2028 Summer Associate – Debt Finance

Cooley•San Francisco, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Cooley LLP is recruiting 2L students (JD 2029) for its 2028 Summer Program in the Debt Finance practice. Summer associates may join the Boston, Chicago, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Monica, or Washington, DC office. Applicants must submit a cover letter describing their interest in Debt Finance, 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 Debt Finance practice represents debt and lease financing sources, including U.S. and international banks, business development companies, leasing companies, insurance companies, investment banks, commercial finance lenders, mezzanine investors, factors, and asset-based lenders. The practice also represents companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, and other investment funds seeking debt financing. The Venture Debt practice represents banks and non-bank funds investing in emerging companies that may lack a long history of profitability or revenue. The team draws on experience representing both sides of these transactions and considers factors affecting lending decisions beyond traditional financial analyses, including a company's investors, capital structure, prospects for future funding, intellectual property, and warrants. The Debt Securities practice assists issuers, underwriters and initial purchasers, institutional investors, and placement agents with debt securities transactions. Its work includes advising on debt instruments across industries and structuring registered public offerings, Rule 144A debt placements (including convertible and high-yield bonds), and traditional private placements, as well as counseling clients on alternative deal terms. 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.
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.
Submit a cover letter describing interest in Debt Finance, a resume, and an undergraduate transcript; a 1L law school transcript is required but may be submitted later if unavailable at application time.
Apply to only one office.