About Ian
Ian Shapiro's academic path began in the humanities. He earned a B.A. in philosophy from Yale University in 1992. Eight years later he completed his legal education at Harvard Law School, receiving his J.D. in 2000. Those formative years left him with a background in critical thinking and legal training that he carried into practice.
After law school he joined private practice and rose to partnership. He is a partner at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP. His work is based in New York. He is admitted to practice in New York state and in the federal courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. He has been a member of the bar since 2001.
Shapiro’s career has been shaped by the kinds of matters that come through New York’s state and federal dockets. He has handled filings, appearances and proceedings in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and he maintains a practice that engages with the rules and procedures of those courts. His academic background in philosophy informs how he approaches legal problems. He tends to favor careful analysis and direct argument. Colleagues describe him as methodical in courtroom preparation and attentive to the details that can affect litigation and transactional outcomes.
At Cooley Godward Kronish LLP he works with teams across practice groups. His role as partner involves supervising case strategy, managing client relationships and overseeing junior lawyers’ work. He participates in internal practice group planning and contributes to case assessments. He keeps a regular presence in the firm’s New York office and coordinates with colleagues who practice in related fields nationwide.
Outside of courtroom filings and firm duties, he maintains professional membership that dates to 2001. That ongoing membership aligns with his admitted jurisdictions and supports his practice in federal and state courts. He remains active in day-to-day client work and firm matters. He practices in New York state and in the federal courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
