News (7)

All-Women Naturalization Ceremony Held at Cooley Law School

On March 3, 2023, in celebration of Women’s History Month, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Florida held an All-Women Naturalization Ceremony at Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus on Friday. The ceremony, which included the Oath of Allegiance, was the final step to citizenship for 55 candidates. “What these ladies have already accomplished by getting to this place is remarkable,” said Cooley Assistant Dean Katherine Gustafson. “The distances they have traveled, the obstacles they have overcome, and the efforts they have made to put down roots here should always be sources of pride and of satisfaction to them and their families.” The 55 citizenship candidates originate from 30 countries: Albania, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Latvia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Venezuela and Vietnam. “This is the American Dream. The American Dream is not about money, or a house, but it is the opportunity to be an American while being able to keep your culture,” added Gustafson. “Now, these women are just as American as their neighbors who were born here, just as American as those who trace their lineage to the Mayflower, or just as American as those whose ancestors served at Gettysburg or Valley Forge.” U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda Sansone of the Middle District of Florida administered the oath this afternoon. The Oath of Allegiance has led to American citizenship for more than 220 years. Mar 04 2023

WMU-Cooley Lansing Campus Holds Spring Commencement

Graduates of WMU-Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus were honored during a graduation ceremony on April 8, at Michigan State University’s Wharton Center. Fifty juris doctor degrees and six master of laws degrees were conferred to members of the law school’s Joseph McKenna Class. Hannah Leah Ortiz was chosen by her peers to present the valedictory remarks. Presenting the keynote address was John S. Brennan, son of WMU-Cooley founder Thomas E. Brennan Sr. A former WMU-Cooley professor, John Brennan is now a partner at Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes. During the valedictory remarks, Ortiz thanked the law school’s faculty for educating the members of the graduating class, challenging them, and questioning their life’s choices. She shared how fear helped her and members of the graduating class get through law school. “It’s not about what we’ve been through, but what we’ve overcome. Your past is not your identity. It is your preparation. The fear is the preparation. The fear of waiting for a final grade, or whether the exam software will work, or if you will be called on by a professor,” said Ortiz. “I would think often that I just need to stop, stop law school and say to myself ‘what am I doing, why am I here.’ I know many of you have the same feelings, that was your fear. I realized it isn’t right to make our goals smaller. We should be making our goals bigger. Don’t let the fear stop you. Everything we want is on the other side of fear. The grit, the persistence, and the fortitude it takes to become a lawyer is evident as only .36 percent of the population are lawyers. That means that we did it.” Brennan shared examples of why individuals should not only “hold onto hope, but increase hope.” “You are about to embark on a fulfilling and successful career in law,” said Brennan. He shared inspirational stories of success about former law students who have stayed in touch with him since they graduated from WMU-Cooley. While sharing their stories he noted five traits that each former student has in common. “One, they were all ambitious. That is a word that some people feel is bad, but it is not. Without ambition, Cooley Law School would have never been founded. It means you want to better yourself. Two, each of them have a passion for the law. They love being lawyers. Being a lawyer is not a job for them, it is a calling. Number three, they were not afraid to ask for help. They got that help by developing real relationships and friendship. You do not become a success by isolating. Number four, they persevered. They lost cases or lost elections, but that did not deflate them. They learned from the losses and used that knowledge strategically. The last and most important quality they share is that they are humble. They know who they are, where they came from, know they are still learning, and they appreciate that there are others that are more talented, smarter, or better positioned than they are. Instead of letting that bring them down they celebrate the success of others and are inspired by it to bring success to themselves.” Each WMU-Cooley Law School class is named for a distinguished member of the legal profession. The commencement ceremony for WMU-Cooley’s spring 2023 graduating class honors Justice Joseph McKenna. As a young child McKenna’s family moved from Philadelphia to California. At the age of 15, his father passed away. As the Civil War raged far away from California, he and his mother worked to keep their bakery afloat while McKenna studied law at the Benicia Collegiate Institute. He graduated from the law department in 1864. In 1865 he was admitted to the California Bar and within six months he was elected to the position of Solano County district attorney. In the mid-1870s, he won a seat in the California legislature. In 1885, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he won passage of legislation extending railroad land grants, and improving port facilities. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison appointed McKenna to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where he served for five years until he was nominated as Attorney General by President McKinley. A year later McKinley nominated McKenna to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. He was the last justice to take a seat on the Supreme Court in the 19th century. He retired from the bench in 1925. WATCH THE COMMENCEMENT Apr 11 2023

WMU-Cooley Law School Graduates Host Bar Panel Discussion

WMU-Cooley Law School hosted a Bar Panel Discussion on June 15, featuring five graduates of the law school who recently passed the Florida Bar Exam. During the event, the panelists discussed a variety of topics, including how to study for the exam, prep courses, simulation days, and the value of having a professor mentor to help students prepare for the exam. “The Florida Bar exam is very passable, but requires a dedicated, focused commitment,” said WMU-Cooley Law School graduate and panelist Jim Johnson. “Studying for the bar exam is a marathon, not a sprint. Like a marathon, be sure you can go the distance, and prepare not only for the content, but also simulate and undertake the conditions of the bar exam.” Karen Smithman, Esquire, who moderated the panel discussion, shared: “It’s important to be prepared for every possible subject on the bar exam because you never know what subject will be on the test. I suggest taking a few bar classes when you are in law school. Family Law, Florida Evidence, Constitutional Law, Civil and Criminal Procedure are all testable on the bar exam and can be too much to learn for the first time when studying for the bar. Higher GPAs often correlate to a higher possibility of passing the bar – presumably because it means you learned it well the first time and now you only need to review.” Smithman explained studying for the bar is a strenuous marathon, and can affect one’s mental health. “Taking regular exercise breaks, getting enough sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet are essential for releasing tension and stress. Our brains need intermittent breaks to absorb the complex exam information and our bodies need time to recoup from the intense preparation,” she told the group. “If you are working, try reducing your hours while preparing for the exam, if possible. Otherwise, deferring to the next bar administration is another option if you feel you need additional time to prepare. Also, lean on your family and friends to help – bring you food, run errands, clean the house — whatever you need to help you focus on studying.” Smithman also advised reviewing hundreds of multiple choice questions, practicing using a mechanical pencil bubbling in the answer sheet, doing full bar simulations – two back-to-back days of testing, and building up your testing endurance. She encouraged students to use their bar prep program, follow their advice, and visit the Florida Bar website to find, write or issue spot as many essay exams as possible. “You don't want to sit down and do 100 multiple choice questions in a three-hour block for the first time at the bar,” Smithman said. “Treat bar prep like a full time job – create a study schedule that works for you and put in the hours. This is not a time to procrastinate and put it off until the last couple of weeks. Bar prep is primarily a solo activity - it is very tough going even for the most successful law students. Keep your head down, stay in your seat and digest every single thing you can until the big day.” One of the most important pieces of advice Smithman shared with the group: “Having a positive mental attitude on exam day. If you walk into the bar exam feeling like you’re going to fail, that mindset will carry through with you for the entire duration of the exam. Walk in there knowing you’ve got this – because you do.” Jun 22 2023

Cooley Hosts MLK Day Community Conversation in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Past President of Alabama State University Dr. Joseph H. Silver Sr. will be the keynote presenter during Cooley Law School’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration. Silver’s presentation, Maintaining the Vision of Freedom, Justice, and Equity, is part of the law school’s Community Conversation Series. Silver is president of Silver and Associates, a full-service higher education consulting firm. For over a 25-years, the firm has assisted colleges and universities with solving complex problems, accreditation issues, and developing sound strategic planning. Before leading Alabama State University, Silver served as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs for Clark Atlanta Univeristy. He is credited with being the architect of the university’s new strategic plan and its implementation. Silver is 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. Silver is the recipient of the leadership award from the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education-LMI (AABHE-LMI) and, going forward, the award has been named the Joseph H. Silver, Leadership and Mentoring Award. A leadership award is also named in his honor at Clark Atlanta University. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from St. Augustine’s University in 2022, and was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Augustine’s University and Jarvis Christian University in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the virtual event by signing up below. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2023 Noon-1 p.m. WATCH THE EVENT ON YOUTUBE NOW Jan 08 2024

WMU-Cooley Law School Hosts Juneteenth Event

WMU-Cooley Law School held a Community Conversation event on June 19 in celebration of Juneteenth, the day which marks the end of slavery and signifies freedom for African Americans in the United States. The event featured lifelong social justice advocate, historian, author, poet, and storyteller Valada Parker Flewellyn. During the event, Flewellyn began by reading two poems, "The Storyteller" and "The Evolution of the African American," from her first book, "Poetically, Just Us." The poems reflected on the history of slavery in America, and what slavery looked like in the 1800s compared to present day with the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020. “The Emancipation Proclamation has assumed a place among the greatest documents of human freedom,” said Flewellyn, noting Floyd and Taylor’s deaths called “international attention to the ongoing racial inequities in the justice system, as well as the legacy of slavery evidenced and encounters between Black people and the police. “The public was made to clearly see how slavery took on a new form in our legal system. Mass incarceration more than 150 years after enslaved Africans and their descendants were released from bondage through ratification of the 13th Amendment, which reads, ‘Neither slave nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime, where off the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist with the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.’ That slavery exception continues to encourage massive incarceration and permits the exportation of incarcerated individuals as low-cost labor.” While the signing of Juneteenth as a national independence day by President Joe Biden in 2021 marks Juneteenth as a federal holiday, not all states recognize it as a holiday. “Juneteenth is a day of reflection, a day of renewal, a prideful day,” said Flewellyn during the event. “It is a moment in time taken to appreciate the African American experience. It is inclusive of all races, ethnicities, and nationalities. The day encourages us to keep the idea of freedom top of mind. Juneteenth represents the joy of freedom, the chance for a new beginning. Unless we expose the truth about the African American slave experience, Americans won’t truly be free. Never must we forget the people who endured one of the worst slave experiences in human history. Every American has benefitted from the wealth Blacks created through more than 200 years of free labor. Juneteenth allows us to acknowledge that debt to encourage every former slaveholding state to make Juneteenth a state holiday, recognizing that every day in America, Blacks are reminded of the legacy of slavery.” Flewellyn continued, “Even on the journey to discovery, to discovering who we are, Juneteenth allows us to reflect on where we have been, where we are and where we are going as a people. Never give up hope is the legacy that slave people left. It was this legacy that produced Black heroism in the Civil War and help launch the modern civil rights era. It is this legacy that we celebrate today to proclaim for all the world to hear that human rights must never again become subservient to property rights. History books have only told a small part of the story. Juneteenth gives us a chance to set the record straight. Flewellyn echoed the words of songwriter Solomon Burke, “And there are people still in the darkness and they just can’t see the light. If you don’t say it’s wrong, then that says it is right. We got to try to feel for each other and let our brothers know that we care. We got to get the message, send it out loud and clear: None of us are free. If one of us are chained, none of us are free. To the enslaved Black people in America, the message of freedom did not ring clear until it was transmitted to every enslaved ear. None of us are free until all of us are free.” Flewellyn is a founding member of the Alliance for Truth and Justice and an affiliate of the Equal Justice Institute. Her books include: “Poetically, Just Us” (c.1990), “Yours Truly” (c.1994), “Jack & Jill of America into the New Millennium” (c.2000), and “African Americans of Sanford,” an Arcadia Publication (c.2010). Flewellyn’s most recent publication, "For the Children: The History of Jack and Jill of America Incorporated" (c.2018), explores the history of the oldest African American family organization. The full Community Conversation can be viewed at WMU-Cooley’s YouTube Channel. Jun 23 2023

WMU-Cooley Professor Michael McDaniel Presents Keynote During Scout Day

Nearly 800 Scouts from across the state of Michigan and including the upper peninsula participated Scout Day at the Capitol on June 15. During the annual event, members of both chambers of the state legislature had the opportunity to have lunch with Scouts. Members of the House and Senate were presented with the annual Scout Report to the State. The Scouts were addressed by members of the state’s legislature. The keynote was presented by Cooley Law Professor and retired General Michael C.H. McDaniel, who is an Eagle Scout. McDaniel joined the event’s emcee Jamie Callahan in thanking the legislators, Representatives Stephanie Young and Curt VanderWal, and Senators Paul Wojno and Mark Huizenga for attending Scout Day, while noting that they were currently deep in legislative session. During his remarks, McDaniel said that the Scouts were at the Capitol to learn more about the legislative process. After briefly describing the three branches of government, McDaniel expounded on the Rule of Law, noting that it is not enough to say that no one is above the law. "It is more accurate to say that our laws apply equally to everyone,” said McDaniel. “When we say the law applies equally, we mean that our laws are enforced equally and fairly; we mean that our judges adjudicate the law equally and fairly; because 'fair and equal under the law' means that our government can show no favoritism or disregard based on rank, politics, how much money you have, skin color, ethnicity, or religion." Jun 20 2023

WMU-Cooley, MSU College of Law, host basketball event for support

On March 18, students from WMU-Cooley Law School and Michigan State University College of Law came together for a friendly basketball competition. “The game was put together to show love and support to our brothers and sisters at MSU following the shooting on Michigan State’s campus,” said WMU-Cooley student Samantha Hulliberger, who helped organize the game. The game ended with an MSU victory 66-60. Beyond the score, the game raised $500, which will be donated to the MSU counseling department. Pictured (left-right) are (front row) Samantha Hulliberger, Hannah Murphy, (back row) Jordan Houston, Adam Salomon, Benjamin Baker, Jack Beeber, Luke Stehney, George Wilson, Alex Padla, Ben Waldman, Niko Spilson, Bret Bicoy, James Wubben, John Carley, Zach Cellelo, Eli Kunkle, Brooks Radino, Nick Taylor, Lakshay Kumar, Hassan Souwaidan, Zoryana Blunt Mar 22 2023

Cooley Law School Graduate Honored During State Bar Conference

The Tax Section of the State Bar of Michigan recently awarded Cooley Law School graduate Jayson Thomas the Student Achievement Award during the 35th annual State Bar Tax Conference on May 25. Thomas, who graduated from Cooley in April, received the award based on his efforts to revive the law school’s Tax Law Society, recruit students interested in tax law to join the student organization and spearhead a Careers in Tax webinar. Pictured, from left, Cooley Law School graduate Josh Bemis and Jayson Thomas Jul 28 2023

Cooley Law School Celebrates 50 Years with Gala Celebration

WMU-Cooley Law School graduates, law students, administration, faculty, staff from the past and present, and friends of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School gathered on Saturday, June 17, to celebrate the law school’s 50th anniversary. The gala event took place at the Marriott East Lansing at University Place. During the gala, members of the first three graduating classes were honored, as were Polly Brennan, widow of the late Thomas E. Brennan Sr., former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and founder of the law school; and Marylynn Curtis Bain, Cooley’s senior director of enrollment data systems. The evening began with remarks from the Hon. Louise Alderson, retired judge of the Michigan 54B District Court and Cooley graduate who is chair of the law school’s board of directors. Alderson expressed her gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of the law school and to help look forward toward the future success of those who follow in the footsteps of the past and current law school leaders. “I see so many familiar faces. Individuals with whom I shared the trials and tribulations of law school, as well as others with whom I have collaborated to strengthen and improve the legal system in the state of Michigan and in our country,” said Alderson. “Each and every person in this room has, in their own way, contributed to the impact our law school has made on legal education and the legal profession over the last five decades. Our graduates have gone on to become outstanding lawyers, judges, policymakers, and leaders in the profession and in their communities around the country and around the world,” Alderson continued. Cooley President and Dean James McGrath joined Alderson to recognize members of Cooley’s first three graduating classes and present honorary alumnus status to Curtis Bain, and bestow an honorary Juris Doctor degree upon Polly Brennan. While honoring members of the law school’s first three graduating classes, McGrath said, “It is only fitting that we begin our special recognitions with those graduates here tonight who were the very first students to pursue their legal education at Cooley.” Those recognized from the first class, which started in January 1973 (Thomas M. Cooley Class) included: James Bonfiglio, Al Dalimonte, William Ferrigan, James Heos, Larry Nolan, Jerry Sutton, and Jeff Swartz. Members of the law school’s second class (Campbell Class) included: Richard Ball, Douglas Dosson, John Fields, and Peter Kennedy. Bernie Finn, member of Cooley’s Fletcher Class was also recognized. Members of the Fletcher class actually started as members of the first two classes, but modified their credit loads and finished as the school’s third graduating class. For the first time in Cooley’s history, Curtis Bain was presented with an Honorary Alumni Award. Curtis Bain started working at the law school during its first year of operation in 1973. “Marylynn wore so many hats during the critical early days and beyond,” said McGrath. “Over the years she has been a pillar of the institution. Her decades of service helped transform the school. She has seen the best of days as well as our challenging days. Her steadfast commitment, work ethic, and ‘get’er done’ approach is appreciated and valued.’’ McGrath noted that Curtis Bain has been instrumental in ensuring the student information systems, financial aid systems, enrollment systems, and exam administration systems are running effectively. While presenting Polly Brennan with the honorary Juris Doctor, McGrath said, “In the world of academia, one of the highest honors a college, school, or university can bestow is an honorary degree. She (Brennan) is one person, other than Judge Brennan, who is truly responsible for the establishment, formation, and launching of the law school.” The resolution conferring the degree upon Brennan noted, “Her tireless devotion to the success of not only the school but also of those students who sought to pursue their dreams of becoming an attorney proved instrumental in the law school becoming an accredited institution with a proud legacy of ensuring broad access to legal education. And Whereas, in serving as the law school’s first employee, Mrs. Brennan provided leadership and adept administrative skill in numerous roles and capacities that would eventually require multiple individuals to complete. In the process, she helped establish a culture centered on personalized attention and exceptional service and one in which each individual is valued and appreciated for the role they played in the success of the overall institution. “And Whereas, Mrs. Brennan has, throughout her life, demonstrated a ceaseless commitment to the high moral character and values expected of students and graduates of Thomas M. Cooley Law School and those who devote themselves to the practice of law. “She has served as a role model and matriarch within her family, within Cooley Law School, and in the broader community.” McGrath concluded by saying, “Mrs. Brennan, thank you for all that you have done for Cooley over the last 50 years, and for helping launch the legal careers of more than 21,000 graduates.” ENJOY THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA WEEKEND VIDEO AND PHOTO ALBUM! 50TH ANNIVERSARY VIDEO 50TH ANNIVERSARY PHOTO ALBUM Jun 22 2023

Cooley Law School Holds Fall Honors Convocation in Tampa Bay