2028 Summer Associate – Compensation & Benefits

Cooley • Boston, MA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Cooley LLP is recruiting 2L students (JD 2029) for its 2028 Summer Program in the Compensation & Benefits practice. The position is available in the Boston, Chicago, New York, Palo Alto, and Santa Monica offices. Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their interest in Compensation & Benefits, a resume, and an undergraduate transcript. A 1L law school transcript is also required, but may be submitted later if it is not available when applying. Applicants should apply to only one office.

The practice advises emerging growth companies, large public corporations, CEOs and other senior executives, boards of directors, individual directors, and employee benefit plan fiduciaries. Its work includes executive compensation and public disclosure under SEC rules; compensation plan design, drafting, and implementation; tax, securities, labor, and corporate governance matters; senior executive employment, severance, change-in-control, and indemnification arrangements; and golden parachute issues. The team also counsels clients on ERISA-governed retirement programs, top-hat plans, severance arrangements, ERISA plan asset regulations, health and welfare plans, and Affordable Care Act compliance. Projects may involve mergers and acquisitions, workforce reductions, equity incentive programs, foreign operations, and shareholder relations.

This is a summer associate position with expected compensation based on an annualized rate of $235,000 and semi-monthly base pay of $9,791.67, subject to payroll withholdings and deductions.

Requirements

• Be a 2L student (JD 2029).
• Submit a cover letter describing interest in Compensation & Benefits, a resume, and an undergraduate transcript; submit a 1L law school transcript, which may follow later if unavailable at application time.
• Apply to only one office.
• Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and professional excellence.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication abilities and strong legal research and writing skills.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and proven problem-solving skills.
• Show initiative, motivation, and a service-oriented mindset.
• Have meaningful prior work experience.
• Engage in extracurricular or leadership activities.
• Work effectively in team settings.
• Bring an entrepreneurial, business-minded perspective.
• Have interest and enthusiasm in the practice.

Responsibilities

• Work as a summer associate in Cooley's Compensation & Benefits practice.
• Contribute to legal matters involving executive compensation, employee benefits, retirement and health and welfare plans, and related regulatory issues.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed