LANSING, Mich. – The State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners has announced the election of Cooley Law School Board Vice Chair Aaron Burrell as secretary for the 2026-2027 bar year. The election took place on July 24.
Burrell, a 2010 Cooley graduate, was first appointed to Cooley’s Board of Commissioners in 2019, and elected vice chair in 2024. He is a litigation attorney at Dickinson Wright’s Detroit and Troy offices, focusing on complex commercial litigation, appellate law, labor and employment law, and minority business enterprises.
“As an organization, the State Bar of Michigan is a strong advocate for maintaining an open, fair and accessible justice system,” said Burrell. “I am honored to be selected by the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners to serve as the Board secretary and work alongside fellow leaders from across the state to carry out the Board’s mission and goals throughout the upcoming year.”
A graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Burrell was recently sworn in as the 94th president of the Oakland Bar Association. He previously served as chair of the State Bar’s Representative Assembly.
Burrell is a fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation, Michigan State Bar Foundation, and the American Bar Foundation. He is also an active member of the Wolverine Bar Association and Detroit Bar Association.
“Aaron exemplifies the kind of leadership and commitment to service that strengthens our legal profession,” said Cooley Law School President and Dean James McGrath. “His election as secretary of the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners is a well-deserved recognition of his experience, integrity and dedication to the law. We are proud to see not only a Cooley graduate, but also a Cooley board member take on this important statewide role.”
Burrell will be sworn into his new role with the State Bar of Michigan Board at the Presidential Inauguration and Awards Luncheon on Sept. 18, at the Detroit Marriott Troy. He will serve alongside incoming President Erika Bryant, President-Elect Thomas Howlett, Vice President David Anderson, and Treasurer Suzanne Larsen.