News (10)

Cooley Innocence Project and Warner to Recognize National Wrongful Conviction Day with Exoneree Panel Event

On Monday, Oct. 2, the Cooley Law School Innocence Project, in partnership with Warner Norcross + Judd LLP in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will recognize National Wrongful Conviction Day with a free panel discussion featuring Innocence Project exonerees. Panelists will include exonerees Kenneth Nixon, Gilbert Poole, George DeJesus, and his brother, Melvin DeJesus. Nixon and Poole were exonerated in 2021, while the DeJesus brothers were exonerated in 2022. The event will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Warner’s Grand Rapids office, 150 Ottawa Ave. NW. Seating is limited. Attendees must register in advance online. “Our commitment to helping those wrongfully convicted has been and will continue to be the cornerstone of our work,” said Tracey Brame, director of Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project. “It is important we work within local communities to raise awareness for the estimated 975 innocent individuals who are locked up every year.” Established in 2001, the Cooley Law School Innocence Project is the only post-conviction DNA innocence organization in the state. Since its inception, the office has screened over 6,000 cases and is responsible for the exoneration of eight individuals: Kenneth Wyniemko (2003), Nathaniel Hatchett (2008), Donya Davis (2014), LeDura Watkins (2017), Corey McCall (2021), Nixon, Poole and DeJesus. It also helped to exonerate Lacino Hamilton and Ramon Ward, both in 2020, and Terance Calhoun and Melvin DeJesus, both in 2022. “We are proud to host this event and support the work of Cooley's Innocence Project to create change and impact the lives of those our justice system has wronged,” said Warner Partner Christopher E. Tracy. “We look forward to the experiences and insights the panelists will share as we collectively strive to raise awareness and create a lasting impact on the lives of those who have been wrongly convicted.” The project is staffed by Cooley Law School students, who work under the supervision of Cooley Innocence Project attorneys. Those interested in donating and supporting the work of the Cooley Innocence Project can DONATE HERE. In its 10th year, Wrongful Conviction Day began as an effort of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of organizations dedicated to providing pro-bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted, working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions and supporting the exonerated after they are freed. Registration for the free event on Oct. 2 is available ONLINE. Limited seating available. Sep 20 2023

Cooley Law School Student Bar Association Hosts "Old Hollywood" Barrister's Ball

Cooley Law School’s Lansing Student Bar Association held its 33rd annual Barristers’ Ball on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Eli and Edy Broad Art Museum in East Lansing. The Barristers’ Ball is an opportunity for students and legal professionals to network and socialize with others from the community. Nearly 150 law students, faculty, staff, attorneys and business leaders attended the “Old Hollywood”-themed formal black-tie optional event. All funds raised went back to the Cooley’s Student Bar Association in Lansing. Pictured from left to right are: Ramon Garcia, Alex Siao, Norelle Miranda, Francesca Camacho, and Samantha Hulliberger. Pictured from left to right are: Sukayna Almusawi, Cooley Law School Professor Emily Horvath, and Elizabeth Tobias. Pictured from left to right are: Kristin Babbie, Ramon Garcia, Hannah Murphy, and Slade Stafford. Noah and Juliana Bowers attend the 33rd annual Barristers’ Ball on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Eli and Edy Broad Art Museum in East Lansing. Cooley President James McGrath (right) enjoyed the 33rd annual Barristers’ Ball at the Eli and Edy Broad Art Museum with his family. Oct 12 2023

Professor Beery Joins Statewide Discussion on the Impact of the Supreme Court's Recent Ruling on Affirmative Action

On Friday, Oct. 27, Cooley Constitutional Law Professor Brendan Beery joined Kristina Bilowus, assistant director at MSU College of Law, and Delicia Taylor Coleman, president of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, as a panelist during Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s roundtable discussion Diversity Equity & Inclusion: The Future of Affirmative Action for Law Schools Beyond the Supreme Court’s Ruling. During the session, panelists discussed the potential impact of the recent Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action and its potential impact and implications for law schools, firms, courts, and the legal profession as a whole. By a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court ruled that admissions programs used by the University of North Carolina and Harvard College violated the Constitution’s equal protection clause, which bars racial discrimination by government entities. "In upholding an affirmative action program at University of Michigan Law School [in 2003], The Court, per Justice O'Connor, planted what I call an ink bomb in the opinion, saying that hopefully, in 25 years, these programs won't be necessary anymore,” said Beery. “So, it seems Justice O'Connor thought it would take 25 years to solve a 400-year problem. This was an obvious invitation for the court to revisit the issue, and the Court just took up that invitation." The discussion also included steps for creating more inclusivity within small and mid-size firms and a question-and-answer session regarding best practices for allowing individuals to bring their whole selves to work considering the changing landscape in the field of law. Oct 30 2023

Cooley Law School Hosts Michigan Indigent Defense Commission

In partnership with Cooley Law School, the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs met on Tuesday, Oct. 24, for a ceremony hosted on Cooley’s Lansing campus. While the event celebrated the 10-year anniversary of MIDC, LARA Acting Director Marlon Brown also signed into action two additional minimum standards for representing indigent defendants, Standards 6 and 7. Standard 6 limits an individual public defender to 150 felonies or 400 misdemeanor cases per year, so that attorneys have adequate time to prepare and effectively represent each client, while Standard 7 establishes a minimum standard of qualifications and review for public defenders consistent with the MIDC Act’s requirement that “defense counsel’s ability, training, and experience match the nature and complexity of the case to which he or she is appointed.” The ceremony included remarks from Brown, MIDC Executive Director Kristen Staley, MIDC Chair Christine Green, Ingham County Judge Tom Boyd, and Cooley Associate Dean Tracey Brame. It also included LARA Deputy Director Adam Sandoval. Local defense attorneys and Cooley students filled the audience, with a Q&A portion of the ceremony offering insight to the new minimum standards. “We are expanding the resources that are available to criminal defense attorneys,” said Green. “We are very lucky to have some very courageous criminal defense attorneys in Michigan. Even before we had the standards and the funds with which to carry out the standards, we had some very brave folks who worked for practically nothing. Now we’re expanding the resources available and we’re helping to fill the enormous responsibility that the state has delegated to the local units of government.” Before the signing, Brown added: “Today marks a significant milestone in the life of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, and the work that they are doing. The work of the MIDC is vitally important, and it’s important because we all benefit from a justice system that provides a fair trial to every person facing criminal charges within this state.” Brame, also the director of the Cooley Innocence Project, spoke on the significance of the standards in relation to her work with the Innocence Project. “This work is, of course, important to any defendants across the state,” said Brame. “It’s particularly relevant to our work because the better representation our clients have at the trial level coming into the system, the less likely it is that they’ll be wrongfully convicted, and we won’t have to spend years trying to undo the wrongful convictions.” “I believe the program is so important because there is a need in the community, and not only in the community but also statewide,” said Cooley student Jennel Davoren, who attended the event. “Programs like these are so extraordinary because they help to fill in some of the gaps within the legal system.” “We’re finally getting to the place where we’ve always been supposed to be,” said Staley. “There’s still work to do, but we’re in a much better place than we ever were before.” Featured left to right, MIDC Executive Director Kristen Staley, Cooley Associate Dean Tracey Brame, Commission Chair Christine Green, Marlon Brown, LARA Deputy Director Adam Sandoval, and Judge Tom Boyd. Seated in the center, Acting Director of LARA Marlon Brown. Oct 26 2023

Maintaining the Vision of Freedom, Justice, and Equity Discussed During Community Conversation MLK Day Commemoration

On January 16, Dr. Joseph H. Silver Sr., past president of Alabama State University, led Cooley Law School’s Community Conversation commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Silver, who is currently president of Silver and Associates, a full-service higher education consulting firm, discussed the meaning of the title of his presentation, “Maintaining the Vision of Freedom, Justice, and Equity,” and looked at reasons why it is difficult for our society to achieve those goals. During the presentation, Silver tackled various systemic issues in relation to the celebration of Dr. King’s commemoration and challenged attendees to focus on what they can do as individuals. “All over America, folk engage in the celebration of Martin Luther King Day, and the question I constantly ask myself is, ‘what happens the day after?’ If we truly celebrated what MLK stood for, we would not have the evening news full of mass killings, or young people killing each other. If we truly celebrated MLK day, we would not have abject poverty and the large number of homelessness that we see in this country,” said Silver. “We would not tolerate the white supremacy that we see existing in this country and the rampant voter suppression we see on a daily basis.” Silver answered a number of questions and responded to comments from those in attendance including, unequal funding for law schools in the state of Alabama, how young people can act using the four pillars (equality, love, justice, and solidarity), and the inability for schools to consider race in college admissions. “I think you guys are in a great position to address these issues,” said Silver. “You are students of the law, you are law professors, you are community lawyers, and you know the law. So, my challenge is, why not use that knowledge of the law that you have for good. Why don’t we begin to challenge what we know is wrong?” Silver is the Chair of the Higher Education Committee for the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and serves as a mentor for the next generations of scholars and leaders in higher education, business, and in the community. He is the author of several publications in political science and higher education and is the immediate past chair of the Governing Council of the African University College of Communication in Ghana, Africa. Silver is also chair of the International Board of Trustees of the Pan-African Heritage World Museum. WATCH THE MLK DAY COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON YOUTUBE ### About Cooley Law School: Cooley Law School was founded on a mission of equal access to a legal education and offers admission to a diverse group of qualified applicants across the country. Since the law school's founding in 1972, Cooley has provided a modern legal education to more than 21,000 graduates, teaching the practical skills necessary for a seamless transition from academia to the real world. An independent, non-profit law school, accredited by both the American Bar Association and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Cooley holds classes year-round at its Michigan and Florida campuses. Jan 17 2024

Cooley Tampa Bay Honors High Achievers

WMU-Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus held an honors convocation on July 13. The convocation recognizes students enrolled in the law school’s summer term for their achievements. Christina Sabella, who is from Tampa and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, was presented with the Leadership Achievement Award. Sabella was recognized for consistently, comprehensively, and effectively providing leadership in a variety of capacities. She has served as a member of Cooley’s Florida Association for Women Lawyers Student Chapter, Student Bar Association senator, and public relations director for the Student Bar Association. Zhanna Mendolia, who was originally from the Russian Federation, was presented with the Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award. The award is given to selected graduating students based on academic accomplishments, professionalism and ethics, demonstrated leadership at WMU-Cooley, meaningful extracurricular activities, and post-graduation plans. The recipients are selected by the past presidents and executive committee of the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association. The recipients were presented with a diploma frame from the law school. Jul 21 2023

Professor Mark Cooney Coauthors Legal-Writing Casebook

Professor Mark Cooney, chair of Cooley Law School’s Research and Writing Department, and University of Arizona College of Law Professor Diana Simon, a prolific author and veteran writing professor, have coauthored a legal-writing casebook titled “The Case for Effective Legal Writing: Court Opinions, Commentary, and Exercises.” Published by Carolina Academic Press, the book collects and comments on court cases in which writing technique determined the outcome, or was otherwise significant. “This appears to be the first of its kind,” said Cooney. “The casebook format brings the courthouse to the legal-writing classroom, connecting writing technique to real-world consequences.” The book project allowed the authors to explore their shared fascination with the practical implications of writing style and technique. The text touches on ethics, civility, plain language, legalese, verbosity, and even grammar and punctuation. Cooney said that he was confident in the idea’s promise from the outset. “When Professor Simon approached me with the idea, I took to it immediately. We’d worked together before, and I’d authored an article ten years earlier that was fashioned as a miniature casebook. It all fell together seamlessly.” Professors Cooney and Simon will give more insight on the book in an upcoming Law School Lounge podcast, presented by Carolina Academic Press. Apr 05 2024

Cooley Law School Innocence Project Leaders Present at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Spring Symposium

Ann M. Garant, Cooley Law School Innocence Project managing attorney, and Marla Mitchell-Cichon, distinguished professor emeritus and counsel to the Cooley Law School Innocence Project, were asked to present at the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School 2024 Spring Symposium on April 4. They spoke with Robyn Frankel, director of the Michigan Attorney General’s Conviction Integrity Unit; and Kia Hayes and Taylor Migliori from the Quattrone Center about collaborations between Innocence Organizations and Conviction Integrity Units. 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. It is the only post-conviction DNA innocence organization in Michigan. Since its inception, 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. Additionally, the Cooley Innocence Project also helped to exonerate Lacino Hamilton, Ramon Ward, Terance Calhoun, and Crystal Mulherin. Photo: Pictured from left to right: Garant, Frankel, Migliori, Hayes, and Mitchel-Cichon at the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School 2024 Spring Symposium on April 4. Apr 15 2024

Cooley Law School Innocence Project Hosts Wrongful Conviction Panel Discussion Featuring Four Exonerees at Alpena Community College

Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project partnered with Alpena Community College on April 11 to host a panel discussion, “The Impact of Wrongful Conviction: An Exoneree Panel Discussion.” The panel featured exonerees Eric Anderson, Marvin Cotton, Ken Nixon, and Gilbert Poole. Those in attendance were able to hear first-hand accounts of flaws within Michigan’s criminal justice system, which led to the four men’s wrongful convictions and imprisonment and their difficult roads to exonerations. Ann Garant, managing attorney for the Cooley Law School Innocence Project, facilitated the event. “Growing up I was tricked, that our criminal legal system was perfect, that America was perfect, and that when individuals stand before a court, they’re guilty and they deserve whatever punishment comes to them,” said Anderson. “However, we’ve experienced that that’s not the truth. I’m a victim of it, and I was sick of being the victim, so that motivated me to fight it.” A major topic covered in the panel were the causes of wrongful conviction, many of which could be attributed to the exonerees’ cases. The issues include government misconduct, faulty or lack of forensic testing, ineffective assistance of counsel, and false confessions. “We stepped into a world where the Michigan legal system treats you better if you were guilty and on parole than if you were innocent,” said Nixon. “People on parole had access to resources that the government had to provide. They had to provide you access to certain things in order for you to stay out of trouble and be successful on the road. Well, we didn’t fit that stigma.” Nixon pointed out that without government support, it’s near impossible for exonerees to receive proper documentation and reenter society. This led to the creation of the Organization of Exonerees, whose purpose is to make the reintegration process easier and create a bridge between resources. “We’ve been able to build up a lot of resources from our own experiences. We can speak from experience when we walk into a room and explain to someone why having access to a birth certificate is extremely important,” said Nixon, who is president of the organization. “It’s a bit different, and I think with the Organization of Exonerees, it has built a camaraderie amongst us. We can speak about things amongst each other that no one else completely understands.” 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. It is the only post-conviction DNA innocence organization in Michigan. Since its inception, 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. Additionally, the Cooley Innocence Project also helped to exonerate Lacino Hamilton, Ramon Ward, Terance Calhoun, and Crystal Mulherin. Anderson was exonerated on April 30, 2019, after nine years in prison. Cotton was exonerated on Oct. 1, 2020, after 20 years in prison. Nixon was exonerated on Feb. 18, 2021, after 15 years in prison. Poole was exonerated on May 26, 2021, after 32 years in prison. “I wanted to reach out to communities to spread awareness to people who might not know about this,” Garant told those attending the panel. “It’s not just a Detroit issue. It’s not just a larger-city issue. There are wrongful convictions everywhere that happen every day.” From left to right, Marvin Cotton, Kenneth Nixon, Ann Garant, Eric Anderson, and Gilbert Poole Apr 21 2024

Cooley Law School Holds Fall Honors Convocation in Tampa Bay