About Stephen C.
Stephen C. Neal is an attorney whose career stretches back to the early 1970s. He completed his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, receiving an A.B. in 1970. He then attended Stanford Law School and earned his J.D. in 1973.
After law school, Neal was admitted to the bar in 1973. He is licensed to practice in both Illinois and California. Over the decades since his admission he has remained active in private practice and in firm leadership roles.
Neal has held the position of Partner-Chairman at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP. That title placed him among the senior lawyers responsible for the direction of the firm while continuing to carry a professional caseload. His tenure at the firm spans many years and reflects sustained involvement in both management and client work. He has navigated the administrative demands of a large law firm alongside the everyday tasks of practicing law.
Throughout his career Neal has combined the perspectives of an experienced litigator and a firm executive. He brings long-term institutional knowledge to matters handled by his office and to decisions about firm operations. Colleagues and clients have encountered him in roles that required balancing business and legal judgment. He remains an active member of the bar and continues his practice across the jurisdictions where he holds licenses.
As of 2026 Neal maintains an active license and continues to work through Cooley Godward Kronish LLP, practicing in Illinois and California. He continues to practice actively in Illinois and California through his work at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP.
