Recent Cooley Law School graduate Morgan Prybys is turning a longtime dream of becoming a lawyer into a career focused on helping others. Prybys, who began her professional journey working in security before becoming a paralegal, was recently recognized with the Cooley Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award at the law school’s Honors Convocation. The award recognized her academic journey, involvement and commitment to supporting those around her. During her time at Cooley, Prybys was involved with several student organizations and served as a teaching assistant. She also gained hands-on experience through Cooley’s SixtyPlus ElderLaw Clinic, building on her interest in estate planning and elder law. Her legal interests also include compliance, an area in which she earned a Certificate of Merit. Her journey from doubting whether law school was possible to earning her J.D. and receiving recognition for her accomplishments reflects the persistence and growth that shaped her legal education. Read more about Morgan Prybys and her journey in the Legal News.
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Gordon C. Boardman (Marston Class, 1978) helped shape the essence of Cooley Law School from its earliest days as a pioneer in the school’s founding era, a dedicated alumnus, and a gifted artist whose generosity and creativity left a lasting mark on the institution and all who knew him.
Recent Cooley Law School graduate William Bowman is beginning the next chapter of his legal career this summer with the civil litigation team at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge in Grand Rapids. In a feature published by Legal News, Bowman reflects on the experiences, mentorship, and opportunities that helped shape his path to practice. A first-generation law student, Bowman built a strong foundation through paralegal work, volunteer service, national moot court competitions, and leadership roles at Cooley, including serving as Student Bar Association president and Lead Dean’s Fellow in the peer tutoring program. His experiences reinforced his passion for advocacy, oral argument, and civil litigation. Read more about William's story here: https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1606374.
When Bob Hertzberg (Wiest Class, 1979) arrived at Cooley Law School in 1976, he was determined to overcome obstacles that had plagued his education since childhood. Now, the retired lawyer, who once argued in front of the United States Supreme Court, is giving back to the school that gave him his start in the legal profession.
Cooley Law School’s Board of Directors Chair Mitchell Zajac has been named to Crain’s Detroit Business 2025 Class of “40 Under 40,” which highlights CEOs, founders, innovators, community champions and others younger than 40 who are making significant impacts. Zajac will be recognized during a reception on Nov. 20 at The Department at Hudson’s in Detroit.
Judge David Hamilton (Hilligan Class, 2012) had dreams of becoming a big-time defense attorney when he started classes at Cooley Law School in the fall of 2009. But his mom, Rosalind, envisioned her son in a different career path – a life in public service. After his first year at Cooley, Hamilton proved her right.
As an attorney one for the Judiciary of Guam, Francesca Camacho (Scalia Class, 2024) hopes to someday be a trial prosecutor, advocating for the interests of justice and the people of Guam – something she’s been wanting to do since before law school.
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.
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.
Krystle Cacci spent her whole life in government. Her mother was a judge, afterall. It was a natural progression to go into service. In college, she forged ahead in government policy by getting two master’s degrees focusing on public administration.
