2028 Summer Associate – Compensation & Benefits

Cooley • Chicago, IL

4d • $235,000 - $235,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Cooley LLP is recruiting second-year law students (JD 2029) to join its Compensation & Benefits practice for the 2028 Summer Program. Positions are 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 first-year law school transcript is also required, but may be submitted later if unavailable at the time of application. Applicants should apply to only one office.

The Compensation & Benefits practice advises clients ranging from emerging growth companies to large public corporations, as well as CEOs, senior management, boards, directors, and employee benefit plan fiduciaries. The practice handles executive compensation, SEC disclosure, compensation plan design and implementation, employment and severance arrangements, retirement programs subject to ERISA, and health and welfare plans, among other matters. The work includes advising employers on benefits issues arising from mergers and acquisitions, workforce reductions, equity incentive programs, international expansion, and shareholder relations.

The expected salary is based on an annualized rate of $235,000, with semi-monthly base pay of $9,791.67, subject to payroll withholdings and deductions.

Requirements

• Be a second-year law student (JD 2029) applying for the 2028 Summer Program.
• Submit a cover letter describing interest in Compensation & Benefits, a resume, and an undergraduate transcript; submit a first-year law school transcript, which may follow if unavailable at application time.
• Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and professional excellence.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Have 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 an essential interest and enthusiasm in the practice.
• Apply to only one office.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on executive compensation, including public disclosure under SEC rules and institutional shareholder and proxy advisory firm concerns.
• Design, draft, and implement compensation plans and programs.
• Advise on tax, securities law, labor, and corporate governance aspects of compensation programs and policies.
• Formulate and negotiate senior executive employment, severance, change-in-control, and indemnification arrangements, including golden parachute matters.
• Counsel clients on tax-qualified retirement programs subject to ERISA and exempt programs such as top-hat plans and severance arrangements.
• Advise investment fund clients on ERISA plan asset regulations.
• Assist clients with establishing health and welfare plans and navigating related regulatory requirements, including Affordable Care Act compliance.
• Work on employer projects involving benefits issues in mergers and acquisitions, workforce reductions, equity incentive programs, foreign operations, and shareholder relations.

What This Job Offers

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