2028 Summer Associate – Compensation & Benefits

Cooley • Palo Alto, CA

4d

About The Position

Cooley LLP is recruiting 2L students (JD 2029) for its 2028 Summer Program in the Compensation & Benefits practice. 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 1L law school transcript is also required, but may be submitted later if unavailable when applying. Applicants should apply to only one office.

The Compensation & Benefits practice advises emerging growth companies, large public corporations, 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 and implementation; employment, severance, change-in-control, and indemnification arrangements; retirement programs subject to ERISA; plan asset matters; and health and welfare plans, including Affordable Care Act compliance. The practice also advises on compensation and employee benefits matters arising from mergers and acquisitions, workforce reductions, equity incentive programs, foreign operations, 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 2L student in the JD 2029 class.
• Submit a cover letter describing interest in Compensation & Benefits, a resume, and an undergraduate transcript.
• Submit a 1L law school transcript; it may be provided later if it is unavailable at the time of application.
• 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 and bring an entrepreneurial, business-minded perspective.
• Have interest and enthusiasm for the Compensation & Benefits practice.

Responsibilities

• Work as a summer associate in Cooley LLP’s Compensation & Benefits practice.
• Support legal work involving executive compensation, compensation plans, employment and severance arrangements, retirement and health and welfare plans, ERISA, and related regulatory and compliance matters.

What This Job Offers

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