The Constitutional Powers of the Congress of the United States
In a republican form of government–one in which representatives of the people make most policy decisions–the legislative branch is the most important.
Isabel Zagazeta is a 3L J.D. candidate and Dean’s Fellow at Cooley Law School in Tampa, Florida. Originally from Canada, she earned her undergraduate degree at Wilfrid Laurier University before moving to Florida to study law at Cooley. She has earned book awards, served on Law Review, mentored incoming students, and was part of Cooley’s Moot Court team that recently won first place at the 2026 Robert Orseck Moot Court Competition. With a passion for legal writing and healthcare compliance, Isabel is building a strong foundation for a future in law at Cooley.
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In a republican form of government–one in which representatives of the people make most policy decisions–the legislative branch is the most important.

Kalamazoo County celebrated the dedication of their brand-new justice center on Saturday, September 7. The center will be named in honor of the late Charles A. Pratt, a World War II veteran and the first black judge in Kalamazoo county when he was elected in 1969. Judge Pratt had 50 years of experience as a lawyer before he moved to the bench, where he is remembered for his unwavering commitment to justice, community service, and mentorship. After 12 years on the bench, Judge Pratt retired, but continued to give back to his community through his work with local organizations. Most notably, Judge Pratt was a strong advocate in Cooley’s long-lasting legacy, often carrying applications to the school wherever he went during Cooley’s fledgling era.

We have now completed a presidential election campaign. While there was considerable public discussion about the qualifications of the candidates and the political process, the role of the President was largely ignored. This short piece describes the power allocated to the President by the Constitution of the United States.

Professor Norman Fell September 8, 1942 - June 21, 2024

Sukayna Almusawi knew from the age of 14 she wanted to be a lawyer—yet many people insisted she would not succeed, not only because she is a woman, but also because she wears the hijab.

Cooley Law 2L student Thomas Gildner shares a passion for the law with his father, Michael, a partner at Simon, Figuera, and Parker in Flint.

Growing up, Cooley Dean’s Fellow Danielle Levy always knew that her parents and grandparents wanted her to pursue a professional career. It was no surprise then that Levy started at the University of Central Florida (UCF) following a BioMed major.

Ahmad Saifi grew up in his traditional family knowing that his family expected him to go into medicine. That pressure was compounded when one brother decided he was going to be a doctor, and the other brother made the decision to go to dentail school. Unfortunately for his family, Saifi wasn't interested in following any profession in the medical field.

One thing Cooley Law School Dean’s Fellow Troy Conti learned about himself working as a sheriff’s deputy after college was that he enjoyed being in the courtroom more than he liked patrolling the streets.