Women’s Initiative

Cooley’s Women's Initiative was created to attract, retain and mentor a strong network of women lawyers.

Women partners and associates are helping set the tone for what has become an exciting and encouraging working environment for women lawyers. Members of the Women's Initiative work together to develop initiatives throughout the year, including professional development programs, opportunities for mentoring and social events.

Our women are inspiring others to change the status quo and we couldn't be more proud to be at the forefront.

Shira Nadich Levin

Founder of Cooley Women's Initiative

Connection Circles

Women lawyers across the firm are engaged in Connection Circles, which facilitate mentorship opportunities within each Cooley office. This initiative came about as a result of feedback from our associates and relies heavily on the involvement of partners and senior associates to build and strengthen relationships among our women lawyers.

Committees

Cooley’s Women’s Initiative consists of two central committees to address relationship building, personal and professional development, and progress and accountability in support of our strategic DEI goals. 

The Representative Committee focuses on maintaining a welcoming and inclusive firm, while the Strategy Committee focuses on advancing efforts to recruit, retain and promote women in each office.

The diversity of opinion, personalities, ages, backgrounds and lifestyles is refreshing, welcoming and a key reason why we’re successful as a firm.

Cooley employee quoted in Fortune

Family Liaison Program

Cooley's Women's Initiative runs a Liaison Program for men and women taking a leave of absence exceeding four weeks. The liaison provides support leading up to the leave and serves as a primary contact during the leave. The liaison also helps to re-acclimate the lawyer following his or her return to work.

On Ramp Fellowship

Cooley was one of only four law firms to pilot a one-year fellowship program aimed at replenishing the talent pipeline in law firms with experienced women lawyers who have taken an extended hiatus from the practice of law.

Members