mentorship opportunities within each Cooley office. This initiative came about as a result of feedback from our associates and relies heavily on the involvement of partners and senior associates to build and strengthen relationships among our women lawyers.

Women in Law Hackathon

Co-chair of Cooley’s Women Initiative, Kay Chandler, represented Cooley in the first-ever Women in Law Hackathon, a “Shark Tank”–style pitch competition.

Nine teams made up of male and female partners at US law firms worked together to devise innovative projects and initiatives to boost the advancement and retention of experienced women lawyers in law firms.

Family Liaison Program

Cooley's Women's Initiative runs a Liaison Program for men and women taking a leave of absence exceeding four weeks. The liaison provides support leading up to the leave and serves as a primary contact during the leave. The liaison also helps to re-acclimate the lawyer following his or her return to work.

For me, the greatest benefit of Cooley's Women's Initiative has been the connections I have made with other Cooley women at these events and the relationships that have developed from having the opportunity to spend time with women who have since become mentors, friends and professional resources.— Richelle Kalnit, associate

On Ramp Fellowship

Cooley was one of only four law firms to pilot a one-year fellowship program aimed at replenishing the talent pipeline in law firms with experienced women lawyers who have taken an extended hiatus from the practice of law.

Cooley continues to actively participate in the national program.