Cooley

Problem to solve

Cooley is facing inefficiencies in connecting clients seeking funding with the right investors. The current manual process is time-consuming and often leads to missed opportunities. Investor information is scattered across various systems, making it hard for users to quickly find suitable matches. The introduction process is complex and can cause confusion and communication issues. Without proper tracking and reporting, assessing the success of these introductions is challenging.

The Brief

To tackle these problems, we are developing the Investor Focus application to automate and simplify connections, improve collaboration among internal users, and boost the success rate of client funding efforts. This web application will be exclusively for internal users, facilitating a streamlined introduction process to enhance client-to-capital connections.

Key objectiveS

• Automated Matching: Facilitate a smooth, automated process to match Cooley clients with potential investors based on specific attributes (industry, geography, funding amount, etc.).

• Introduction Workflow: Streamline the introduction process between clients and investors, allowing Cooley attorneys and business development executives to manage investor connections efficiently.

• Internal Use: Ensure the application is user-friendly for internal users (partners, senior associates, and business development executives) and mobile-accessible.

• Outcome Tracking: Implement functionality to track the success of introductions made through the platform, helping measure the impact and results of connections.

• Customizable Communication: Provide flexibility in sending introduction emails, allowing users to draft, edit, and automate the sending of these emails.

• Data Integration: Integrate data from existing systems (Salesforce, Pitchbook) for investor matches and streamline the management of Cooley's investor relationships and contact information.

• User Management & Delegation: Enable users to manage preferences, delegate tasks, and perform key actions on behalf of others within the system, while maintaining full tracking and user impersonation capabilities.

• Future Scalability: Plan for future external user access through Cooley Connect and accommodate future features like relationship sharing, ensuring the platform can grow with evolving needs.

the approach

To design a clean, simple, and intuitive Investor Focus Application, we employed a strategic, step-by-step approach. I wanted to focus on understanding the user, so we kicked off the process by diving deep into the project brief and mapping out user flows based on insights from Cooley’s team. This groundwork was essential for ensuring a seamless transition from initial wireframes to polished, high-fidelity designs.

Interpreting the project brief

We thoroughly reviewed the business requirements shared by Cooley and prepared questions to clarify any unclear areas or to better understand their pain points and user needs. Engaging in in-depth discussions with Cooley’s stakeholders allowed us to delve into their specific needs, challenges, and expectations. With these insights, we mapped out user flows to visualize how business professionals, partners, and associates would interact with the application.

Wireframes

We started with low-fidelity wireframes to outline the application's core structure and functionality. Given the complexity of the requirements and the tight deadline, this phase was key to ensuring we had a clear, visual guide to work from. Wireframes allowed us to focus on usability without getting bogged down by aesthetics too early.

They also helped us iterate quickly and gave Cooley’s team something tangible to provide feedback on early in the process. Engaging Cooley through this stage ensured we were tackling their unique problems effectively. This approach meant that when we transitioned to high-fidelity designs, we were building on a well-defined structure, reducing revisions and saving time in the long run.

Final Designs

In this phase, we developed high-fidelity designs that incorporated visual aesthetics and interactive elements aligned with Cooley’s brand identity. This process involved multiple iterations as we fine-tuned requirements and functionality based on ongoing feedback.

We also created a prototype that Cooley shared with stakeholders, featuring micro-interactions and realistic content to effectively demonstrate how the application would function in practice. This hands-on approach not only helped convey the app's capabilities but also ensured that all stakeholders were aligned and engaged throughout the design process.

CONCLUSION

While the Investor Focus Application has not yet been launched, our collaboration with Cooley has proven to be a success. The team has been genuinely impressed with the progress we’ve made together, especially considering the complexities involved in the project.

Working with Cooley has had its challenges, but I’m thrilled that they are excited about the work we’ve accomplished. Their positive feedback underscores the effectiveness of our user-centered design approach and our commitment to understanding their unique needs.