Cooley Named Finalist as Growth Capital Team of the Year in The Lawyer 2026 Awards

Why It Matters

The nomination underscores Cooley’s dominance in European venture‑capital law, signaling to investors and startups that the firm is a premier counsel for large‑scale growth deals. It also enhances Cooley’s brand equity in a competitive market where firms vie for high‑value tech transactions.

Key Takeaways

• Cooley's growth capital team advised $1.975 billion in deals last year.
• Strategic hires boosted London practice to become Europe's largest ECVC team.
• PhysicsX, OLIX, Swap, Wayve highlighted as marquee venture financings.
• Shortlisting positions Cooley as go‑to destination for venture capital counsel.

Pulse Analysis

Cooley’s appearance on The Lawyer’s 2026 Growth Capital Team shortlist highlights a broader shift in the European legal landscape, where U.S.‑based firms are aggressively expanding to capture venture‑capital work traditionally dominated by local boutiques. By leveraging a wave of lateral hires and internal promotions, Cooley has built a deep bench of specialists capable of handling complex seed, series A‑C, and growth‑stage financings across the UK and the continent. This strategic scaling not only broadens the firm’s service offering but also positions it as a credible alternative to legacy firms for high‑growth tech companies seeking cross‑border counsel.

The firm’s involvement in marquee transactions—PhysicsX’s $155 million round, OLIX’s $220 million raise, Swap’s $100 million financing, and Uber’s $1.5 billion investment in Wayve—demonstrates its capacity to navigate multi‑jurisdictional regulatory frameworks and negotiate terms that protect both investors and founders. These deals, collectively exceeding $1.9 billion, illustrate the growing appetite for European tech capital and the importance of having a law partner that can manage the intricate legal nuances of large‑scale venture deals. Cooley’s track record in these high‑visibility financings reinforces its reputation as a go‑to advisor for both emerging startups and established growth companies.

Looking ahead, the shortlisting serves as a market signal that Cooley will continue to invest in talent and technology to sustain its momentum. Clients can expect enhanced resources, including data‑driven deal analytics and integrated IP protection strategies, as the firm seeks to differentiate itself in an increasingly crowded space. The upcoming awards ceremony will further cement Cooley’s standing, potentially attracting new mandates and solidifying its role as a leading conduit for European venture capital activity.