Cooley Delays Start of its Summer Associate Program Due to Virus

Cooley has delayed the start of its summer associate program to mid-June over concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Palo Alto, Calif.-based firm’s programs were scheduled to begin in May. However, in light of concerns over the safety of its 102 summer associates, the firm has delayed the start of the program to June 15. The end date for the program will still be July 24th.

“The firm places paramount importance on the health and safety of its people, clients and communities,” a spokewoman for Cooley said in a statement to Bloomberg Law. “We are confident that, even with a six-week schedule, our summer associates will benefit from high-quality assignments and be able to fully experience the firm’s unique culture.”

Many law firms are currently mulling over what to do about their summer programs, which are a key recruitment tool and a trial run for a permanent associate position at many law firms.

Some Big Law firms have already announced other sorts of adjustments in an attempt to mitigate the potential damage caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Baker Donelson, Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, Reed Smith, and Womble Bond Dickinson have all announced changes to their compensation practices thus far.