Spring and Winter Commencements at Michigan and Florida Campuses

as they begin the next phase of their lives. He gave graduates reasons to not only hold onto hope, but to increase it. He featured five of his former students who went on to do amazing things after graduation, despite struggles and adversity.

MICHIGAN On April 8, six master of laws degrees and 50 juris doctor degrees were conferred to members of WMU-Cooley Law School’s Justice Joseph McKenna Class in Lansing. Hannah Leah Ortiz was chosen by her peers to present the valedictory remarks. Presenting the keynote address was John S. Brennan, son of the late Thomas E. Brennan Sr., founder of Cooley Law School. He is a former WMU-Cooley professor, and partner at Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes.

During the valedictory remarks, Ortiz thanked the law school’s faculty for teaching the graduates how to meet challenges and fears head on.

While describing many adversities in the world today, Brennan stated that graduates may have reason to feel anxious

FLORIDA At WMU-Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus, juris doctor degrees were conferred to 30 members of the law school’s Justice Joseph McKenna Class on April 15. Chosen by her peers, Jessica Sivillo presented the valedictory remarks. The keynote address was presented by the Hon. Jigisa Patel-Dookhoo (2009, Coleman Class) of the 18th Circuit Court in Viera, Florida.

Sivillo spoke to her fellow graduates about the growth and many achievements it took to get them to this day.

During the keynote, PatelDookhoo explained to graduates that fear can either cripple you or motivate you, so stay focused on goals and move forward.

MICHIGAN Two classes of WMU-Cooley’s Michigan campus graduates of WMU-Cooley Law School were honored during a graduation ceremony on Dec. 10, 2022 at the Michigan State University Wharton Center Pasant Theater. The commencement ceremony combined the members of WMUCooley’s Justice Thomas Emmett Brennan, Sr. and Justice David Josiah Brewer classes.

Twenty-nine juris doctor degrees and five master of laws degrees were conferred to members of the Brennan Class and 36 juris doctor degrees and five master of laws degrees were conferred to members of the Brewer Class.

Neda Pari was chosen to present the valedictory remarks for the Brennan Class and Christopher White was chosen for the Brewer Class. The Hon. Anthony Flores (1992, McGrath Class), judge of the 54-A District Court in Lansing, gave the keynote address. He encouraged the graduates to find their own path and passion in what they love in the practice of law and they will succeed.

FLORIDA Graduates of WMUCooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus were honored during a graduation ceremony on Dec. 15, 2022, at the University of South Florida Oval Theater. During the commencement, 23 juris doctor degrees were conferred to members of the law school’s Brennan Class and 22 juris doctor degrees were conferred to members of the Brewer Class. Kimberly (Shana) Mitchell was chosen to give valedictory remarks for the Brennan Class, while Alberto (Tito) Gonzalez was chosen to give remarks for the Brewer Class. Attorney and WMU-Cooley Law School board member Mustafa Ameen (2006, Fitzgerald Class) presented the keynote address. Ameen shared how knowledge and preparedness can not only help clients, it can also change their lives for the better.

In a special tribute to the late Judge Thomas E. Brennan, Sr., his daughter, Marybeth Hicks, honored her father by speaking during the Florida commencement.