TAMPA, Fla. — Cooley Law School has announced faculty promotions and new appointments at its Tampa Bay campus, recognizing outstanding academic leadership while welcoming accomplished legal educators and professionals to its faculty. Professor Joseline Hardrick has been promoted from associate professor of law to professor of law, recognizing her excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service to the law school and legal profession. Professor Matt Marin has been promoted from associate professor of law and director of academic support services to professor of law and director of academic support services in recognition of his leadership in student success, academic support, and legal education. Returning to the teaching ranks at Cooley's Tampa Bay campus are Professor of Law Stevie Swanson and Associate Professor of Law Carly McLaughlin. Together, they bring extensive experience in legal education, scholarship, and bar preparation. Swanson returns to Cooley after serving as a professor of law at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law in Knoxville, Tennessee. She brings more than 23 years of legal education experience, having previously taught at Cooley Law School, the University of Michigan Law School, and Mitchell Hamline School of Law. A graduate of Yale University and the University of Michigan Law School, Swanson teaches Property, Secured Transactions, Slavery & Human Trafficking, and Real Estate Discrimination. An award-winning educator, she has been recognized multiple times as Professor of the Year and is a respected scholar whose recent publications examine racial discrimination in real estate and housing law. After serving as managing editor for the National Conference of Bar Examiners, McLaughlin brings experience with legal assessment, bar examination development, and legal writing, which provides students with valuable insight into the skills and competencies needed for success in law school and beyond. At Cooley, she teaches Legal Research & Writing and brings extensive expertise in legal writing, editing, assessment, and attorney licensure. Her work at NCBE helped shape bar examination content and resources used by jurisdictions nationwide, giving students a unique perspective on the knowledge and skills expected of new lawyers. “At Cooley Law School, we are committed to providing our students with an exceptional legal education led by accomplished educators who are passionate about teaching, mentoring, and preparing future-ready attorneys,” said James McGrath, president and dean of Cooley Law School. “The promotions of Professors Hardrick and Marin recognize their outstanding contributions to our students and our institution, while the additions of Professors Swanson and McLaughlin strengthen an already exceptional faculty. Together, they bring a remarkable breadth of legal experience, scholarship, and practical knowledge that will greatly benefit our students and transform the legal profession.” Hardrick has established herself as a respected scholar and educator in constitutional law, criminal law, and civil rights. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she is a nationally recognized speaker and author whose work examines constitutional issues, criminal justice, and the intersection of law and public policy. Marin has played a key role in advancing Cooley's Academic Support Services program, helping students develop the skills and strategies necessary for academic success and bar examination preparation. Through his leadership, he has mentored countless students as they prepare for legal practice. The faculty appointments and promotions reflect Cooley Law School's continued investment in academic excellence and its commitment to preparing practice-ready graduates through experienced faculty who combine scholarly achievement with real-world legal experience.
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Cooley Law School faculty Michael Molitor, Dustin Foster, and Emily Horvath have co-authored the textbook, “Wills, Estates, and Trusts: Statutes, Cases, and Problems.”
Cooley Law School Associate Dean of Academics and Professor Tonya Krause-Phelan has been selected as a member of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2023 Class of Influential Women of the Law. Each year, the Women of the Law program honors women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of the justice system and for their clients, their commitment to their communities and their service to the profession. In addition to Criminal Law, Krause-Phelan teaches Criminal Procedure, Defending Battered Women, Criminal Sentencing, and Ethics in Criminal Cases. She is currently making strides to improve the law school community and student curriculum by actively engaging with faculty on identifying the key objectives, as well as roles and responsibilities of a full-scale curriculum review. “Dean Krause-Phelan’s leadership reaches beyond the classroom,” said Tracey Brame, Cooley professor and director of the Cooley Law School Innocence Project. “She is a mentor to students, a committed change-maker, and a servant to the law. Evidence of her commitment and passion can be seen in public defender, prosecutor, and public service offices across our community, where her former students are carrying on her torch.” Before joining the ranks of academia, Krause-Phelan began her legal career working as an assistant public defender at the Kent County Office of the Defender. While a defender, she handled and tried all types of felony cases ranging from shoplifting to murder. After three years as a defender, she moved to private practice, specializing in criminal defense where she represented both appointed and retained clients in both state and federal courts. While still practicing, she began her teaching career as an adjunct professor at Ferris State University where she taught both Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure to criminal justice majors In addition to Krause-Phelan, Cooley graduates Stephanie Arndt, Christensen Law; Jennifer Hetu, Bodman; Mary Pat Meyers, Meyers Law; and Lori K. Smith, O’Reilly Rancilio are among the 35 lawyers selected for this year’s honor. An awards luncheon honoring the nominees will be held on Sept. 22 at Petruzzello’s in Troy. Aug 02 2023
Attorney and advocate Robyn McCoy will be the keynote presenter during WMU-Cooley Law School’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Day commemoration. McCoy has received numerous awards for her commitment to social justice and has traveled extensively for the organization of programs that promote equal justice for all people. The presentation is part of the law school’s monthly Community Conversations series and will be held virtually beginning at noon on January 17. McCoy, who was mentored by first lady Michelle Obama, is a part-time lecturer at Eastern Michigan University and teaches the course “Law and the African American Experience.” She was a legislative assistant to State Representative Ronnie Peterson and is currently a partner with McCoy & Associates, PLLC located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She specializes in criminal defense, family law, education advocacy, estate planning, probate, wrongful death, and personal injury. The virtual event will be held Tuesday, Jan. 17, noon-1 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the virtual event by signing up at https://info.cooley.edu/community-conversations WATCH THE MLK DAY COOLEY COMMUNITY CONVERSATION HERE. Jan 09 2023
The 32nd annual Cooley Classic Golf Benefit in support of the law school’s Student Scholarship Fund was held on June 20 at Eagle Eye Golf Club in Bath, Michigan. The event had 90 golfers in attendance and raised $3,000 for the scholarship fund. The winning teams of the four-person scramble were DK Security and our all-student Cooley team, who both finished 15 under par. Photo on left: DK Security Senior VP and CFO, Zach Simmons (left) along with his teammates DJ Benedict, Shamus O'Keefe, and Bryan Cranston shot 15 under par to capture a first place finish in the 2023 Cooley Golf Classic. Photo on right: All student team (L-R) John Carley, Jamie Linnell, James Ward, and Charles Bloomfield also came in first place with 15 under par. WMU-Cooley graduate Vincent Welicka (third from left) has played in every Cooley Classic Golf Outing since its inception. (L-R) Cooley Alumni Association Immediate Past President Susie Harris, Cooley Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations Bill Arnold, Cooley President James McGrath, and Cooley ESS Professional Cynthia Brown. (L-R) Julie Brennan, with Cooley graduates the Hon. Thomas Brennan Jr., Liisa Speaker, and Jordan Sutton. (L-R) Cooley graduate Larry Kish, Distinguished Professor Emeritus Terry Cavanaugh, Professor Ret. Brig. General Michael C.H. McDaniel, and Professor Dustin Foster. Jun 26 2023
Western Michigan University Cooley Law School has announced students Melissa Bianchi and Stephen J. Tobler have been appointed as fellows to the American Bar Association’s Legal Education Police Practices Consortium. They were selected to research public data about local and state law enforcement agencies. Several dozen law school deans created the consortium in 2020 in response to police killings and use of force in primarily black communities and recognition of the need for a centralized database for much of this information, especially at the national level. The data shared could lead to better policing policies and practices, and promote collaboration, where appropriate, between law schools and local police departments. This term’s fellowship comprises 40 students from 28 law schools representing 18 states, including Washington, D.C. The consortium has 60 member law schools across the country. Bianchi learned of the opportunity through the recommendation of a professor after writing a scholarly paper about how the “Defund the Police” slogan negatively impacts law enforcement agencies nationwide. Her research highlighted that more effective training for officers is a better solution than defunding. If states can standardize training and operating procedures through their state’s attorney general, this solution might help resolve the misconduct issues, she explained. A shared passion Bianchi has with the consortium stems from a Margaret Mead quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Bianchi hopes to accomplish a positive change for law enforcement agencies with her fellow Cooley colleague and the fellows across the country. Tobler has conducted risk assessments of over 1,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide. He has provided use-of-force and other law enforcement training to individuals at the basic police academy, and in-service: basic, advanced, and instructor levels. Tobler also served on the WMU-Cooley Law review.. Tobler said he is excited about the opportunity to help keep officers safe while being appropriately effective in assisting their communities. Mar 30 2023
The WMU-Cooley Law Review honored attorneys Steven Helton, Ann Sherman, Chris Allen, Kyla Barranco and Tonya Jeter during the organization’s 37th annual Distinguished Brief Award ceremony on March 2. The ceremony recognizes the most scholarly briefs filed with the Michigan Supreme Court in 2022. Pictured: (left-right) are Melissa Bianchi, WMU-Cooley Law Review associate editor; Justice Richard Bernstein, Michigan Supreme Court Justice; Aniela Bosca, WMU-Cooley Law Review associate editor; WMU-Cooley Professor and Law Review Faculty Advisory Mark Cooney. These briefs were evaluated by a panel of judges using seven set criteria: question presented, point headings, statement of case, argument and analysis, style, mechanics and best overall brief. The purpose of the award is to promote excellence in legal writing. The judges included: Michigan Supreme Court Justice Megan K. Cavanagh, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth M. Welch, Judge Amy Ronayne Krause, Judge Michelle M. Rick, Judge Michael J. Riordan, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, and WMU-Cooley Professor Christi Henke. The winning briefs will be published in an upcoming edition of the WMU-Cooley Law Review. Helton, Assistant Defender with the State Appellate Defender Office, was honored for his brief in the case of The People of the State of Michigan v. Robert Lance Propp. This case involved the type of showing indigent defendants are required to make to establish their right to a state appointed expert and whether prosecutors would be permitted to establish a defendant’s propensity to commit domestic violence through hearsay evidence. Four attorneys from the Michigan Attorney General’s office, Solicitor General Ann Sherman, Assistant Solicitor General Chris Allen, and Assistant Attorneys General Kyla Barranco and Tonya Jeter, were also honored. The attorneys drafted the Michigan Supreme Court brief in the Rouch World, LLC v. Department of Civil Rights case decided in July 2022. The brief argued that the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act’s prohibition of discrimination “because of . . . sex” necessarily encompassed sexual-orientation discrimination because those concepts are intertwined. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein delivered the keynote address at the ceremony, saying in part, “Ultimately, our picture of the law goes beyond the court. The reason why these awards are so significant is because for the most part, cases are won and lost off of the briefs that are submitted. The brief brings the case to life. It brings the facts to life, it brings the issue to life, it brings the clients to life, and it brings the law to life.” Mar 08 2023
WMU-Cooley Law School recognized Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May with a virtual Community Conversation event, featuring Mark S. Chang, senior manager and specialty compliance and ethics. Chang, who provides value-added guidance to cross functional stakeholders in the cyber security and data privacy risk management fields, reflected upon the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. “As a legal professional, we want to be as resourceful as possible whether we are presenting in court, presenting a case, or doing volunteer work in the community, and be mindful of the vast diverse of Asian American communities,” said Chang, a native of Taiwan. “There’s a huge spectrum of socioeconomic levels and educational differences amongst this entire big group. He also spoke about how those in the educational setting could help those with minority background. “Something that’s very important from a legal perspective or a legal education perspective is to continue to broaden your networking circle, not just within your particular group or class,” Chang said. “Being at Cooley we have a fortunate bank of all the alumni across the world. It doesn’t matter where you go whether in the United States or a different part of the world, you will have that resources available if you want to reach out. It is important to volunteer and help out and reach out to people at your school and people in the community who can be impacted.” Additionally, Chang spoke on how the minority population often has a negative connotation in America. “Is it bad to be a minority? If you change your mindset, that might not be a bad thing after all. How do you utilize your uniqueness to excel and overcome all of those challenges that may systematically stack up against you? I think that’s something that I was able to learn through this process and realize what am I good at and what are you not good at; then analyze the situation and try to create your own path. Because that is a minority mindset – being a pathfinder, being that entrepreneur who’s creating a new way, creating an innovative way to be successful and create your own version of the American Dream. Because the American Dream is not just to America, it’s the concept of making it your life. Whatever you’re given and what you deal with in life – no matter what part of the world you’re in – finding that freedom to make that choice to achieve your own goals you set up for yourself is valuable.” During the conversational event, Chang also spoke about what he learned from his educational experience in America. “I learned to pick up the growth mentality – you can always find your own piece of the pie,” he said. “For me, education didn’t stop at commencement, that’s where it starts because, now you’re given an educational tool – an ‘intellectual’ Ferrari or Tesla, a very incredible machine, that allowed me to grow, which is a lifelong commitment and journey.” WATCH THE CONVERSATION HERE May 25 2023
WMU-Cooley Law School graduate Daniel Cardwell has been named the 2023 International Graduate of the Year by the International Legal Honor Society of Phi Delta Phi. Law students from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Poland compete for this recognition, which is the society's highest award given to one graduate each year. The award recognizes outstanding academic achievements, dedication to professional service, and overall merit. “Being selected as the 2023 International Graduate of the Year for Phi Delta Phi is an incredible recognition,” said Cardwell. “My goal is to consistently compete with myself for personal improvement, and it is truly an honor to see daily, consistent efforts accumulate into this recognition.” Cardwell’s notable achievements, which contributed to him receiving the honor, include: graduating ninth in his class at WMU-Cooley, winning national recognition and publication for his contribution to the Judge Constance Baker Motley DEI Essay Competition, winning the 2021 Staying in the Game Essay Competition, both sponsored by the Federal Bar Association; serving as chair of the Professional Values Committee for the Association of College & Research Libraries; and interning at the Department of Justice, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the Second District Court of Appeal for Florida. He also serves as an adjunct professor of English and tutored students at the Academic Success Center at Hillsborough Community College’s Brandon Campus. Additionally, Cardwell received the Society of Scholars Scholarship through the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity. He completed the Business Transaction Concentration, earning elective credits in bankruptcy law, taxation of business entities, securities regulation, and UCC Article III negotiable instruments. He was the clerk and 2022 Convention Delegate for the Janet Reno Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta. Cardwell received a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, and Master of Arts degrees from the University of South Florida and a Master of Arts degree from Northern Arizona University. Jul 19 2023
