EQUAL ACCESS TO A MODERN LEGAL EDUCATION FOR 50 YEARS | MICHIGAN | FLORIDA
WELCOME FROM PRESIDENT JAMES McGRATH by example. Here, making a difference in the lives of others is not just a tagline. It is my honor to serve as the leader of this venerable institution as we begin a new chapter celebrating our 50th anniversary. Similar to many law schools with an access mission, WMU-Cooley faces many challenges – but as I tell my students, you need to embrace your challenges as opportunities. We seize upon every opportunity to enhance the reputation of our school as a leader in using proven methods to prepare practiceready, ethical lawyers. The legal profession is experiencing significan changes. We must not just react, but also anticipate future trends and lead when those trends threaten to disrupt our mission of true access to the legal profession. WMU-Cooley has embraced greater access to the legal profession since its founding and stands firm in its belie that the study of law should not be an esoteric pursuit, nor the law an elitist profession. The WMU-Cooley community will continue to build on this proud history as we lead
In my short time as President and Dean, I have been impressed with WMU-Cooley’s loyal community of faculty, staff, students, and graduates. Our faculty is dedicated to personally reaching each one of our students. Instead of waiting for law schools to adopt proven effective teaching techniques, our faculty pioneer the methods that actually work in the classroom to better educate future lawyers. I continue to support expanding these efforts in making WMU-Cooley the epicenter of modern legal education. Our staff is committed to our students’ growth and development as people and professionals. They are unwavering in their commitment to our students and their work in furthering our mission. Staff members are proactive partners in ensuring our school achieves its goals. The longevity of so many of our staff members speaks volumes about their loyalty and passion for our school. Our students are fiercel committed to social justice. Through hard work and
TABLE OF CONTENTS
engagement in the classroom, they develop their legal skills for application in community minded externships and pro bono efforts that help build a more equitable world. Finally, our graduates – over 21,000 strong – have proven themselves in the courts, both as advocates and judges, as leaders in government, in business, and in many innovative careers using their legal skills across our nation and around the world. The law school’s resolute commitment in preparing a diverse body of practice-ready attorneys was very attractive to me when I was considering joining WMU-Cooley. When required by changes in ABA Standards, many schools began developing and touting their “practice ready” programs. Preparing practice ready lawyers has been an integral part of our curriculum since our first class enrolle in 1973.
recently updated our strategic plan for our future and will continue to introduce initiatives that will strengthen our school’s reputation as leaders in modern legal education - without losing our commitment to our core mission of true access to the legal profession. With a law degree from WMU-Cooley you will have amazing opportunities to be an influencer in our globa community. I encourage you to enjoy the pages that follow this brief welcome. I think you will be impressed. I am excited to be at the helm for this new chapter in WMU-Cooley’s history. Please join me in this journey as we ALL RISE to seize the opportunities our everchanging world presents. All the best to you and yours,
JAMES McGRATH Professor, President and Dean
We have many reasons to celebrate this year. Our law school will soon begin its second 50 years, building on our successes and learning from our missteps. Our highly respected WMU-Cooley Innocence Project celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and our Tampa Bay campus is turning 10. We
Diversity
14-15
Scheduling Options
26-27
Transformational Experience
4-5
Student Life
16-17
Scholarships
28
Why Law School?
6-7
Prepared to Practice
18-19
Career Planning
29
Academics
8-9
Global Presence
20-21
Locations
Professors
10-11
Ethics and Professionalism
22-23
Next Steps
Social Justice
12-13
Reach for Greatness
24-25
30-33 34
FAST FACTS 25
“The investment a student makes in [business school or law school] degrees today is likely to produce at least a 10x return over his or her career.” SHAWN O’CONNOR, FORBES MAGAZINE
FIND YOUR EXCELLENCE You have the ability to do great things. You are thinking about law school. You have obviously set high goals for yourself.
Law school is a commitment. It is a challenge. It is an education that will bring out your best. Come to WMU-Cooley, fin your excellence — become the lawyer you aspire to be.
You realize the advantages that a legal education can bring. No education could be more stimulating, rigorous, or challenging. Law school will open your mind, unlock your potential, and enable you to achieve in ways that you may have never imagined. At WMU-Cooley, we know all about potential and achievement. Founded in 1972 by a group of lawyers and judges led by then-Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court,
the late Thomas E. Brennan, WMU-Cooley is a national leader in practice preparation. Since the beginning, WMU-Cooley has identifie people like you who have proven to themselves and the world that they have what it takes to succeed. Over 21,000 alumni, located all over the nation and the world, serve their communities as lawyers in firm large and small, judges, legislators, prosecutors, defenders, corporate leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs. 3
FAST FACTS 5
90
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
CREDIT PROGRAM 65 credits in required courses plus 25 credits in electives stress the fundamentals of law and practice
81
ST
CLINICAL EXPERIENCES
WMU-Cooley was one of the pioneers to require our students to have practice experience BEFORE graduating.
WMU-COOLEY: A TRANSF We train students to be lawyers who know how to get the job done. Our challenging academic programs blend rigorous classes with practical legal experience to prepare students for the bar exam, the courtroom, and the real-world practice of law.
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So why the law? “I looked at it from the perspective of what can I actually do to help my community. I knew I could help individual people as a doctor, but as an attorney I knew I would be able to help many others on a much larger scale.”
MUSTAFA AMEEN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AMEEN & SHAFII ATTORNEYS AT LAW
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
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ORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE CHALLENGING ACADEMICS • Comprehensive curriculum • Thorough bar exam preparation • Faculty holds students to high standards • Mid-term exams reinforce learning
FACULTY COMMITTED TO STUDENTS • Accessible professors • Faculty are legal practitioners and excellent teachers • Culture of continuous feedback • Connect students with alumni and future employers
PREPARED FOR LAW PRACTICE • Top-notch facilities • Experiential learning • Courtroom readiness • Legal skill development • Large alumni network
FLEXIBLE PROGRAMS • Year-round admission opportunities • Begin in January, May or September • Class schedule that supports full-time employment • Evening and weekend schedules support part-time study
TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE • Welcoming to all students • Diverse student body • Collaborative student-centered law school experience • Supportive of student success
COMMITMENT TO SERVICE • Clinics provide opportunities for community service • Student externships provide value to community • Graduates committed to careers that serve individuals and communities 5
3 7 LAW SCHOOL MAKES YOU B START DATES
FAST FACTS 59 3
Begin classes starting in January, May, or September
DAYS OF CLASSES Evening and weekend classes support part-time study and full-time employment
Equipped with a legal education and a passion for the law, an attorney can have a rewarding and fulfilling career in so many ways from a protector in the courtroom to being an advocate in private practice. A legal education is one of the most versatile, most useful academic disciplines available today. A law degree is so much more than just a return on investment. It is an investment in you! A LEGAL EDUCATION:
Teaches discipline, leadership, and organization skills
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Enhances your ability to communicate clearly and persuasively
Instills a strong work ethic, professionalism, and confidenc
Sharpens your critical-thinking and problemsolving abilities
BRIGHTER. BOLDER. BETTER. Earning a law degree is a good career move and a true testament to what you want to give and get out of life. Enrich yourself with a WMU-Cooley law degree.
“
I always wanted to be an attorney. I didn’t seek out to do it, I just always knew that someday I would become a lawyer. My friends would change their ideas of what they wanted to do when they grew up, but I knew I wanted to be an advocate.” SHEQUEL ROSS WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE SHELAW FIRM LLC
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FAST FACTS 59 7
1
ST
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
LEGAL DRAFTING
WMU-Cooley was one of the first la schools in the nation to require coursework in legal drafting
8
CREDIT HOURS
Minimum requirement of research and writing, resulting in a skill set that gives students a distinct advantage
CHALLENGING ACADEMICS The law school’s comprehensive curriculum includes courses you need to succeed on the bar exam and in practice. Whatever area of law you pursue, WMU-Cooley’s programs will give you the knowledge and practical skills you will need to succeed.
8
+
5
WRITING ELECTIVES
Choose from additional electives, such as Scholarly Writing, Pre-Trial Skills, Appellate Practice, Journals and Law Reviews
9
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
Focus your study in a particular fiel of your choice
JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.) DEGREE WMU-Cooley’s J.D. curriculum is designed to help you master the knowledge, skills, and ethics needed for the bar examination, law practice, and even further graduate study. The curriculum also requires actual practical experience. Every WMU-Cooley student gets real-world experience before graduation. SPECIALIZE YOUR CURRICULUM Whether you are interested in environmental law, sports and entertainment law, business law, or civil rights, you can tailor your curriculum to meet your interests. MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.) DEGREES WMU-Cooley offers an array of graduate legal education programs where you can focus your legal career. WMUCooley offers online LL.M. programs in Tax, Corporate Law & Finance, and Homeland & National Security. They allow attorneys to advance their legal education in as little as one year, and give busy law professionals the mastery they need to propel their legal career. OUTSTANDING LIBRARY Whether you attend our Michigan or Florida campus, students can learn and find access to every resource in a expansive and comfortable library. WMU-Cooley’s library also offers extensive hours throughout the year to fit th lifestyle and study needs of its students.
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9/10 5:1 PROFESSORS ARE PRACTION SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE.
FAST FACTS 59
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
FACULTY ACHIEVE 9 OUT OF 10 FOR QUALITY RATING
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO Students benefit from smal classes and individualized attention from caring teachers
Imagine learning criminal law from a professor who was a prosecutor for 20 years — or learning about homeland and national security from a professor who was a Brigadier General and the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense Strategy.
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15 11 NERS WHO AVERAGE YEARS TEACHING EXPERIENCE Veteran faculty are skilled teachers
AVERAGE YEARS PRIOR PRACTICE EXPERIENCE
Full-time faculty have a world of practice experience
KNOWL-
WMU-Cooley law professors base their teaching on vast experience as practicing lawyers. They bring to the classroom a real and tangible perspective making learning robust and relevant. The real-world experience of the faculty complements the theoretical foundation of their teaching and provides valuable insights into the practice of law. Our faculty are committed to the success of each student. As mentors, they combine their own experience practicing law with a love of teaching, providing individualized support and continuous feedback to each student. The classroom is collaborative and supportive. Students learn that they can be their very best by working with others.
“
The law school has professors on campus with diverse professional experience, including in international practice. Having access to professors with this much world experience is a huge advantage. I believe that WMU-Cooley provides students with a quality education that is unparalleled with any other law school across the United States.” NATHAN TAMULONIS, FIELD CLASS, 2020
HIGH FACULTY RANKINGS WMU-Cooley students think very highly of their professors, consistently ranking the faculty a nine on a scale of 10 in course evaluations.
MORE PRACTICE EXPERIENCE Our professors average 11 years of practice experience before joining our faculty.
MORE TEACHING EXPERIENCE WMU-Cooley professors teach three semesters a year, which adds up to a faculty with more teaching experience than almost any other law faculty in the country. WMU-Cooley faculty average 15 years in the classroom.
FACULTY EXPERTS IN THE NEWS Our experienced faculty bring to the classroom their expertise on nearly every legal issue. The media and the public rely on our faculty for expert news commentary because the faculty match their scholarship with experience gained from wide-ranging law practice.
Visit cooley.edu/faculty to see the entire list of WMU-Cooley’s exceptional professors and faculty experts. 11
FAST FACTS
8
4 EXPERIENCE SOCIAL
EXONERATIONS
CLINICS
At WMU-Cooley you have the power to help those who have experienced injustice. Faculty lead by example in our commitment to serve our communities and others, whether it’s being involved in our clinics like the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project, the Access to Justice Clinic, or Public Defender Clinic; or taking on societal issues like human trafficking, the opioid epidemic, or LGBTQIA+ rights
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JUSTICE FIRST-HAND “
I have always felt as though I have two ‘selves’ – the one that I bring to work every day to a job, and the one that cares deeply about societal issues affecting others. I have made a choice in my life to do both by integrating social justice into the work that I do; and in the process of making a living, change lives.”
TRACEY W. BRAME, WMU-COOLEY ASSOCIATE DEAN AND DIRECTOR OF THE WMU-COOLEY INNOCENCE PROJECT
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STUDENT BODY DEMOGRAPHICS
40 19-67 A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY %
FAST FACTS 59 13
STUDENTS OF COLOR
AGE RANGE OF STUDENTS
COOLEY COOLEY LAW LAW SCHOOL SCHOOL
Students who attend WMU-Cooley come from across the nation and around the world. The diversity of their backgrounds and perspectives creates a dynamic, open, and uniquely stimulating learning environment that enriches the educational experience and, ultimately, the career of every WMU-Cooley graduate.
WMU-Cooley believes lawyers and judges should mirror the rich diversity found in the communities they serve. Our students learn in a welcoming, supportive environment that prepares them to practice law in all types of settings and communities, ultimately making for a more vital, well-rounded, and empathetic legal profession.
LEADERSHIP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
HELPING VETERANS
SBA DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARD
COMPANY COMMANDER, RESERVE UNIT, VIRGINA
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CHILD ADVOCATE AND COVID-19 HERO OF TAMPA BAY
40/60 3 THAT REFLECTS SOCIETY MALE TO FEMALE RATIO
#
MULTI-RACIAL ENROLLMENT and degrees awarded
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
“
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WMU-Cooley has done what many law schools are unable to do, which is to make sure every entering class has meaningful diversity — not just diversity for the sake of diversity, but true inclusion as members of the law school, admitted on the same standards, in a community that embraces their differences, embraces what they bring to the table.” AARON V. BURRELL WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC
LAW SCHOOL AT AGE 18
ADVOCATING FOR HOPE
OVERCAME OBSTACLES TO EARN TWO MASTERS AND J.D. DEGREES
MOOT COURT NATIONAL COMPETITION WINNER
SUCCESS IN HER SECOND CAREER PROVIDING SERVICE TO OTHERS
SERVICE TO OTHERS
STUDY ABROAD IS EVERYTHING
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40 2 10 VIBRANT STUDENT LIFE
FAST FACTS 59 13 15
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
STUDENT SCHOLARLY JOURNALS
STUDENT SKILLS COMPETITION TEAMS
COOLEY LAW WMU-COOLEY COOLEY LAW SCHOOL SCHOOL LAW SCHOOL
WMU-Cooley students have great opportunities to pursue their interests and improve their skills while serving their communities. Some examples include:
Law Review, Mock Trial, Moot Court
Study Abroad
in fascinating places like Melbourne, Australia; Hamilton, New Zealand; Oxford, England; Toronto, Canada; or exchange programs in Münster, Germany and Santander, Spain.
Competitions: Intra-School and National Moot Court Competitions, First Year Competition, Evidence Competition, Intra-School Trial Competition, Invitational Trial Competition, National Mock Trial Teams, ABA Client Counseling, and ABA Negotiation Competitions
16
+
70
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SERVED BY STUDENTS
WINNING TEAMS WMU-Cooley prides itself on the numerous competitions we have won over the decades, including the national and international ABA Client Counseling Competitions and a multitude of other regional and national competitions showcasing the outstanding competitive edge of WMU-Cooley students against any other law school in the country. SCHOLARLY JOURNALS Students can earn the chance to serve on the school’s Law Review, and J.D. students and students earning an LL.M. in Homeland and National Security Law can earn the chance to serve on that program’s online Homeland and National Security Law Journal.
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Students can expand their leadership skills and develop lasting relationships with fellow students through involvement in student organizations. They might be interested in becoming the voice of students in the Student Bar Association, participating in organizations such as the Black Law Student’s Association, or exploring the intersections of faith and the law between Christian and Arab American student groups. Students can also participate in organizations related to sports law, criminal law, international law, and a variety of other subjects.
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PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES WMU-Cooley coordinates with more than 30 programs that offer free legal assistance to people who cannot afford representation. WMU-Cooley faculty, staff, and students contribute thousands of hours of free legal service per year through pro bono projects, externships, and clinics. COMMUNITY SERVICE Students, faculty and staff generously serve communities not only where they live, but around the country.
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+
SINCE
3,000 1996 PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LAW SINCE 1972 FAST FACTS 59
EXTERNSHIP SITES
FIRST IN NATION TO REQUIRE EXTERNSHIPS
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
What does it really mean to be “prepared for law practice,” particularly in a global society? At WMU-Cooley the answer is clear. Since its founding, WMU-Cooley has placed students into the field to learn how t practice. WMU-Cooley’s strong skills curriculum, coupled with thousands of opportunities to apply those skills, will set you apart and give you confidence to be a lawyer from day one
“
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I have learned that I can go up against anyone, in any setting, and I can defend my position and defend it well and prevail. That is one of the biggest lessons I have learned. I have to trust myself, trust that I can understand the law, and I know all the aspects of it, and from there I can adequately defend or advocate for my client.” BRANDON AYERS WMU-COOLEY MOOT COURT TEAM WINNER AND ATTORNEY AT ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY
Unmatched Excellence
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
6
6
THE REAL PRACTICE OF One of the greatest advantages of a legal education is that it can take you anywhere in the world. At WMU-Cooley, you can prepare for a good job by choosing a real-life experience to complete your legal education. WMU-Cooley is one of the few schools in the nation that require a clinical experience before graduation, either through an externship or clinic opportunities. You have many choices.
CLINICS WMU-Cooley has a number of clinics (on campus or nearby) giving students real-world experience that allows them to start making a difference the day they graduate. EXTERNSHIPS WMU-Cooley students can explore their chosen fiel of work and gain valuable experience by participating in an externship with an experienced lawyer at one
of more than 3,000 sites worldwide. The WMUCooley Externship Program is a partnership between students, practicing attorneys, and WMU-Cooley faculty. In our externships, students may earn up to 10 academic credits for work that they perform under a licensed attorney who has been practicing for at least three years.
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50 27 WMU-COOLEY’S PRESENCE STATES
COUNTRIES
FAST FACTS 59
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
Nearly wherever you go, you will find WMU-Cooley graduates an learning opportunities. Network with WMU-Cooley alumni across 50 states and 27 countries. Broaden your legal experience by studying at locations around the world. Gain experience at over 3,000 externship sites globally.
RTHEAST NO
MIDWEST
WEST
2,859
WEST
11,425
ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
467
ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
1,503
144
34 19
WEST
19
WEST
1,539
61
5
22
104
16 30
ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
9
9
16
23 230
3
51
8,648 1,114
30 139
68
7
1,044 227
23
926 191
36 202
38
39
7
179
448 121
513 134
56
134
32 314
166 221 37
631 137
498 132
31 81
43
53
50
51
11 280
8 25
5
27
142
9
36 44
34
11
12
160 322
40
88
541 140 30
5
42
16 1,724 399
SOUTH WEST
4,014
ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
849
20
4
6
326
6
6
68
113
17
534
89
28
6
254
42
83
67
17
2
107
16
37
9
Unmatched Excellence
20 6 6
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
SPANS THE GLOBE WMU-COOLEY STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM LOCATIONS:
EXCHANGE PROGRAM • Exchange agreement with Münster, Germany
• Melbourne, Australia • Hamilton, New Zealand • Oxford, England • Toronto, Canada
T IN
• Exchange agreement with Sartander, Spain
ERNATIONAL
336
ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
92
2 3 5 5
2
1 12
5
54
3
1
2
1
2 2
2
226
1
2
1
1 1
1 2
1
1 1
2
1 1
2 1
1
5
1
1
2
2
10 3
2
1
3 4
2
1
2
2 1
1
1
2
5
2
4
5 1
2
1
7
1
14
2 2
1
1
3
3
3
1 1
1
1 3
WMU-Cooley Study Abroad Program Locations Exchange Program
21
+
5,000 30 ETHICS, PROFESSIONALISM
FAST FACTS 59 21
VOLUMES OF ETHICS MATERIALS
PRO BONO PROGRAMS
COOLEY COOLEY LAW LAW SCHOOL SCHOOL
A lawyer’s professional reputation and character mean everything. From the first day of law school, WMU-Cooley students are expecte to live and perform as professionals, learning not just a body of knowledge and skills, but also embracing the ethics, values, and conduct required of their profession.
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I will not lie, I will not cheat, I will not steal, I will not plagiarize, and I will not tolerate those who do.”
WMU-COOLEY HONOR CODE OATH ADMINISTERED TO EVERY STUDENT AT FIRST-TERM ORIENTATION
+
11,000 AND SERVICE STUDENT PRO BONO AND PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS ANNUALLY
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
22
Our unique, strong culture of professionalism and service emphasizes a lawyer’s obligation to give back. Our legal clinics and numerous volunteer opportunities allow students to learn the law while making a difference in the lives of others. The path to professionalism begins with the application process, builds throughout law school, and continues into your career. Everyone at WMUCooley is encouraged to adopt professionalism as a way of life. Our innovative, American Bar Association award-winning Professionalism Plan features professional development opportunities, mentoring
relationships, a speaker series, workshops, the creation of a professionalism portfolio, and more. With this plan and other initiatives, we have created a culture of professionalism that permeates our school and touches every WMU-Cooley student. WMU-Cooley Law School is a national leader among law schools in helping its students learn their professional obligations while internalizing
a personal commitment to ethics and service. In one year alone, working through clinics, externships and service, WMU-Cooley logs thousands of hours of free legal assistance to the community.
We share a commitment to service that our students can carry into their communities throughout their careers. 23
+
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21,000 200 REACH FOR GREATNESS WI
FAST FACTS
JUDGES
COOLEY COOLEY LAW LAW SCHOOL SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL JUDGE
APPELLATE JUDGE VISITING SCHOLAR
AT HARVARD, YALE, AND OXFORD
FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR STATE
CONGRESSMAN
Governor
SENATOR
REPRESENTATIVE
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
CORPORATE
CEO
A WMU-Cooley degree puts you in good company. Besides working in law firm of every size, our graduates hold or have held numerous positions of leadership.
LAW FBI P R E S I D E N T CORPORATE
PROFESSOR A G E N T
U.S. Hospital TECHNOLOGY INVESTOR A R M Y
JAG SENIOR LEGAL
ADVISOR
MEMBER
OF
JAPANESE
L E G I S L AT U R E MEMBER
OF
CANADIAN
PA R L I A M E N T
CEO COUNTY
PROSECUTOR
E N T R E P R E N E U R
LOBBYIST
59 21 23
TOTAL ALUMNI
TRIAL COURT
U.S. EMBASSY JUDGE
L E G A L CYBER Attaché SECURITY A D V I S O R
(FROM TOP LEFT) HON. ROSEMARIE AQUILINA, 30TH CIRCUIT COURT, INGHAM COUNTY, MI; JENNIFER FRANCE, CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER, CHIPPEWA COUNTY, MI; SAMUEL ONYEGAM, ATTORNEY, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, TX.; TIFFANY FOSKEY, VP/COMMODITY & DERIVATIVES ATTORNEY, BARCLAYS CAPITAL, NY; JON COOPER, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING HEAD COACH, FL; HON. HIROE RUBY MAKIYAMA, HOUSE OF COUNCILLORS, NATIONAL DIET OF JAPAN; HON. KWAMÉ ROWE, 6TH CIRCUIT COURT, OAKLAND COUNTY; HON. BART T. STUPAK, FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS, MICHIGAN’S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT; JAMES TURGAL, FORMER FBI SPECIAL AGENT, VICE PRESIDENT AT OPTIV, INC.; DEWNYA A. BAZZI, CEO OF AT LAW GROUP, PLLC; HON. JANICE CUNNINGHAM, CHIEF JUDGE FOR EATON COUNTY TRIAL COURTS
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70 26 ITH A WMU-COOLEY DEGREE ELECTED COUNTY PROSECUTORS
LEGISLATORS
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
WMU-Cooley graduates have been named Super Lawyers and State Bar presidents in multiple states. Others have been elected to Congress and the national parliaments of Canada and Japan. Still others have run universities and hospitals, major business corporations, sports organizations, and non-profits. In short, you can do anythin you want and desire with a WMU-Cooley education. You will be in good company. WMU-Cooley alumni will be part of your network — your professional family of 21,000 fellow graduates — from your firs day of law school.
THE CRADLE OF JUDGES It is fitting that WMU-Cooley was founde by a judge and named after a judge. Since its founding in 1972, WMU-Cooley has produced more than 200 judges in at least 23 states, including California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York, plus Canada.
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Why are WMU-Cooley graduates so wellsuited for the bench? The answer is easy. Given WMU-Cooley’s longstanding emphasis on teaching students the skills they will need to excel in practice, nobody is more at home in the courtroom than a WMU-Cooley graduate. Combine this with WMU-Cooley’s ABA award-winning emphasis on ethics and professionalism, and WMU-Cooley graduates are ready for great leadership in the courtroom and in the community.
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3 2-5 1 STUDY LAW AT YOUR OWN
FAST FACTS 25
START DATES: SEPTEMBER, JANUARY, MAY
YEARS TO COMPLETE
ST
WEEKEND PROGRAM IN THE NATION.
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
With campuses in Michigan and Florida, evening and weekend programs, and classes that start year-round, we give you the opportunity to study law on your terms. Flexible scheduling options support part-time study and full-time employment, so you can choose a schedule option that works for you.
“
I genuinely enjoyed law school and studying. I know that sounds so nerdy but I really, really liked it. And I loved WMU-Cooley because they allowed me the flexibility I needed to excel They showed me the kind of respect that I think sometimes is hard to get in law school, especially coming into it as a 19-year-old. I immediately felt like an equal.”
ALEXIS MORRIS WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE. ATTORNEY, DOGALI LAW GROUP, P.A.
Unmatched Excellence
PACE YEAR-ROUND EDUCATION TAUGHT BY FULL-TIME FACULTY WMU-Cooley has a 12-month academic year consisting of three 15-week semesters. You may begin classes in September, January, or May. No matter when you start, you will be taught by the same full-time faculty and will have to meet the same graduation requirements.
WMU-Cooley’s program is ideal both for students who work while attending law school and for students on a more traditional schedule. Students may also choose to complete their entire legal education solely in the evening or on the weekend.
WMU-COOLEY SCHEDULE OPTIONS: • Weekday program • Evening program • Weekend program • Two-year program • Classes offered seven days a week • Classes that begin in September, January, or May • Classes offered year-round VISIT WMICH.EDU/LAW TO REVIEW ALL SCHEDULE OPTIONS.
10-50 100 GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIPS %
Earn a scholarship based on class rank
FAST FACTS 25
+
CLASS RANK SCHOLARSHIP
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
EMPLOYERS
interviewed or posted jobs with the law school
Significantly reduce the cost of your education by securing a meri scholarship. WMU-Cooley Law School has a very generous scholarship program that rewards excellence, up to 100% of tuition.
“
Cooley was an amazing opportunity. I definitely benefited from t scholarship program and the systems in place that help the working adult. I was working and raising a family and the flexibilit Cooley provided was very important to my success there.” ROBIN SUTURA, CHIEF DATA OFFICER, MICROSOFT UK, LONDON, ENGLAND
AFFORDING LAW SCHOOL
ASSISTANCE
MORE INFORMATION
• All students have access to • For more information about • WMU-Cooley continually tries to find ways to reduc an Enrollment and Student WMU-Cooley’s generous the cost of legal education. Services coordinator who can merit scholarship program, WMU-Cooley rewards help explore financial ai visit wmich.edu/law academic achievement with options and assist with loan or contact: generous merit scholarships. repayment plans. Admissions Offic (517) 371-5140, ext. 2244 admissions@cooley.edu
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40 CAREER PLANNING +
EMPLOYERS interviewed on campus each year
As a student, you can team up with WMU-Cooley’s Career & Professional Development Office to build your résumé and portfolio During law school and after graduation, you can always access WMU-Cooley’s extensive and dynamic alumni network. CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE • You will be supported by a staff of experienced career advisors, many of whom are lawyers themselves • Year-round, on-campus interview programs • Sample résumés and cover letters • Internet job-search resources
• Career-resource library • Mock-interview programs • Job fairs and conference listings • Distinguished guest speaker series • Professional Development Series • Résumé and cover-letter workshops
• Volunteer Opportunities – matching law-related organizations with law students who seek substantive volunteer experience
• Access to Large Database – where students can research employers, apply for jobs, schedule counseling appointments, and RSVP to events
A MENTORING ALUMNI NETWORK With 21,000 WMU-Cooley alumni across the country and around the world, you will have access to a vast network of successful practicing lawyers who are available as advisors and mentors as you begin your legal career.
WMU-Cooley alumni pride themselves in knowing that they have received an education that is one of the best in the nation. Our alumni have gone on to successful careers in every state in the nation and around the world.
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MICHIGAN
4 5 50 STUDY IN MICHIGAN OR FLO SEASONS TO ENJOY
BEAUTIFUL GREAT LAKES SURROUND MICHIGAN
FAST FACTS 59
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
%
OF MICHIGAN IS COVERED WITH FORESTS AND WOODS
So ask yourself: Do I want to live and study in the beauty of the Great Lakes State? Or in the warmth of the Florida sun? STUDY LAW IN THE GREAT LAKES STATE
• The state Capitol with its • Detroit is known as the car • Michigan has more than majestic dome was built in capital of the world, boasts 11,000 inland lakes and Lansing in l879. some of the nation’s best more than 36,000 miles of Art Deco-era architecture, streams. • Enjoy all four seasons. and supports a sizzling Water ski or snow ski six • Michigan has 116 restaurant scene. months apart and spend lighthouses and summers enjoying the • Michigan has the longest navigational lights. splendor of the Great freshwater shoreline in the Lakes. world.
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1 2 ORIDA. YOUR CHOICE. #
LONGEST FRESHWATER COASTLINE
THE ONLY STATE TO BOAST TWO PENINSULAS
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
20 6 6
Compare both and consider visits to see all the benefit first-hand. WMU-Cooley can bring you the best of the Midwes and of the South with a single enrollment.
• Standing anywhere in • Forty of Michigan’s 83 Michigan a person is within counties adjoin at least 85 miles of one of the Great one of the Great Lakes. Lakes. Michigan is the only state that touches four of the fiv Great Lakes.
• Michigan includes 56,954 • Lansing is the state square miles of land area; capital of Michigan, and 1,194 square miles of is an important center inland waters; and 38,575 for educational, cultural, square miles of Great Lakes governmental, commercial, water area. and industrial functions.
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FLORIDA
0 244 2 YEAR-ROUND ADMISSIONS: STATE TAXES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA
FAST FACTS 59
SUNNY DAYS/YEAR
#
LONGEST COASTLINE STRETCHING FOR 8,436 MILES
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
No matter which campus you choose, you will learn in an outstanding, spacious facility with every technological advantage. WMU-Cooley provides a comfortable, inviting learning environment. STUDY LAW IN THE SUNSHINE STATE • It is hot and sunny most days. Plan an outdoor event knowing that the weather is likely to be good. • No need to shovel snow, scrape ice off your car windows, or dress in heavy layers.
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• No state taxes to pay in Florida. • World-class beaches and state parks are abundant. Venture out to the coast and be back on the same day from almost anywhere you live in the state.
• A great place for all water sports, including boating, diving, swimming, and of course, surfing • Play outdoor sports, such as golf and tennis, all year-round at amazing high-quality facilities.
400 1 1 MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA SQUARE MILES OPEN WATER ESTUARY IN TAMPA BAY
#
FLORIDA HAS MORE GOLF COURSES THAN ANY OTHER STATE
#
LARGEST PRODUCER OF WATERMELON, TOMATOES, STRAWBERRIES, AND SUGAR IN THE COUNTRY.
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
20 6 6
Unlike any other law school in America, WMU-Cooley enables you to choose the perfect setting for your law school experience and your lifestyle — one that is just right for you. Arrange a visit at wmich.edu/law and see for yourself. • Lots of theme parks (for example: Disney, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens) and leisure/recreational venues for the entire family. • Tampa Bay beaches have been rated among the
best in the state and in the country. • Lots of nature trails, springs, rivers, and lakes to explore. Plus there’s the Florida Everglades. • The state is cosmopolitan with a varied population
representing people of all ages and races. Perhaps only New York has a greater cultural diversity. • Reasonable cost of living and home prices in many parts of Florida. • Grow oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and avocados in your own backyard.
AMENITIES YOU WILL ENJOY, AT BOTH CAMPUSES • Spacious and modern facilities • Appellate and trial courtrooms • High-tech courtrooms & classrooms • Expansive and comfortable library • Wireless access • Career & Professional Development offic • Academic Resource Center • Student Bar Association • Student organizations • Student services • In-house clinics • Access to more than 3,000 externship sites • Full-time faculty for required courses • Faculty advisor
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FAST FACTS 59
visit
Apply
ANYTIME throughout the year. admissions@cooley.edu 517-371-5140 ext. 2244 wmich.edu/law
NO APPLICATION FEE wmich.edu/law
TAKE THE NEXT STEP WMU-Cooley is a great choice for your legal education. We help you plan for a fulfilling, successful law caree . We work to give you the tools you need to become the best lawyer you can be. And we are committed to your success — from your first day at WMU-Cooley t long after you graduate. Take the next step. Come to WMU-Cooley and unlock your potential to achieve in ways you may never have imagined.
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“ IF YOU NEED HELP YOU CAN GET IT.
The selling point is the professsors. Not a bad one yet and all are different. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY PREPARES YOU FOR THE PRACTICE OF LAW. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT TAMPA BAY CAMPUS
WMU-Cooley is new, with current technology, and all in one building. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT TAMPA BAY CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
I am amazed at the number of resources and professors available. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
OUR PRE-REQS ARE ALL SUBJECT MATTER FOR THE BAR EXAM. WE WILL BE MORE PREPARED FOR THE BAR.
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT TAMPA BAY CAMPUS
I was really anxious for a change, and WMU-Cooley gave me the option to start in May.
Employers like us because we know what we’re doing.
They will always meet you halfway.
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
IT’S LESS CUTTHROAT. BUT IT STILL HAS THE COMPETITIVE EDGE YOU NEED FOR LAW PRACTICE. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS
It’s so close-knit here, and smaller. It feels more like a family even with people you haven’t met before.
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
FACULTY AND STAFF ARE SUPPORTIVE AND MAKE ME FEEL AT HOME.
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
I BELIEVE ITS PRACTICAL APPROACH TO EDUCATION IS UNMATCHED.
It feels more like a family.
THE WEEKEND PROGRAM WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE AND I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO IS TRYING TO JUGGLE LIFE WITH LAW SCHOOL.
Other law schools would not have this much diversity. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
You came out prepared for both taking the bar and understanding the law. WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
MY PROFESSORS WERE DEFINITELY THE BEST THING. SO EXPERIENCED, KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND DEDICATED TO OUR LEARNING. WMU-COOLEY ALUMNI
OUR PROFESSORS CARE SO MUCH ABOUT US SUCCEEDING, AND EVEN BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.
”
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT TAMPA BAY CAMPUS
THEY EMPHASIZE AND REQUIRE INTERNSHIPS AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.
Besides receiving a great education and preparation for the bar, I met amazing people.
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
300 S. CAPITOL AVE.
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LANSING, MI 48933
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(517) 371-5140, EXT. 2244
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WMICH.EDU/LAW
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MICHIGAN | FLORIDA
