About Shane
Shane Goudey built his legal foundation through a string of academic achievements that center on law and taxation. He earned a B.S. in political science from the University of Wyoming in 1992, then moved into legal studies. In 1997 he completed a J.D. at the University of Oregon School of Law and followed that same year with an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law.
Those credentials shaped the early arc of his career. After completing graduate work at NYU, Goudey entered private practice and advanced through roles that culminated in a partnership. He is a partner at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP. His professional registration lists California among the jurisdictions in which he practices.
Peers describe his approach as methodical and detail-oriented. He handles matters that require careful analysis of tax rules and their application to real-world transactions. His LL.M. in taxation informs how he reads regulatory text and structures advice. That academic background also gives him context when clients seek opinions on tax consequences or need planning for complex arrangements.
At Cooley Godward Kronish LLP, Goudey works alongside lawyers who handle corporate and transactional matters. He brings tax expertise to team efforts on deals and client counseling. In practice he often interprets tax provisions, advises on compliance issues and reviews transaction structures for tax implications. His role involves drafting memoranda, advising clients on regulatory positions and coordinating with other firm lawyers to align tax strategy with broader business goals.
Outside written briefs and client meetings, Goudey has maintained ties to the academic path that formed his practice. The sequence of degrees he pursued — undergraduate study in political science followed by a J.D. and a specialized LL.M. in taxation — informs his day-to-day practice and the questions he fields from clients. He continues to practice in California as a partner at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP and concentrates his work on tax matters within the firm.
