It’s time to talk about “the other Cooley” for a little bit. You know, the one that’s a respected West Coast-headquarted Biglaw firm (with a very impressive life sciences practice) as opposed to the oft-mocked law school (with a #2 ranking in their own minds).
How can Cooley be a better place to work than offering its “Snooze or Cruise” perk? Well, how about some hefty bonuses? From some tipsters, it looks like Cooley delivered:
- “Cooley senior associate here. High hours, glowing reviews. Received a bonus well above ny market. I appreciate that the firm rewards those of us who want to go above and beyond. There’s nowhere I’d rather do it than Cooley.”
- “Cooley senior associate. Hours between 2000-2200 and solid reviews. Matched Cravath. Happy with the bonus.”
- “The bonus memo was fuzzier this year than ever – i.e., didn’t even include a copy of the NY bonus scale though it usually does. One midlevel colleague got Cravath but was a bit miffed after billing over 2200 hours and getting nothing above market.”
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It’s a pretty good sign when you’re disappointed with matching the market. Not like last year, when the firm had a few grumpy associates getting below market. Individualized bonuses always introduce some uncertainty, but based on our tips Cooley swapped its “market ceiling” approach for a “market floor” approach this year, and that’s good news for associates.
My advice: take your “Cruise” option and cash that check right now!
OK, that was a stupid ending because everyone gets direct deposit because we don’t live in the Dark Ages anymore. But take your “Cruise” option anyway, I guess.
Earlier: Associate Bonus Watch (2014): A West Coast Round-Up
Wilson Sonsini, WilmerHale, And Cooley Top New Life Sciences Law Firm Index