Cooley Law School Mission Motivated Mexican-American attorney: Legal education not only for the privileged

From where I stand, as a Mexican American attorney from a mid-sized All American city in Texas, I say our critics can be our motivators. In 2008, I knew the rumors about Cooley's supposed open admissions beforehand, but did some research and saw things differently. They give qualified people a chance. And I knew I was qualified. I was working full time with undocumented immigrant children and decided to go to law school.

Arturo Alfaro: Path from Spanish Language Interpreter to Legal Advocate

Arturo Alfaro came to law school in a very non-traditional way, as a Spanish language certified interpreter for the state of Michigan. His first assignments found him working in the Oakland County Circuit and District Courts.

Sarah E. Shirley: Don't Blend In, Stand Out

#FromWhereIStand is an op-ed forum allowing a voice and stance for our Cooley community of family and friends. Law student Sarah E. Shirley (April 2020) writes about the requisite need for diversity in law school for a better world.

On Lawyers, the Law, Truth and Perceptions

"Perceptions are powerful things. They shape our worldview. They energize us emotionally and move us to action. But they are not facts – they are the vehicles through which we perceive facts. Perceptions contain some truths, but rarely the entire truth." - Cooley Ethics Professor Victoria Vuletich

Dinah Lynch: Flexible J.D. Schedule Options Made Cooley a Perfect Choice

When Dinah Lynch applied to law schools, Cooley was her first choice. The decision was an easy one for her. She had looked at other schools in Michigan, but none offered classes that allowed her to work around her schedule. At Cooley, Lynch was able to start classes around 6:00 p.m., in their evening program, and keep her full-time job as well as all benefits. That was very important to her.

Uninformed Critics Will Not Deter Us From Our Mission, says James D. Robb

#FromWhereIStand is an op-ed forum allowing a voice and stance for our Cooley community of family and friends. James D. Robb, the law school's associate dean of external affairs and general counsel, is passionate about Cooley, its history and its mission. He also is not impressed by those with their own agendas who give uninformed criticism and offer unfounded opinions. Think about it. Why would someone criticize our School for the recent actions of a lawyer who graduated 27 years ago? Maybe this is more of the recent trend of incivility and bullying in the media and social media, in our case by people who know little about legal education and nothing about our fine Law School.

Rosemarie Aquilina: A Voice for All

Rosemarie E. Aquilina, Ingham County, Michigan, Circuit Court Judge and adjunct Cooley professor, made news worldwide for her work presiding over the sentencing of disgraced former sports medicine doctor Larry Nassar. Yet, for those from the Lansing area, her reputation for outspoken advocacy was already solid. For Aquilina, giving those in her courtroom a voice was simply business as usual.

Legal Risk Management for Lawyers: Learn How to Protect Yourself

Judge Janice Cunningham – A Catalyst for Change

We live in turbulent times that often try our patience and make us wonder what could possibly be next. But under the choppy surface waters of daily life, good people are going about the business of making change — for the good. They ignore that which detracts from their mission while steadily moving toward their goals. Eaton County 56th Circuit Court Judge Janice Cunningham is one of those steadfast crusaders. Cunningham, a long-time Cooley adjunct professor, was the second judge to sentence disgraced sports medicine doctor Larry Nassar.