News (11)

Cooley Law School Holds Spring Commencement for Tampa Bay Campus

Graduates of Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus were honored during a commencement ceremony at its Campus Auditorium on April 19. Twenty-seven juris doctor degrees and master of laws degrees were presented to members of Cooley Law School’s Justice Antonin Scalia class. Chosen by their peers, Vivian Katwaroo and Ahmad Saifi gave the class farewell remarks. The Hon. Jalal A. Harb of Florida’s 10th Judicial Court delivered the keynote speech. “Today, as we stand on the brink of a new chapter in our lives, let us embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead with determination and enthusiasm,” Katwaroo said in her remarks. “Let us treasure this moment, celebrate our achievements, and look forward to the limitless possibilities that await us. This may be the end of our law school experience as students, but this is not the end of our journey to becoming excellent legal professionals. There is no doubt that each and every one of you will greatly impact and make our marks on the legal field no matter where our careers take us.” “Many of us have aspirations that allowed us to go to law school. Whether it be the change in the system, defending your religion or race and/or being the voice of those who want to be heard, I implore you to never lose track of that because that’s what separates a good lawyer from an amazing lawyer,” Saifi said in his remarks. “The job isn’t done, it’s just getting started.” In his keynote address, Judge Harb spoke on his own experience at Cooley Law School, sharing how Cooley taught him to be prepared, transparent and disclose to instructors if you’re not ready for assignments. He also explained that lawyers must be prepared, be civil and profession, and maintain integrity. “Good lawyers prepare their cases – you must be prepared. If you’re not prepared, your client is going to see it – your opponent is going to see that. If you’re in a jury trial, the jury is going to see that. And if you are before the court, the judge is going to see that. Do your research,” he advised the graduates. “Dear graduates, you have made a significant accomplishment. We are proud of you. Go out there and make your family and friends proud. Go out there and make Cooley proud. Dear graduates, I hope to see you in court.” Each Cooley Law School class is named for a distinguished member of the legal profession. The commencement ceremony for Cooley’s spring graduating class honors U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Antonin Scalia, who graduated valedictorian three times (high school, Georgetown University, and Harvard Law School), worked as a commercial law attorney for six years before becoming an administrative law professor at the University of Virginia in 1967. Four years later, he was appointed as general counsel for the Office of Telecommunications Policy by President Richard Nixon, where he served as chairman for the U.S. Administration Conference from 1972-1974. Nixon then nominated Scalia for assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel. Following Nixon’s resignation, President Gerald Ford sustained the nomination and Scalia was confirmed by Senate vote in August 1974. Three years later, Scalia returned to teaching and joined the faculty at University of Chicago Law School. He taught at Chicago until 1982 when President Ronald Reagan nominated him for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, where he served from 1982-1986. Scalia joined the U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 26, 1986, filling a vacancy left by Justice William Rehnquist, and served for 30 years. Graduates of Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus were honored during a commencement ceremony at its Campus Auditorium on April 19. Pictured from left to right: Cooley President and Dean James McGrath, Ahmad Saifi of Cooley’s Antonin Scalia class, Cooley Professor Christine Church, Vivian Katwaroo of Cooley’s Antonin Scalia class, and the Hon. Jalal A. Harb of Florida’s 10th Judicial Court. Graduates of Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus were honored during a commencement ceremony at its Campus Auditorium on April 19. Graduates of Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus were honored during a commencement ceremony at its Campus Auditorium on April 19. Pictured from left to right: Ahmad Saifi of Cooley’s Antonin Scalia class, Cooley Professor Christine Church, and Vivian Katwaroo of Cooley’s Antonin Scalia class. Cooley Law School President and Dean James McGrath provides the welcome address during the university’s Tampa Bay campus spring commencement ceremony at its Campus Auditorium on April 19. Apr 24 2024

Cooley Law School Holds Spring Commencement for Lansing Campus

Graduates of Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus were honored during a commencement ceremony at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing on April 22. Forty-four juris degrees and master of laws degrees were presented to members of Cooley Law School’s Justice Antonin Scalia class. Chosen by his peers, Adam Kimball gave the class farewell remarks. Professor and Associate Dean Tonya Krause-Phelan delivered the keynote speech. “We’re all so fortunate to have the competitive, yet inclusive and community-centered atmosphere that we nourished at Cooley,” Kimball said in his farewell address. “By the end, I think we all would agree, we, through the instruction we received and through our collective efforts, learned to be skilled and passionate lawyers. My classmates and I are going to exhibit integrity in everything we do. We’re going to be compassionate lawyers in our communities, wherever we may roam. We’re going to be seekers of justice and professionals who overcome the impossible for the people we care about. And we are always going to carry the memories from Cooley – the place that encouraged us to work together, stay true to ourselves, and create whatever reality we want in our legal pursuits.” In his welcome address, Cooley Law School President and Dean James McGrath told the gradates: “It’s fitting on this day, your graduation day, to recognize that we’re not just graduates of law, but we’re stewards of justice and advocates for change. As future lawyers, you have the unique opportunity and a profound duty to leverage your skills and knowledge to advocate for justice. You can use your legal skills in many ways to create a better world. The legal profession is more than just a career. It’s a calling. A calling to serve as a guardian of justice, a champion of equality, and advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. As you embark on your journey as legal professionals, I urge you to embrace this calling with a deep sense of purpose and commitment.” During the commencement address, Cooley Law School Professor and Associate Dean Tonya Krause-Phelan shared how the students are graduating at a time when the legal profession is evolving at a daily pace, which will present them with great opportunities and challenges. “You are not just students, but you are the torchbearers of this noble legal profession,” she told the graduates. “Today, as you step in the world with your degree, we pass the torch to each of you. We entrust you with the responsibility to uphold the values and principles of our beloved legal profession. It’s been an honor to witness your growth and your accomplishments and we look forward to seeing the great things that you will achieve in the future. Now go out there and make history.” Each Cooley Law School class is named for a distinguished member of the legal profession. The commencement ceremony for Cooley’s spring graduating class honors U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Antonin Scalia, who graduated valedictorian three times (high school, Georgetown University, and Harvard Law School), worked as a commercial law attorney for six years before becoming an administrative law professor at the University of Virginia in 1967. Four years later, he was appointed as general counsel for the Office of Telecommunications Policy by President Richard Nixon, where he served as chairman for the U.S. Administration Conference from 1972-1974. Nixon then nominated Scalia for assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel. Following Nixon’s resignation, President Gerald Ford sustained the nomination and Scalia was confirmed by Senate vote in August 1974. Three years later, Scalia returned to teaching and joined the faculty at University of Chicago Law School. He taught at Chicago until 1982 when President Ronald Reagan nominated him for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, where he served from 1982-1986. Scalia joined the U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 26, 1986, filling a vacancy left by Justice William Rehnquist, and served for 30 years. Pictured from left to right: Cooley Professor and Associate Dean Tonya Krause-Phelan, graduate Adam Kimball, and Cooley President and Dean James McGrath. Chosen by his peers, Adam Kimball gives the class farewell remarks during Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus commencement ceremony at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing. Cooley Professor and Associate Dean Tonya Krause-Phelan delivers the commencement address during the university’s Lansing campus commencement ceremony. May 02 2024

Cooley Law School Hosts Law Day Celebration "Voices of Democracy"

On Wednesday, May 1, Cooley Law School celebrated Law Day 2024 with a virtual event, featuring Colin Maguire, a Cooley Law School adjunct professor and assistant chief counsel with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Maguire, who was the keynote speaker for Cooley’s event, shared his perspective on this year’s Law Day theme, Voices of Democracy. Maguire noted that he attended the event in his personal capacity and as an adjunct professor, explaining the views expressed in his remarks were his own and not those of the Department of Homeland Security. “We are almost singularly unique in our First Amendment protections, which protect the voices of our democracy,” said Maguire. “When someone says I'm in favor of free speech, but … That should really raise the haunches of our American spirit of democracy. “The First Amendment to me was designed to protect difficult speech,” Maguire continued. “It is divisive – the First Amendment is more important than ever in a divisive world, and that we are able to express ourselves, and it is used as an outlet for us to engage in civil discussion in a civil society. "It's very important that people can express their views, and that people have a release valve to be able to express themselves, even if that speech is offensive to someone else.” Law Day, is a national day to celebrate the rule of law. Held annually on May 1, Law Day provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all U.S. citizens share. During Law Day, Cooley students and staff joined others throughout the country in advancing the legal profession as a “Voice of Democracy” and demonstrate that Cooley is committed to being an agent for positive change in our communities and the legal profession. May 03 2024

Cooley Law School's Howard Soifer Lecture Series to Feature Tampa Bay Buccaneer Players

Cooley Law School will host Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Lineman William Gholston and Running Back Rachaad White during the 13th annual Howard Soifer Memorial Lecture in Sports and Entertainment Law at its Tampa Bay campus on May 21. The free event will take place from 12:30-2:00 p.m.; guests are encouraged to REGISTER HERE. Gholston, a former All-Big Ten Player for Michigan State University, and White, who played football at Arizona State University, will join Steven Fantetti, Cooley Law School graduate and president and founder of Athlete Empowerment Agency LLC and owner of Fantetti Legal LLC, as featured speakers who will discuss, “Athlete Empowerment and the Ever-Changing Landscape of the Intersection of Business and Sports.” The Howard Soifer Memorial Lecture is held annually to celebrate the memory of Howard Soifer, a 1977 graduate of Cooley Law School, along with his passion for sports and his legacy as an outstanding attorney, educator, mentor, and colleague. The event is held in collaboration with the Sports And Entertainment Law Society. Previous Soifer Memorial Lecture speakers include T.J. Duckett, former running back in the National Football League; Tom Izzo, Michigan State University men’s basketball coach; Kevin Poston, president and CEO of Detroit-area based DEAL Elite Athletic Management; Steve Smith, broadcaster and former NBA all-star basketball player; and Steve Garvey, former Major League Baseball all-star and MVP. Soifer (1949–2003) was an avid sports fan and represented several prominent professional athletes during his career as a shareholder with Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C. Soifer was grateful for his legal education at Cooley Law School and his family, friends and partners endowed the lecture series in his memory. The event is free. However, guests are encouraged to pre-register here: REGISTRATION: The event is free. However, guests are encouraged to PRE-REGISTER HERE. WHEN: Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 12:30-2:00 p.m. WHERE: Cooley Law School – Tampa Bay Campus, 9445 Camden Field Pkwy, Riverview, FL 33578 Steven Fantetti, Cooley Law School graduate and president and founder of Athlete Empowerment Agency LLC and owner of Fantetti Legal LLC. Tampa Bay Buccaneer Defensive Lineman William Gholston. Tampa Bay Buccaneer Running Back Rachaad White. May 08 2024

Cooley Law School Signs Lease For New Tampa Bay Campus

Cooley Law School has finalized plans to move its Tampa Bay campus to the Tampa Oaks area of Temple Terrace, Florida, close to downtown Tampa. Cooley’s campus will occupy part of the first floor and the entire second floor of the Tampa Oaks II building located at 12906 Tampa Oaks Blvd., which is near the University of South Florida, other higher education institutions, and the I-75 corridor between Fletcher and Fowler Avenues. Earlier this year, Cooley entered into an agreement to sell its current campus to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Cooley is leasing back the current campus at 9445 Camden Field Pkwy, in Riverview, until construction at Tampa Oaks II is complete. Cooley’s new Tampa Bay campus is in close proximity to two apartment complexes and a Hilton Garden Inn providing attractive housing options for the school’s diverse mix of full and part-time students. Construction within the Tampa Oaks II building is expected to start soon. Renovations are expected to be completed in time for the start of the law school’s January 2025 semester. “As Cooley Law School looks ahead to the future, we want to make sure our campus fits the needs of our students and faculty,” said Cooley President and Dean James McGrath. “As part of our mission of being a law school of access, it was important to find a location that is accessible and functional for the students we serve. We have worked with students, faculty, and staff to identify aspects important for a law school campus as Cooley continues to educate lawyers who are future ready.” In addition to classrooms, the new campus will provide improved student- and faculty-focused amenities, such as appellate and trial courtrooms, a law library, and space for the law school’s law clinics. Once built out, the facility will include study rooms and ample study space, a welcome center, student lounge, student organization offices, faculty and staff offices and on-site parking. Lisa Coulter and Lee Winter with JLL, Jones Lang LaSalle, a global real estate and investment management services provider, represented Cooley with the sale of the current campus and the lease at Tampa Oaks II. “After careful search and inspection of other campus options, we were delighted to find the perfect location, size and layout for Cooley Law School’s new campus at Tampa Oaks II,” said Coulter. Cooley will lease the new campus from ESF Properties 22-01, LLC. Additional tenants of the Tampa Oaks Professional Park include HomeRiver Group, Fieldstone A&E and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. May 08 2024

Cooley Law School Student Receives the 2024 National Association of Women Lawyers' Outstanding Student Award

Cooley Law School student Michelle Guzman was recently named a 2024 Outstanding Law Student by the National Association of Women Lawyers. She was nominated by Cooley Professor Joseline Hardrick for her contributions to advancing women in society and the legal profession, academic achievements, and leadership. Guzman will be recognized during the law school’s Honors Convocation in July. “Michelle’s exceptional journey from the military to the legal profession, underscored by her unwavering commitment to advancing women’s roles in society and the legal field, makes her an exemplary candidate for this prestigious accolade,” Hardrick said of Guzman in her nomination letter. “Her ability to balance academic excellence with extracurricular leadership and community service is commendable. I am confident she will continue to inspire and significantly contribute to the legal community.” Before joining Cooley, Guzman lived in Coamo, Puerto Rico, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in human resources management from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. Her collegiate journey was marked by active involvement in the Mu Alpha Phi Sorority and an internship with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) in Washington, DC. Opting for a career in cybersecurity with the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Guzman received the Air Force Reserve Meritorious Service Medal and was recognized as the 2018 Airman of the Quarter and Outstanding Airman of the Year. While at Cooley, Guzman has served as Hispanic Organization of Legal Advocates president, 3L Senator for the Student Bar Association and the Diversity & Inclusion Chair, and volunteered with Cooley Law School’s Debt Relief Clinic. The National Association of Women Lawyers’ Outstanding Law Student Award recognizes third-year law students who are nominated by a faculty member of their respective law school. Nominees must meet the following criteria: contribute to the advancement of women in society, promote issues and concerns of women in the legal profession; exhibit motivation, tenacity, and enthusiasm; demonstrate high academic achievement; and earn the respect of their colleagues. Guzman will be recognized in the Women Lawyers Journal and will receive complimentary registration to NAWL's annual meeting in July. May 08 2024

Cooley Law School Celebrates Pride Month in June with Community Conversation Event

Cooley Law School will recognize Pride Month in June with a Community Conversation virtual event held on June 13. Rickie Kreuzer, a Cooley student and founder of the Chosen Family of Michigan organization, where he serves as executive director & board president, will speak about the important work of LGBTQ+ advocacy. When: Monday, June 13, 2023, Noon JOIN THE VIRTUAL 6/13 EVENT HERE Kreuzer was a field supervisor in a Fortune 500 company prior to transitioning into advocacy and politics. He began in LGBTQ+ advocacy for the Human Rights Campaign, followed by voter education with the League of Conservation Voters, and was a relational organizer for Michigan United/Michigan People's Campaign while leading the LGBTQ+ initiatives during the 2020 general election. He serves as the board secretary for the American Red Cross of Southwest Michigan and chairs the organization’s DEI Committee. Kreuzer serves on the Michigan HIV/AIDS Council’s Policy & Advocacy Committee. In 2022, Kreuzer was appointed by Governor Whitmer with Senate consent to the State Board of Nursing. In 2023, Kreuzer was asked by the director of the bureau of HIV/STI Programs at MDHHS to lend his expertise by joining the Medicaid HIV Quality Improvement Policy Group as a consultant. Kreuzer previously held a teaching permit, has assisted in HR consulting, and has hosted many events and workshops throughout his career. May 17 2024

Cooley Law School Student Wins the 2024 Association of Corporate Counsel Michigan Chapter Scholarship for Academic Excellence in Corporate and Business Classes

Cooley Law School student Catherine Gagnon was selected as the 2024 winner of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Michigan Chapter Scholarship for Academic Excellence in Corporate and Business Classes. She will be honored as the $3,000 scholarship recipient during the ACC award ceremony later this spring. As part of of the ACC’s mission of encouraging law students to consider careers in corporate legal department, the ACC Michigan Chapter selected Gagnon for the scholarship based on demonstrating academic achievement, particularly in business-law related classes. Since its inception in 1983, the Michigan Chapter of ACC has grown from an initial group of about 35 to more than 600 attorneys serving as general counsel, assistant general counsel and corporate counsel to automotive companies, financial institutions, health care providers, utilities, retailers, science and technology companies, and educational institutions throughout Michigan. The chapter’s offerings include: continuing legal education, opportunities to network with other in-house attorneys, and advocacy on behalf of the profession. May 21 2024

WLAM Scholarships Awarded

Three Cooley Law School students were named as recipients of scholarships from the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) Foundation. Cooley Law School students who were each presented $3,500 scholarships on May 31 included Codie Drake, a Jean Ledwith King Scholar sponsored by the members of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan; Samantha Hulliberger, who is a Dobrusin Law Firm Scholar sponsored by The Dobrusin Law Firm; and Sukayana Almusawi, a Masco Corporation Scholar, sponsored by Masco Corporation. The foundation selects the recipients based on their endeavors to advance women’s roles in essential areas of the law, including STEM, social justice, equality, child advocacy, and domestic violence. The WLAM Foundation has awarded over $824,500 to more than 307 law students since 1997. “It is an honor for our students to be leaders in advancing women’s roles in law,” said Karen Poole, Cooley Law School’s director of career and professional development. “I cannot think of any better candidates than Codie, Samantha, and Sukayana. They continually share their enthusiasm for social causes through their involvement outside the classroom.” Pictured: Cooley Law School students were named recipients of scholarships from the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) Foundation on May 31. Pictured (left-right) Sukayana Almusawi, Samantha Hulliberger, and Codie Drake. Jun 03 2024

Cooley Law School Holds Fall Honors Convocation in Tampa Bay