Mike Lincoln

Mike Lincoln is the vice chair of Cooley and works with the firm’s senior leadership team on matters of client relations, strategic planning, lateral growth and communications. His practice focuses on emerging companies, venture capital and mergers and acquisitions. In 1999, Mike co-founded Cooley's first East Coast office.

Mike is an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia School of Law where he teaches a course on emerging growth companies and venture capital.

Prior to attending law school, Mike served for three years as legislative assistant to Governor James R. Thompson. Prior to joining Cooley, he was a partner with Hunton & Williams in the Tysons Corner office and an associate with Latham & Watkins in the Washington, DC office.

Mike was named to Washington Life Magazine’s Tech 25 list in 2019, which celebrates DC metropolitan area locals leading the charge on national and global innovations. In 2022, the Washingtonian named Mike a top dealmaker in its Tech Titans list for the tenth consecutive time. Each year since 2015, the Washington Business Journal has included him on their Power 100 list which recognizes the region's most powerful business leaders. He was also named in the 2015 DCInno "50 on Fire" as a top local leader.

In 2007, the Washingtonian named Mike one of the Top 150 Most Powerful People in the Washington, DC area. In 2006, the Legal Times named him the top dealmaker in the Washington, DC area. From 2004 - 2008, the Washington Business Journal named him the top corporate finance attorney in the Washington, DC area or as a finalist. From 2005 - 2022, Mike was named as one of The Best Lawyers in America and was named Venture Capital Lawyer of the Year in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. For the last 20 years, Chambers USA  has named him to its list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business. From 2006 - 2016, he has been recognized as a Virginia Super Lawyer. SmartCEO magazine has also selected Mike as one of its SmartLawyers. In 2010, the Northern Virginia Technology Council presented Mike with its Navigator Award recognizing contributions to coaching entrepreneurs and emerging companies.

Mike serves on the board of the Focused Ultrasound Research Foundation, Mindshare, The Tewaaraton Foundation and the Greater Washington Regional Board of the UVA College Foundation and also serves on the Darden Venture Capital Advisory Council. He is the past co-chairman of the Medical Care for Children Partnership and is a member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. Mike previously served on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association, the Alumni Council of the University of Virginia School of Law, the Shenandoah National Park Foundation and helped form the founders of the Iranian American Technology Council. Mike served on the Building Committee of Vienna Presbyterian Church. He also serves as the co-manager of his class for the University of Virginia School of Law, and formerly served as a Commissioner on the Virginia Charitable Gaming Commission.

Mike is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar. He is not admitted to practice in New York.