Skip to content

Cooley Law School Holds Spring Honors Convocation in Lansing

Cooley Law School Holds Spring Honors Convocation in Lansing

LANSING, MICH. — Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus recognized students for their achievements during the spring honors convocation on March 19. William Bowman and Toren Chenault were presented the Leadership Achievement Award. Bowman and Aimee Lorencz each received the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Student Award. The Leadership Achievement Award acknowledges those students who have consistently, comprehensively, and effectively provided leadership in a variety of capacities. The award is intended to be the culmination of the recipient’s participation in leadership activities at Cooley. The Alumni Association’s Distinguished Student Award is given to selected graduating students based on academic accomplishments, professionalism and ethics, leadership, extracurricular activities, and post-graduation plans. The recipients are selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee of the Cooley Alumni Association. Recipients are presented with a diploma frame from the law school. Bowman is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. At Cooley, he served as president of the Student Bar Association and as a Dean’s Fellow with the Academic Resource Center. Bowman competed in Moot Court competitions and served as chairperson for the Moot Court. He is a member of the Mock Trial Board, Christian Legal Society, and the American Constitution Society. Chenault, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, has participated in several organizations. He served as treasurer for the Black Law Student’s Association, editor-in-chief of the Cooley Law Review, and as a Student Bar Association mentor. Chenault was also selected as an Academic Resource Center Dean’s Fellow. Lorencz earned a Bachelor of Science in biology with forensics concentration at Ferris State University. At Cooley, she worked on case screening and evaluated post-conviction cases for strong evidence of factual innocence for the Innocence Project. Lorencz serves as a teaching assistant and as a Dean’s Fellow. Lorencz has represented the law school as a National Moot Court competitor and has devoted significant time to student leadership, serving as president of the Organization of Women Law Students, vice president of Criminal Law Students, and as a 3L senator and member of the Alumni and Professional Development Committee of the Student Bar Association.

Read More
  • Cooley Law School Innocence Project Secures Release of Dell Crawford
    Cooley Law School Innocence Project Secures Release of Dell Crawford

    Cooley Law School Innocence Project Secures Release of Dell Crawford

    JACKSON, Mich. March 24, 2026 – Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project, in partnership with the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit, has secured the release of Dell Crawford, of Detroit, after spending 17 years in prison for being wrongfully convicted of second-degree murder. On March 24, Wayne County Circuit Judge Tracy Green vacated Crawford’s second-degree murder conviction and sentence, and dismissed the charge without prejudice. Crawford is represented by Cooley Innocence Project attorneys Jessa Webber and Niquole Caringi. While speaking to the court Caringi said that DNA evidence excluded Crawford from the crime. “Mr. Crawford has served 17 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections for a crime he did not commit,” said Caringi. “At the time of trial, there was no physical evidence implicating Mr. Crawford, and the case was based largely on the changing statements of a witness. The DNA exclusion under the victim’s fingernails demonstrates what Mr. Crawford has been telling us for the last 17 years: That he had nothing to do with this crime.” “We can’t give you back that time, but we can certainly try to do the best that we can to right wrong,” said Judge Green. “Your conviction was not the only tragedy here. There is perhaps someone out there who has gotten away with the murder of Miss Williams and that is almost has disturbing as the amount of time you have spent in prison as an innocent man.” During the hearing in Green’s courtroom, Crawford spoke via video conference from Jackson State Prison.

  • Cooley Law School Holds Spring Honors Convocation in Tampa Bay
    Cooley Law School Holds Spring Honors Convocation in Tampa Bay

    Cooley Law School Holds Spring Honors Convocation in Tampa Bay

    TAMPA BAY, FLA, — Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus recognized students for their achievements during the spring honors convocation on March 18. Dylan Sanchez was presented the Leadership Achievement Award. Sanchez and Julisa Inoa each received the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Student Award. The Leadership Achievement Award acknowledges those students who have consistently, comprehensively, and effectively provided leadership in a variety of capacities. The award is intended to be the culmination of the recipient’s participation in leadership activities at Cooley. The Alumni Association’s Distinguished Student Award is given to selected graduating students based on academic accomplishments, professionalism and ethics, leadership, extracurricular activities, and post-graduation plans. The recipients are selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee of the Cooley Alumni Association. Recipients are presented with a diploma frame from the law school. Sanchez is a native of Charlotte, NC. At Cooley, he served as president and historian for Phi Delta Phi international legal honor society; interim managing manuscript editor and executive manuscript editor for Law Review; senator-at-large and a 2L senator on the Student Bar Association, and treasurer of the Mock Trial Board. Inoa hales from Hillsborough County, Florida, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology at the University of South Forida. While at Cooley, she served two terms as president of the Hispanic Organization of Legal Advocates and six consecutive terms as a senator-at-large for the Student Bar Association. She also served as public relations officer for Cooley’s chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and as a senior intern in the Cooley’s Debt Relief Clinic. Her academic success earned her a position as a Dean’s Fellow. Inoa’s commitment to service is reflected in her active participation in the Young Adult Ministry through Alive Church and her volunteer work with Metropolitan Ministries. She was recently selected for the United States Air Force JAG Corps—an honor extended to only about five percent of applicants nationwide.

  • Cooley Law School to Host Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer During Sports and Entertainment Law Society Event
    Cooley Law School to Host Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer During Sports and Entertainment Law Society Event

    Cooley Law School to Host Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer During Sports and Entertainment Law Society Event

    TAMPA, Fla. — On March 25, Cooley Law School’s Sports & Entertainment Law Society will host an event, “The Law Behind the Lights: Where Sports, Entertainment and Law Intersect,” at the Cooley Event Center on its Tampa campus. Event will feature Jimmy DuBose, a former NFL running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the late 1970s, and Shawuki Hilton, Esq., Cooley Law School alumnus and founding attorney of The Hilton Law Firm. DuBose, an alumnus of the University of Florida Gators, was the first UF running back to rush for a 1,000 yards in a single season. He was named SEC Player of the Year in 1975, and selected to the Associated Press All-American team, and the Tampa Tribune All-Century Team in 1999. Additionally, DuBose was inducted into UF’s Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Sarasota High School Hall of Fame in 2018. He played four years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and became the first player in franchise history to rush for a hundred yards before getting injured and retiring from the NFL. Outside of football, DuBose worked in education for 22 years as a teacher, football coach, dean, and assistant principal in Hillsborough, Orange, and Pasco counties. He is currently the treasurer of the local chapter of the NFL Players Association leadership, where he has served in various capacities for over 20 years. Hilton, who practices sports law, represents professional athletes within the Canadian Football League. Before graduating cum laude from Cooley, Hilton served as the justice of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International, vice president of entertainment of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society, and associate editor of the Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law. He has served a diverse client base on matters related to business law, contract law, consumer protection, estate planning, intellectual property, and real estate. Additionally, Everkesia Taylor of I Am Poetry, will perform at the event. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Everkesia is the author of six poetry books and the creative force behind the I Am Poetry apparel line. Through I Am Poetry, she curates immersive experiences – from open mic shows to large-scale festivals. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

  • Cooley Law School Distinguished Professor Emeritus Retired Brigadier General Michael McDaniel Honored by Center for Homeland Defense and Security
    Cooley Law School Distinguished Professor Emeritus Retired Brigadier General Michael McDaniel Honored by Center for Homeland Defense and Security

    Cooley Law School Distinguished Professor Emeritus Retired Brigadier General Michael McDaniel Honored by Center for Homeland Defense and Security

    LANSING, Mich. – Cooley Law School Distinguished Professor Emeritus Retired Brigadier General Michael McDaniel was honored by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security Naval Postgraduate School for his commitment to homeland security education. McDaniel received the Christopher Bellavita Educator Award during the 2026 CHDS Alumni Professional Exchange Continuing Education Workshop in February. Named after Christopher Bellavita, former CHDS director of academic programs who was instrumental in developing the Master's program, the award recognizes individuals for innovation in advancing the homeland defense and security mission and is a distinction within the CHDS at the Naval Postgraduate School. McDaniel, who retired from Cooley in 2025, served the law school as professor, dean and director of Cooley’s Homeland and National Security Law LL.M. Program for 13 years. As a former state Homeland Security Advisor and member of Michigan’s National Guard, he was named co-chair of the state's task force on terrorism by Governor John Engler and Attorney General Jennifer Granholm following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Additionally, McDaniel’s leadership and homeland security knowledge was paramount in the Flint Water Crisis, as well as helping Lansing restore power to 96,000 residents – 40 percent of Lansing’s Board of Water and Light's customers – who had been without power for 11 days following a massive ice storm in 2013.

  • Cooley Law School Expungement Fair Helps 88 Individuals
    Cooley Law School Expungement Fair Helps 88 Individuals

    Cooley Law School Expungement Fair Helps 88 Individuals

    LANSING, Mich. – On March 6, Cooley Law School held an Expungement Fair to aid in the removal of certain arrests and convictions from qualifying individuals’ public criminal records. The event was held in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Safe & Just Michigan, Ascend Co-Lab for Social Equality, and Legal Services of South Central Michigan. This year’s Expungement Fair screened 185 individuals through the pre-registration and onsite walk-in process, with 88 individuals qualifying for expungement. “Everyone deserves a chance to show that they are more than their mistakes,” said Karen Poole, director of career and professional development, Cooley Law School. “Michigan’s expungement law gives citizens the opportunity to do just that.” Volunteer attorneys and law students under the supervision of licensed attorneys assisted with expungement paperwork. Criminal offenses that have been expunged are no longer accessible to employers or landlords. Michigan law has always allowed for expungements, but the “Clean Slate” legislation enacted in 2020 made more individuals and offenses eligible for expungement. The expungement process became available to the public in 2021. On April 11, 2023, the automatic expungement provisions went into effect, allowing for the automatic expungement of some felonies and misdemeanors. Under the new law, individuals with up to three expungement-eligible felonies and any number of misdemeanors can have their records expunged. Certain traffic violations and first-time operating while intoxicated offenses can be expunged. Additionally, misdemeanor marijuana convictions that would not have been considered crimes after recreational marijuana was legalized in Michigan can be expunged. Cooley Law School has hosted several Expungement Fairs since 2023, which has resulted in hundreds of individuals being able to have their criminal records expunged.

  • Cooley Law School Hosts Florida Restoration Coalition Presentation
    Cooley Law School Hosts Florida Restoration Coalition Presentation

    Cooley Law School Hosts Florida Restoration Coalition Presentation

    In collaboration with the American Constitution Society and Federal Bar Association student organizations, Cooley Law School hosted a Florida Rights Restoration Coalition presentation on March 5. The goal of the event was to educate attendees on restoring voter rights and shed light on critical areas of criminal justice reform. Attorney Lenora Easter, Esq, senior counsel at the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, presented the legal education presentation, Restoring Voting Rights with Sentence Modification Remedies under FL Statute 98.0751. FRRC is the organization behind Amendment 4 - Voting Rights Restoration and is committed to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions. Amendment 4 restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence, including parole or probation. “FRRC is a grassroots organization that supports returning citizens,” said Easter. “We advocate for policies that enhance successful reentry and to build a justice-impacted people’s movement through civic engagement and public education which focuses on restoration of rights, voting registration, and criminal justice reform.” The event was sponsored by and approved for CLE credit by The Florida Bar. The discussion was open to lawyers, law students and Cooley Law School alumni, and included opportunities for members of the audience to ask questions and discuss voter rights reform with Easter and members of the FRRC. “Yes, what we do is political in nature, but people come first,” Easter said. “At the end of the day, it’s the people that drive communities, the people that drive politics.”

  • Cooley Law School Innocence Project Assists in Release of George Calicut Jr.
    Cooley Law School Innocence Project Assists in Release of George Calicut Jr.

    Cooley Law School Innocence Project Assists in Release of George Calicut Jr.

    LANSING, Mich. March 4, 2026 – Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project collaborated with the Michigan Innocence Clinic and the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit in the release of George Calicut Jr., of Detroit, after spending 27 years in prison for being wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder. On March 3, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Bradley Cobb vacated Calicut’s conviction, and he was released from prison. Calicut had been serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the felony murder of Virgie Perkins in 1999. The Michigan Innocence Clinic’s review of Calicut’s case revealed that a known rogue police investigator, Detroit Police Homicide Investigator Barbara Simon, had authored a false confession attributed to him. The Cooley Innocence Project then assisted with DNA testing in collaboration with MIC and the WCPO Conviction Integrity Unit, which resulted in Calicut’s exclusion from key evidence from the crime scene. “It is people like George Calicut who we fight for – to get their freedom back and give them the chance to reclaim their lives,” said Jessa Webber, Cooley Innocence Project attorney for Calicut. “We are pleased we were able to offer investigative resources, pursuant to a Kirk Bloodsworth Post-Conviction DNA Testing Grant in conjunction with Wayne County, which helped to play a small role in George Calicut’s relief. Collaborations within the innocence community are vital. Our partnership with the Michigan Innocence Clinic and the Wayne County Conviction Integrity played a role in Calicut walking out of prison as a free man for the first time in 27 years.” Perkins was murdered in her Detroit home on March 10, 1999. There were no eyewitnesses and no signs of forced entry. Perkins’ husband noticed her cell phone was missing. Investigation and records of the missing phone revealed a call was made by Calicut on March 15. Calicut confirmed that he had taken a cell phone from Lemuel Perkins, Jr., Virgie Perkins’s son, on that day. During an investigative interview with Calicut, Simon wrote a four-page written confessional statement claiming to be from Calicut, falsely confessing to Vergie Perkins’ murder. “When the reliability of evidence used to secure a conviction is called into question, it is the prosecution’s obligation to investigate and to determine whether the conviction was undermined in any significant way. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy agreed with our recommendation for relief as it reflects this office’s unwavering commitment to the integrity of convictions and the credibility of the system,” said WCPO CIU Director, and Deputy Chief Valerie Newman. “The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and Mr. Calicut stipulate that there is reason to believe that, if the jury knew the information about Simon’s pattern of coercion that resulted in false confessions, it is reasonably likely it would not have convicted Mr. Calicut in this case, as there was no other evidence tying him to the crime,” Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said. “The parties’ stipulated facts allow for this court to make an informed ruling that a grant of relief is warranted, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.” Celebrating 25 years of exonerations, the Cooley Innocence Project is part of the Innocence Network, which has been credited with the release of over 375 wrongfully convicted prisoners, mainly through the use of DNA testing. The Cooley Innocence Project is the only post-conviction DNA innocence organization in Michigan. Since its inception in 2021, the office has screened over 6,000 cases and is responsible for the exoneration of nine individuals: Kenneth Wyniemko (2003), Nathaniel Hatchett (2008), Donya Davis (2014), LeDura Watkins (2017), Kenneth Nixon (2021), Gilbert Poole (2021), Corey Quentin McCall (2021), George DeJesus (2022), and most recently, Louis Wright (2023), who spent 35 years being wrongfully imprisoned. In addition to George Calicut Jr., the Cooley Innocence Project has helped to exonerate Lacino Hamilton, Ramon Ward, Terance Calhoun, Crystal Mulherin, and Duane Williams. “For 25 years, the Cooley Innocence Project has helped prove the innocence of Michigan residents who have been wrongly convicted by our justice system,” said Ann Garant, co-director of the Cooley Innocence Project. “Our staff and student interns strongly believe in the Cooley Innocence Project’s mission of restoring freedom to the wrongfully incarcerated and raising public awareness through advocacy and education.”

  • Cooley Law School to Host Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Presentation
    Cooley Law School to Host Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Presentation

    Cooley Law School to Host Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Presentation

    The presentation on restoring voting rights is scheduled for March 5 TAMPA, Fla. — On March 5, Cooley Law School will host a Florida Rights Restoration Coalition presentation about restoring voting rights. Attorney Lenora Easter, Esq, a member of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, will present the continuing legal education presentation, “Restoring Voting Rights with Sentence Modification Remedies under FL Statute 98.0751.” FRRC is the organization behind Amendment 4 - Voting Rights Restoration, and is committed to ending the disenfranchisement and discrimination against people with convictions. Amendment 4 restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence, including parole or probation. The event is open to lawyers, law students and Cooley Law School alumni. It will be held in the events center, located on the first floor of Cooley’s Tampa campus. All guests should check in with security at Cooley’s Welcome Center, also located on the first floor. The event is sponsored by the American Constitution Society and Federal Bar Association student organizations and approved for CLE credit by The Florida Bar. Refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration is not required.

  • Cooley Law School Partners with Michigan Attorney General’s Office to Host Expungement Fair on March 6
    Cooley Law School Partners with Michigan Attorney General’s Office to Host Expungement Fair on March 6

    Cooley Law School Partners with Michigan Attorney General’s Office to Host Expungement Fair on March 6

    Registration is encouraged and available online for those wishing to have convictions expunged Cooley Law School will host an Expungement Fair from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 6, in the law school’s lobby. Volunteer attorneys and law students under the supervision of licensed attorneys will assist with their expungement paperwork. Cooley Law School has hosted several Expungement Fairs since 2023, which has resulted in hundreds of individuals being able to have their criminal records expunged. The event is being held in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Safe & Just Michigan, Ascend Co-Lab for Social Equality, and Legal Services of South Central Michigan. Registration is open online for those wishing to have their convictions expunged. Limited walk-in appointments will be accepted on the day of the event. Expungement removes arrests and convictions from a person’s public criminal record. Criminal offenses that have been expunged are no longer accessible to employers or landlords. Michigan law has always allowed for expungements, but the “Clean Slate” legislation enacted in 2020 made more individuals and offenses eligible for expungement. This process became available to the public in 2021. On April 11, 2023, the automatic expungement provisions went into effect, allowing for the automatic expungement of some felonies and misdemeanors. Under the new law, individuals with up to three expungement-eligible felonies and any number of misdemeanors can have their records expunged. Certain traffic violations and first-time operating while intoxicated offenses can be expunged. Additionally, misdemeanor marijuana convictions that would not have been considered crimes after recreational marijuana was legalized in Michigan can be expunged. Friday, March 6, 2026 Noon-4 p.m. Cooley Law School - Lobby 300 S. Capital Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 Register online