Recent Cooley Law School graduate Aimee Lorencz is turning years of professional experience and a passion for justice into a future career in criminal law. In a feature published by Legal News, Lorencz reflects on her journey from working as a correctional officer and CPS investigator to earning her law degree while balancing family, work, and leadership responsibilities. As a weekend/blended student, Lorencz immersed herself in hands-on learning opportunities including externships, moot court competitions, the Cooley Innocence Project, and student leadership roles. Her experiences strengthened her passion for criminal law, ethics, and advocacy. Read more about Aimee's story here: https://legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1606383.
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The views expressed in this article are those of Samantha Hulliberger and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the United States Air Force. Samantha Hulliberger (Scalia Class, 2024) didn’t just stumble upon the idea of military service or the law — her path was shaped by a deep commitment to public service, family influence, and a pandemic that gave her time to reflect.
If you’re just beginning your law school journey, now is the perfect time to focus on the skills that will support you well beyond your first semester. Setting clear boundaries doesn’t make you less committed; it helps you build a healthy, sustainable path forward. When you communicate openly about what you can deliver and when, you set professional standards that will earn the trust of classmates, professors, and future colleagues. You’ll also discover that adaptability is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to law school. Every classroom, clinic, and workplace will challenge you in new ways. The ability to adjust, collaborate, and thrive in unfamiliar environments will not only shape your student experience but also prepare you for a successful legal career. For more guidance, read the American Bar Association’s article "Essential Soft Skills You Must Develop During Law School," co-authored by Cooley Law School Professor Matthew Marin and Cooley Student Katelyn Hearn. Their perspective offers practical insights that every new student should carry into their studies. Read the full article here: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/resources/student-lawyer/professional-development/essential-soft-skills-you-must-develop-during-law-school/.
“Direct violation of the Insurrection Act,” says Ret. Brigadier General Michael McDaniel, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense Strategy, Prevention and Mission Assurance at the Pentagon.
The Schurr Murder trial commenced on Monday, April 28, 2025, in connection to the officer involved shooting resulting in the death of Patrick Lyoya. Former Grand Rapids Police Department Officer Christopher Schurr encountered Lyoya during an April 2022 traffic stop. Cooley Law School Professors Lewis Langham, Tracey Brame and Tonya Krause-Phelan have offered expert analysis through each phase of the trial, from jury selection, to prosecution and defense case presentation, and jury deliberation.
On July 1, Russ Kavalhuna, J.D. (Gerald W. Boston Class, 2007), will take the reins as Western Michigan University’s (WMU) president. He will fill the position being vacated by Dr. Edward Montgomery who is retiring. Kavalhuna will be WMU’s 10th president and is currently president at Henry Ford College (HFC). He earned his bachelor's degree in aviation science from WMU and juris doctor from Cooley Law School. He and his wife, Courtney, have two children.
The Cooley Organization of Women Law Students (OWLS) hosted an International Women’s Day Event on March 11, 2025, featuring the Honorable Ana C. Viscomi, former Asbestos Special Master and current Superior Court Judge, as their keynote speaker.
Preface: Although I am committed to avoiding personality, policy, politics, and party in these blogs, I must cross that line in considering President Trump’s March 25, 2025, Executive Order entitled “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering, Parents, States, and Communities.” I do so because I am offended by the stark incompetence demonstrated in the document, which actually does not address empowerment of anyone and does not provide any indication of how outcomes will be improved. After law school, I joined the Department of Justice as an Honors Employee. My major task was supervising investigations, which revealed my hidden competence in planning and organizing activity. After that experience, I became a planner for the State of Michigan, serving in the Executive Office of Governor William G. Milliken. I became head of a State Planning Agency, implementing federal law and state policy through writing and administering plans for and distribution of federal appropriations (and state and local matching funds). That experience colors my judgment about the President’s Executive Order, which attempts to close the federal Department of Education without providing any planning whatsoever.
In his memorandum, the President asserts that he has unspecified “core powers,“ which are being abused by law firms and attorneys. He fails to identify these powers and their source. Contrary to his assertion, under the Constitution the President possesses only clearly delegated power; while most of the federal power is delegated to Congress.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Cooley Law School's Lansing campus held its annual MentorJet program, co-sponsored with the National Association of Women Judges. The program matches law students with leading lawyers and judges to learn about law practice and job opportunities. The event included representatives from the Michigan Department of the Attorney General, 54-A District Court, Oakland County Circuit Court, Ingham County Circuit Court, Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, and many private practice law firms. "It was inspiring to see our students get the opportunity to meet with various professionals to learn about legal career opportunities," said Karen M. Poole, Cooley Law School director of Career & Professional Development. "We're grateful to all the judges and attorneys who volunteered their time to engage with our students."
