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Cooley Law School Records Nearly 40% Enrollment Increase with Incoming 2026 Class

Cooley Law School Records Nearly 40% Enrollment Increase with Incoming 2026 Class

Cooley welcomed 271 students for the fall 2026 semester at its Florida and Michigan campuses LANSING, MI and TAMPA, FL. — Cooley Law School welcomed students back to school at its Tampa, Fla., and Lansing, Mich., campuses, marking a 38% increase from its largest class in seven years. In August, Cooley held orientation for 271 new students – 151 Lansing and 120 Tampa – ahead of the start of classes on Sept. 8. In addition to Michigan and Florida, students are coming from 24 U.S. states, two U.S. territories, and eight foreign countries. “The growth we’ve seen throughout the past couple of years is a significant achievement and reflects the continued confidence students have in getting their legal education at Cooley,” said Cooley Law School President and Dean James McGrath. “We’re excited to welcome this new student class to our Florida and Michigan campuses and empower them, challenge them, and give them the tools they need to become future-ready lawyers.” As Cooley students marked the official start of their law school career during a campus orientation convocation, a sitting judge administered the professionalism oath and students committed to follow the Honor Code, the official guide to student conduct and behavior while in law school. Ingham County Probate Judge Richard Garcia administered the oath for Cooley students in Lansing, while 13th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Nick Nazaretian administered the oath for students in Tampa. First-year law students at Cooley are assigned to Contracts, Torts, Research & Writing I, and Introduction to Legislation, Regulation & Statutory Interpretation courses.

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  • Cooley Law School Innocence Project Hosts Wrongful Conviction Panel Discussion, Featuring Seven Exonerees, Including George and Melvin Dejesus and Dell Crawford
    Cooley Law School Innocence Project Hosts Wrongful Conviction Panel Discussion, Featuring Seven Exonerees, Including George and Melvin Dejesus and Dell Crawford

    Cooley Law School Innocence Project Hosts Wrongful Conviction Panel Discussion, Featuring Seven Exonerees, Including George and Melvin Dejesus and Dell Crawford

    LANSING, MI – Cooley Law School Innocence Project hosted a panel discussion on Sunday, June 14, titled, “Inside the Innocence Movement: A Panel Discussion with the Freed and Exonerated.” A total of seven exonerees participated in the event, including Dell Crawford, George DeJesus, Melvin DeJesus, Kenneth Nixon, Eric Anderson, Roy Blackman, and Ruben Pinuelas. “For the innocent people in prison, keep fighting,” said George DeJesus, who, along with his brother Melvin, was exonerated on March 22, 2022, after serving 25 years in prison. “Keep fighting even if they tell you there’s no hope. If you’re innocent, and you know you’re innocent, keep fighting.” The event provided first-hand accounts of how flaws in Michigan's criminal justice system resulted in them being wrongly convicted and what it took for them to finally be exonerated. Attendees also heard from Cooley Law School Innocence Project staff about their work on behalf of those who have been wrongly convicted and incarcerated. They gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what they can do to recognize and prevent wrongful convictions. “I’m still adapting with the new technology, I can barely use my phone,” said Dell Crawford, who has been free for almost 90 days after serving 17 years in prison. “The way you shop, the way you eat, the way you order… everything is different.” Ann Garant, co-director for the Cooley Law School Innocence Project, facilitated the event. “The number of exonerated participants in the panel just goes to show how many individuals have been wrongfully convicted,” she said. “Fellow exonerees are extremely supportive of their brothers and sisters in this community.” Since its inception, the Cooley Innocence Project has screened over 7,500 cases and is responsible for the exoneration of 10 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), Louis Wright (2023), and Dell Crawford (2026). In addition, the Cooley Innocence Project has helped to exonerate Lacino Hamilton, Ramon Ward, Terance Calhoun, and Crystal Mulherin, Duane Williams, and George Calicut Jr. In honor of its 25th anniversary, the Cooley Innocence Project is hosting a gala on Sept. 19 at Grewal Hall in Lansing. The event, featuring NBC Dateline Producer Dan Slepian, an advocate for the innocence movement, as the keynote speaker, will begin at 6 p.m. More information about purchasing tickets to the gala or supporting the work of the Cooley Innocence project can be found at https://cooley.edu/innocence25. Organizations interested in scheduling the Cooley Innocence Project for speaking engagements can contact Ann Garant at innocence@cooley.edu.

  • Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project Celebrates 25 Years of Exonerations in Michigan
    Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project Celebrates 25 Years of Exonerations in Michigan

    Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project Celebrates 25 Years of Exonerations in Michigan

    LANSING, Mich. – Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project is celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2026: 25 years of exonerations – which includes over 6,000 screenings and 10 exonerations. Established in 2001, the Cooley Innocence Project is the only post-conviction DNA innocence organization in Michigan. It is part of the Innocence Network, a national organization which has been credited with the release of over 375 wrongfully convicted prisoners, mainly through the use of DNA testing and false forensics. “For 25 years, the Cooley Innocence Project has helped prove the innocence of Michigan residents who have been wrongly convicted by our justice system,” said Ann Garant, co-director of the Cooley Innocence Project. “Our staff and student interns strongly believe in the Cooley Innocence Project’s mission of restoring freedom to the wrongfully incarcerated and raising public awareness through advocacy and education.” In Michigan, the Cooley Innocence Project office has screened over 6,000 cases and is responsible for the exoneration of ten individuals to date: Kenneth Wyniemko (2003), Nathaniel Hatchett (2008), Donya Davis (2014), LeDura Watkins (2017), Corey McCall (2021), Kenneth Nixon (2021), Gilbert Poole (2021), George DeJesus (2022), Louis Wright (2023), and Dell Crawford (2026). It also helped to exonerate Lacino Hamilton (2020), Ramon Ward (2020), Terance Calhoun in 2022, Crystal Mulherin (2024), Duane Williams (2024), and George Calicut Jr. (2026). “The Cooley Innocence Project has been pivotal for restoring hope to Michigan citizens who may be innocent of a convicted crime and their families throughout the past 25 years,” said Marla Mitchell-Cichon, Cooley Law School distinguished professor emeritus and of counsel to the Cooley Innocence Project. She has worked alongside the Project since 2002, and served as its director from 2012-2021. “As I’ve had the privilege to be part of six exonerations at the Cooley Innocence Project, there is still important work to be done and more exonerations to come in the next 25 years.” The Cooley Innocence Project was founded in May 2001, by the late Norm Fell, shortly after Michigan’s post-conviction DNA testing law went into effect. Today, the Cooley Innocence Project consists of five staff attorneys, two support staff and select second- and third- year law students who practice law under Michigan's student practice rule. Under the supervision of experienced lawyers, qualified students receive hands-on training while they screen applications, investigate facts, conduct interviews, analyze cases, prepare court pleadings and represent clients in court. Attorneys from various law firms volunteer alongside students to support the work of Cooley’s Innocence Project. “Our firm has been working with the Cooley Innocence Project for years, and we’ve seen firsthand the amazing work that they do,” said Mary Chartier, partner, Chartier & Nyamfukudza, P.L.C. “To work side-by-side with a team of committed legal professionals whose sole goal is to exonerate the innocent is inspiring. They literally change the course of people’s lives. They work tirelessly to gain freedom for people who have no other options by stepping in and giving them hope for freedom. The Cooley Innocence Project embodies the Constitution and the best of the legal profession every day, and I’m so proud to have worked with them on numerous cases.”

  • Cooley Law School Hosts Michigan Attorney General for Career-Focused Student Event
    Cooley Law School Hosts Michigan Attorney General for Career-Focused Student Event

    Cooley Law School Hosts Michigan Attorney General for Career-Focused Student Event

    LANSING, MICH. — On April 9, Cooley Law School welcomed Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to its Lansing campus for an engaging career-focused event, “Insights & Opportunities with Attorney General Dana Nessel,” held at the Cooley Center Lobby. Hosted as part of programming supported by the law school’s Career and Professional Development Office, the event provided students with a valuable look into career paths within public service, including internship and post-graduate opportunities with the Michigan Department of Attorney General. During the event, Nessel shared insights into the important work performed across the department’s various divisions and discussed the wide range of legal careers available within the office. She also took time to answer student questions, offering practical advice and perspective on entering public service. Following her remarks, representatives from several departments within the Attorney General’s Office connected directly with students, discussing their roles and responsibilities and conducting on-the-spot interviews with interested attendees. “It was a great opportunity for our students to engage directly with leaders in public service and gain a deeper understanding of the impactful work being done within the Attorney General’s Office,” said Karen Poole, director of Career and Professional Development at Cooley Law School. “Programs like this are essential in helping our students explore career pathways, build professional connections, and take meaningful steps toward their future careers.” The event drew strong student participation and provided an informative and interactive experience for those interested in pursuing careers in government and public service.