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Derek Matthews gives next generation of Cooley Law School students a start in legal profession in Tampa

Derek Matthews gives next generation of Cooley Law School students a start in legal profession in Tampa

Derek Matthews (Vinson Class, 2017) is no stranger to giving back to Cooley Law School in the Tampa Bay region. Outside of legal practice, Matthews sponsors the annual Cooley Alumni Golf Outing in Tampa and participates in alumni events and mentoring programs to build relationships with faculty and fellow graduates.

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  • Kishnee Theus: Learning the Process of Law School at Cooley
    Kishnee Theus: Learning the Process of Law School at Cooley

    Kishnee Theus: Learning the Process of Law School at Cooley

    Kishnee Theus figured out that she was going to go to law school during her sophomore year of undergraduate studies. It was at that time that there was a devastating earthquake in Haiti. As a Haitian-American, this affected her personally. She had two aunts who were in Haiti, one an American citizen and the other not.

  • Cooley Law Professor teaches law students the foundations of good writing
    Cooley Law Professor teaches law students the foundations of good writing

    Cooley Law Professor teaches law students the foundations of good writing

    Students often tell Cooley Law School Professor Barbara Kalinowski that they are bad writers or they say, "It's just not my thing." Those kinds of comments don't wash for Kalinowski, especially in the classroom.

  • Alexis Morris: 19-year old excels in law school and discovers passion for teaching
    Alexis Morris: 19-year old excels in law school and discovers passion for teaching

    Alexis Morris: 19-year old excels in law school and discovers passion for teaching

    It was a law book Alexis Morris picked up in grade school that started her interest in the law. After something occurred in the classroom, she remembers her teacher pulling out an education law book from her shelf and then starting to read from it to the students. She then went to look at the book closer after class.

  • Cooley Law School wants New Zealand to know, We Too "Mourn with You."
    Cooley Law School wants New Zealand to know, We Too

    Cooley Law School wants New Zealand to know, We Too "Mourn with You."

    New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, speaking at a vigil one week after the horrific attacks on New Zealand Muslim worshippers, said, "According to Muslim faith, the Prophet Mohammed, Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam, said 'Believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain.'

  • Law School After Military Service: A Student Success Story
    Law School After Military Service: A Student Success Story

    Law School After Military Service: A Student Success Story

    As a former U.S. Marine Staff Sgt., Victor Flores knows the meaning of commitment. As a Cooley Law School graduate and practicing attorney, he also thoroughly understands what it means to dedicate yourself to your goals. Now he offers advice to students, veterans and others considering law school and a legal career.

  • The Library Minute, Ep. 10: Bootcamp for the MBE
    The Library Minute, Ep. 10: Bootcamp for the MBE

    The Library Minute, Ep. 10: Bootcamp for the MBE

    The Library Minute is a video series describing study aids and other secondary sources available for students in the WMU-Cooley Law School libraries. In our final episode, we discuss a series of study aids that’s structurally similar to the “Big Three” we talked about at the start of this series – 1) Understanding, 2) Examples and Explanations, and 3) Nutshell – but is geared more for MBE Bar preparation rather than law school courses; specifically: Emanuel’s Bootcamp for the MBE series.

  • Sheila Lake: Know who you are, how you learn, and what you need to succeed.
    Sheila Lake: Know who you are, how you learn, and what you need to succeed.

    Sheila Lake: Know who you are, how you learn, and what you need to succeed.

    As long as Sheila Lake can remember she always wanted to be an attorney and a champion for the underdog.

  • Tips For Making A Presentation
    Tips For Making A Presentation

    Tips For Making A Presentation

    Lawyers are trained to be expert communicators. Yet speaking before a group can be an intimidating prospect for some, whether it’s a civic club luncheon, trade association meeting, or bar association CLE program. Rejoice if you are invited to make a speaking presentation, as there are many ways it can benefit your practice. Here are some tips for making your presentation an effective and impressive one.

  • The Library Minute, Ep. 9: Sum and Substance
    The Library Minute, Ep. 9: Sum and Substance

    The Library Minute, Ep. 9: Sum and Substance

    The Library Minute is a video series describing study aids and other secondary sources available for students in the WMU-Cooley Law School libraries. In episode No. 9, we're giving a quick nod to a basic study aid that might help those inclined towards audio rather than print: the Sum and Substance series.