Robert Patrick Cooper

Bob is general counsel and senior vice president for OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the country. As the bank's chief legal strategist, he leads its legal, regulatory, and external affairs. OneUnited Bank during Bob's tenure has transformed from a local community bank to a financial technology company that offers cutting-edge financial products and services to low-to-moderate income and historically under-represented minority populations nationwide. 

His work experience spans several industries. Prior to joining OneUnited, Bob was a lawyer in private practice specializing in domestic and international corporate transactions, where he also negotiated software licensing agreements, advised real estate development corporations, and provided legal advice to small and mid-sized businesses. Before that, he was an attorney at Hale and Dorr, where his work focused on venture capital, securities offerings, and technology acquisitions. Bob began his career in legal affairs at a multinational corporation. 

He serves in a leadership capacity in a number of outside organizations, including: Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Inc., past chairman and a current board member of the National Bankers Association, the nation’s oldest and largest trade association representing minority- and women-owned banks, and director of Minbanc Foundation Inc., an organization that provides increased opportunities for key employees in the minority banking community. 

Bob received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.