Benchmark | Winter 2020 by Cooley Law School

Benchmark

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL ALUMNI MAGAZINE | WINTER 2020

JENNIFER FRANCE Ignorance is Not Bliss JOHN NOCITA Competitive Edge

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL ALUMNI MAGAZINE | WINTER 2020

Letter from the

President and Dean Benchmark EDITOR Terry Carella CO-EDITOR Sharon Matchette ALUMNI AND DONOR RELATIONS Pamela Heos Director of Donor Relations Helen Haessly Acting Director of Alumni Relations CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Terry Carella, Sharon Matchette DESIGN Image Creative Group PHOTOGRAPHY Tom Gennara, Terry Carella, Picture This Photography SUBMISSIONS Benchmark seeks story ideas from graduates on a variety of subjects such as graduate achievements, international experiences, cultural diversity, legal information helpful to practitioners, unique law practices, advice to prospective law students, and special events. If you would like to share a story idea, please write, call, or e-mail: Communications Office WMU-Cooley Law School 300 S. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933 (517) 371-5140 ext. 2916 communications@cooley.edu Benchmark is published twice a year by the Communications Office of Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. ALUMNI DIRECTORY The alumni directory is located in the WMU-Cooley portal. You will need an individual user name and password to access the database. Please call the Alumni Office at 517-371-5140, ext. 2045, or e-mail alumni@cooley.edu with questions.

Like you, WMU-Cooley Law School is living through unique and challenging times. COVID-19 and the impact of the pandemic have challenged all of us in the field of higher education. This disease has made an emotional and financial impression on nearly every person across the globe. WMUCooley has been challenged in myriad ways this past year and proved our resolve and readiness to meet these obstacles and whatever demands 2021 may bring. I am confident that our recent campus consolidation is the path forward for a secure future for our law school. I am also convinced that the mutual agreement between Western Michigan University and Cooley Law School to not renew our affiliation when it expires in 2023 will give our program greater flexibility as we further focus on our unique mission to provide equitable access to a legal education. We will double down on our commitment to prepare practice-ready lawyers in a program that provides a modern and rigorous legal education for all individuals who have dreamed of being a lawyer. Since I became your president and dean in July 2019, WMU-Cooley has swiftly embraced measures to solidify our reputation as a leader in modern legal education. We have been carefully and systematically refining our program, which has helped us enormously in our approach to teaching in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our faculty and our staff have embraced modern teaching techniques, increased our admissions profile, and decreased tuition by 21 percent, as we consolidate our physical footprint into two campuses. As we embrace many modern techniques, we also reclaim the spirit and drive of Thomas M. Cooley Law School. These are bold moves that we hope will assure our students and alums that we are on the right trajectory for the continued success of their alma mater. We are so very proud of the accomplishments and success of our over 20,000 graduates across the nation and worldwide. This issue of Benchmark, as in every issue, features the strength and conviction of some of our incredible alumni. Our history is yours, and we are thankful for your support and donations over the decades. I hope that we can count on you again to participate in our 2020 Annual Fund. Your school and our students need your support more than ever. You can easily donate online, or by using the enclosed Giving Envelope for your convenience. All the best to you and yours,

James McGrath Professor, President and Dean WMU-COOLEY BOARD OF DIRECTORS THOMAS W. CRANMER HON. LOUISE ALDERSON Miller Canfield Chair, Board of Directors Troy, Michigan 54-A District Court Lansing, Michigan SCOTT A. DIENES Vice-Chair, Board of Directors MUSTAFA AMEEN Barnes & Thornburg, LLP Law Office of Ameen & Shafii Grand Rapids, Michigan Tampa, Florida JOHN M. DUNN AARON V. BURRELL President Emeritus of Dickinson Wright PLLC Western Michigan University Detroit, Michigan Kalamazoo, Michigan CHRISTINA L. CORL SHARON M. HANLON Plunkett Cooney Law Office of Sharon M. Columbus, Ohio Hanlon, PA Naples, Florida

HON. MICHAEL P. HATTY Chief Judge, 44th Circuit Court, 53rd District Court Livingston County HON. JANE E. MARKEY Michigan Court of Appeals Grand Rapids, Michigan KENNETH V. MILLER Millennium Restaurant Group, LLC Kalamazoo, Michigan LAWRENCE P. NOLAN Nolan, Thomsen & Villas P.C. Eaton Rapids, Michigan

HON. BART STUPAK Venable, LLP Washington, D.C. JORDAN V. SUTTON Sutton Advisors PLC Lansing, Michigan MITCHELL S. ZAJAC Butzel Long Detroit, Michigan

Contents Features Winter 2020

2 6 9 12

JENNIFER FRANCE As the Chief Public Defender for Chippewa County in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Jennifer France takes her role very seriously. She has made it her job to help the poor and indigent by leading and paving a path to equality and hope.

JOHN NOCITA Although John Nocita had a criminal justice degree coming out of college, it took some time to channel his passion for helping others into a successful career as a criminal defense attorney.

MAURICE MOSS Growing up in rural southeastern Missouri, Maurice Moss didn’t have many attorney role models to get advice and find as a mentor. That didn’t stop him from rising quickly to the top of his legal field.

KYLE STROBRIDGE AND MEGAN HUNTER Finding justice for their clients now has clients seeking them out, as The Law Office of Strobridge & Hunter expands their footprint across Michigan’s Montcalm and Kent counties.

JENNIFER FRANCE, WILSON CLASS, 2001 BY TERRY CARELLA

Ignorance is Not Bliss. Education and Building Trust Opens the Door for Healing.

JENNIFER FRANCE

Jennifer France (Wilson Class, 2001) was born on a very small island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Chippewa County called Neebish Island. Her grandfather built and ran the ferry that connected the tiny community to the UP’s mainland. It was a place where everyone worked hard; everyone helped each other.

These values have stuck with France throughout her life. “When we lived on the island, I learned that if you wanted anything you had to work hard for it,” declared France. “Even when cold weather would shut down the shipping on the river it wouldn’t slow us down; we just took snowmobiles back and forth across the frozen ice.” The same work ethic applied when the family moved to the mainland to farm the fertile land, manage livestock, and participate in the entire farm ecosystem. They knew it was going to take a commitment to hard work and the hands of many. Growing up, the mantra was, “If you work hard, you’ll get what you deserve.” Since France’s first job at 14, she has been true to herself and her beliefs. Despite always having “13 balls in the air trying to juggle them,” she emphatically says that she loves it. And that she loves being able to help people.

VALUES FIRMLY FIXED It is that love of helping others that got her pointing to a legal career, but it took some discovering during college to come to that realization. It was her internship with a local law firm, working with an attorney on some family law cases,

where the lightbulb went off. She really enjoyed the work, but she especially loved that she was able to help people in real need. After finishing college in three and a half years, France found herself sitting idle in December after graduation. She was itching to get going on law school and started researching schools that entered classes in January. She discovered that WMU-Cooley’s J.D. program not only entered classes in January, they also had a two-year program.

“I’ll be honest, I hated school. But I knew I had to do it, so I crunched the numbers and it was going to cost the same regardless, so I said to myself, ‘let’s do it.’” JENNIFER FRANCE

“Cooley had everything I needed to make it happen, and it was only four hours away from my home base. But it was definitely the two-year program and being able to start at any time

throughout the year. That was the number one thing. I was able to start right away.” Never one to shy away from hard work, France made a point of trying out as many things as she could during law school to hone in on her focus. “I took a bunch of different classes. I participated in the elder law clinic through Cooley. It was a wonderful program, just not quite for me,” said France. But through her experiences, she learned what she liked and didn’t like. She knew she wanted to help people, but needed to figure out how. It wasn’t until she had experience doing legal work on the criminal end that she knew what she needed to do. She wanted to help people who truly couldn’t afford help.

SERVING THE POOR AND INDIGENT After France graduated and returned to the Sault Ste. Marie area, she quickly gravitated to indigent defense where she did contract work for multiple counties and the area reservations. That start turned into some well-deserved promotions, including deputy public defender, and now as Chief Public Defender for Chippewa County. (continued)

JENNIFER FRANCE

In her present leadership position, she sees clearly the problems that need addressing in her community. The solutions, she admits, are going to take a commitment on all ends. Undeterred, she is working hard to put into place a social work program and implement key education goals to best serve her clients.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON NATIVE AMERICANS

“Many of my clients feel fighting is futile because no one has ever given a damn about them,” France bluntly says about the existing criminal justice system. “So when they come to our office and we show them that we do care, that we respect them, and that they’re not just a number, we have a chance to change hearts and minds.”

“I reside in a county that we have a very large Native American population, so they’re the minority here,” explains France. “We don’t have a lot of African Americans in our county, but the Native Americans were hit very hard, especially because their major source of income were the casinos, which, of course, were shut down immediately.

For many, France is the one person who makes sure to tell her clients what they need to know and their rights; she doesn’t just tell them what they want to hear or the easy way out. Despite case overload, France and her team make sure to ask the important questions. “We all take the time to say, ‘How can we help you? Are you okay? How’s your mental health? Do you need to get into the behavioral health center? What can we do?’ And even though sometimes I’m a tough mama bear to them, they keep coming back. They bring me their children when they have their own children so I can see their babies. They just want someone to care. “I love it – it seems weird though,” shares France. “You hear a lot of public defenders say they don’t like their job. Well, I do. And I like my clients. They can’t help their situation and I love trying to help them.”

France is concerned over how this pandemic has disproportionately affected marginalized groups, and for Chippewa County that puts a spotlight on the racial inequities of Native Americans.

Black or African American American Indian or Alaska Native Hispanic or Latino Asian White

educate the judges on solutions that match the crimes and have better actual short- and long-term outcomes.” According to France, the solution is not an easy one. “It doesn’t matter what the race or nationality of marginalized groups, whether African American, Hispanic, or Native. It’s a distrust, I think, of white people that is deeprooted in every minority. I have worked very hard to build and earn that trust in my community. They need to know someone is in their corner and that they will be supported.”

France believes people need to lead by example to build trust in a community, taking a change of heart and head stance. There is a need to The Pandemic’s Racial Disparity build progressive teams, Covid-19 deaths per 100,000 people in the U.S. by race or ethnicity (as of July 30, 2020) including investigators, 74 social workers, and attorneys alike, providing 40 proper training and 40 education to recognize 31 privilege and discrimination 30 and how to empathize.

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander

Other

Data Source: The COVID Tracking Project

“We are already working with a population that’s very vulnerable to addiction. Their struggles have only been made that much worse during this pandemic. It doesn’t make sense to me. Why do poor clients continue to have to be punished for being poor? Things like not being able to afford tether or having to stay in jail because they got caught with a small amount of meth and they need to come up with a $10,000 bond? It’s still going on – we’re still having that fight. So, what I’m trying to do is

“These are deep-seated mistrusts,” reiterates France. “Just like when you’ve been betrayed, it’s the same for Native Americans. My hope is that if we can show them the path to equality and hope, we can start making changes to adjust the system. The way I plan to push the path forward is a step-by-step approach to continue to build trust, care for our clients, educate our community; all while leading by example. France has an avocation and passion to serve those who need it the most. It’s getting noticed, not only by her clients

and colleagues, but by the State Bar of Michigan (SBM), who appointed France on Oct. 1, 2020 to the State Bar’s Access to Justice Policy Committee.

WORK AND PLAY HARD As hard as France works, she also believes it is equally important to play hard. That means she and her husband, Chuck, take to the outdoors as much as they can. “We have a cabin, so we take any chance we can to be there,” smiles France. “We love enjoying this beautiful country – God’s country from my perspective. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I love getting up on Sunday mornings and head outside to pick blackberries or go hunting, 4-wheeling, or ATVing. I am very much into nature, gardening, and being able to grow my own food. I

love eating my own goulash with my own vegetables or the venison I shot this year.” Being around family and friends keeps France centered, and staying home just reading a book keeps her content and grounded. Just living in a place surrounded by beauty is exactly what she wants to do when she’s not working and helping others. She admits that it’s not a life for everyone, but perfect for her. If you ask France what she sees herself doing down the road, she ponders the possibility of running for judge, but stops short. “I won’t say it’s impossible, but right now I can’t see myself doing anything else. I love what I do and making a difference. I love it too much.”

Student Advice > I would tell any law student, be humble. Always be humble. It’s okay that you don’t know it all. No matter how long you’ve been a lawyer, you learn something new every day. > Admit when you’re wrong, it only gives you credibility and makes you more likeable. > Take advantage of learning opportunities as a law student. > Ask for help, because believe it or not, lawyers are some of the most giving people in the world.

> Learn to work together. > You only have one life to live. Enjoy it. Learn to appreciate and enjoy the life you have been given. > If there is anything this pandemic has taught us, it’s don’t take family and friends for granted. > Pay it forward. A very generous man took me in as an intern, and we’re still friends today. I owe him a debt of gratitude. Jennifer and her husband, Chuck, enjoying a bonfire at their cabin

Four wheeling with friends. Jennifer (second from right), next to her husband, Chuck

JOHN NOCITA, TURNER CLASS, 1991

John Nocita John Nocita BY TERRY CARELLA

John Nocita (Turner Class, 1991) knew he loved sports. In fact, sports was pretty much his life. He didn’t let his 5’ 9” stature, though, hold him back. He forgot about football or hockey and gravitated to DO WHAT sports YOU that would give him LIKE TO DOanAND edge to excel and fulfill DO IT BESThis competitive nature.

“I was a good athlete,” recalled Nocita. “I was into wrestling, but started to realize in college that there was no future as a wrestler. So boxing entered my head. I grew up with Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns and the like, and thought I would give it a try. I didn’t see any reason I wouldn’t be successful at it.” But it was the voice of a senior wrestler friend when he was a sophomore in college that really pointed him away from a sports career to thinking about law school. He imagined a life as an attorney and it seemed to be a good idea to him. He was feeling like he needed to get serious about what he wanted to do in life. By the time Nocita was a senior in college, and had moved back closer to the Chicago area to finish his degree at the University of Illinois Chicago, he began looking into law schools. Only he wasn’t sure getting the degree in Chicago was going to give him the best experience. He wanted to branch out. That’s how

he landed on his decision to attend WMU-Cooley Law School. “I got accepted to two law schools in Chicago, but I decided to go to Cooley because it was not in Chicago. I figured going away to Michigan, to Lansing, would be ideal for me, and it would serve a dual purpose. Not only would I earn my law degree, I could also take advantage of some of the greatest boxing gyms and boxers in the world. And that’s what I did,” reminisced Nocita. One of Nocita’s favorite memories during his time in law school was the conversations he would have with Professor Maurice Munroe. They would often find themselves walking into or out of the classroom together. “Professor Munroe would see me running around town, sometimes in the morning, then in the afternoon, and even at night when I had evening classes, getting into shape for boxing. He would always say, ‘Wow, how do you get to work out

three times a day before you come to class?’ I would always laugh and answer, ‘Well, I enjoy it, and what else am I going to do? I don’t know anyone here!” Nocita still enjoys boxing today. In fact, he trains and manages some of the top ranked fighters in the world.

CAREER DIRECTION Although Nocita had a criminal justice degree, he wasn’t certain that a criminal defense path was for him, so he looked into a number of avenues, in law school and after he graduated. But it was his experience teaching college accredited classes in Criminal Justice for Jackson Community College at the State prison in Jackson, Michigan, that he realized he enjoyed teaching and helping people. Yet he wasn’t sure how to channel his passions into a career. He tried representing movie stars and athletes, but he felt it was too much like a “babysitting job.” He spent time in a real estate tax

“Being at Cooley was probably the best time of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I got to meet so many nice people; very good education. Those professors were pretty darn good. They were tough, and made me the person I am today. So I’m grateful for the opportunity Cooley gave me.” JOHN NOCITA

side you’re on, you have to identify the facts in the case before you jump to conclusions and pass judgment. Even though it’s up to So after two years of trying things the prosecution and the defense out, Nocita learned that his heart to sell their truth to the state was truly in the courtroom doing attorney, judge or jury, the truth criminal defense work. It was can only be found in the facts. the joy of defending those who needed the most help, especially “The bad guys take advantage of those who had been “taken some people and some people advantage of or abused.” take advantage of the bad guys,” explained Nocita. “Any way “It was odd. I was comfortable you look at it, someone needs with defendants,” said Nocita. help. Today, there seems to be “I found working with clients a breakdown of law and order. and defending their interests That breakdown hurts everyone fascinating. It wasn’t like I knew on both sides, especially when all the criminals and all the bad it’s being politicized to fuel guys. It just seemed like a good divisiveness. Unbiased review of fit, which is important in the facts will lead to the truth.” a career.” According to Nocita, it’s not only BAD GUYS VS. GOOD GUYS a matter of upholding the law, it’s In criminal defense, there’s the ability to see what’s fair and intuitively a line drawn between what’s right. When the pendulum good and bad. But according to swings too far on one side, it is Nocita, it doesn’t matter which firm, and figured out quickly that he didn’t like “sitting behind a desk all day.”

necessary for it to swing the other the case, he found himself in a way to find balance and a center. predicament waiting in court for a jury verdict. He had to decide Nocita recognizes though that the between waiting for the verdict pandemic has changed the face or catching the next flight out of practice. It will be different, to return to Chicago before they regardless. closed everything down due to a COVID-19 outbreak. He left “Procedures and rules are before the verdict was in, then changing fast,” said Nocita. “I learned when he landed that wouldn’t know how to advise it was a hung jury; 10 to 2 someone to manage all this, or not guilty. how anyone could. This is the first time we’ve seen a pandemic. This is how court is conducted now. How do I cross examine witnesses? How do I sell a jury? How do I try to convince a judge or a state’s attorney or a judge on a video feed? It’s much harder to do now. “I think many will say that these changes should stick, but that being said, I have yet to meet a lawyer or a judge who prefers it this way, so we will see.”

The case involved a Chicago man who was a Ranger in the U.S. Army, working as a soldier, when he was charged with three counts of murder. The family was devastated. They didn’t believe it and hired Nocita to help. Not knowing all the facts and not one to jump to judgment, he left for Anchorage, Alaska, to put together a defense dream team and uncover the facts. “The case was remarkable

TRIPLE MURDER TRIAL IN because the planned one-month trial ended up lasting much ALASKA Nocita feels fortunate that his practice hasn’t slowed down during the pandemic, but that can’t be said for all. The impact is real, and those changes have happened across the country. The fact is, he’s been very busy.

longer, shared Nocita. “The story unfolded over three months. It really was a triple murder. There was a guy working security for a precious metal shop with two partners who got into an argument. My guy steps into the middle of it, then one of the partners grabbed his pistol and shot the other partner. Now it looks like my guy shot the partner. Remember, everyone in Alaska carries side arms.”

Early on in the pandemic, Nocita found himself embroiled in a triplemurder trial in Alaska. After months of working on Nocita continues by describing Rose and John Nocita

(continued)

JOHN NOCITA

a scramble that only one might see on television. “My guy tries to leave the shop, but two neighbors from upstairs run down with their firearms drawn yelling ‘shoot him, shoot him.’ One guy comes up on my guy, puts his arm around his neck and holds a gun up to his head, thinking he did the shooting, when he didn’t. “He has to make a decision fast and shoots the guy holding him down and then the guy on the stairs. Ends up killing the two guys. It was self-defense, but you can see there are some pretty complicated facts to figure out. A lot of bullets, a lot of chaos, a lot of people and probably had about 30 witnesses, so it was quite an ordeal.” According to Nocita, the hung jury had a lot to do with the jury selection process. “We lost all of our Army guys, police officers on the jury; everyone who understood weapon use. We needed those folks to explain to the other jurors why this bullet couldn’t have come from my guy’s gun and would have come from the other guy’s gun.” As much as Nocita was disappointed in the hung jury, he was glad he was a part of assisting someone who truly needed his help. Despite things, he enjoyed traveling to a new place and meeting new people. In his life, he has enjoyed traveling the entire country and experiencing people from around the world.

TRAVELING THE WORLD One thing he has noticed in his travels is that he’s never too far away from a good time or bumping into another WMU-Cooley graduate.

“I was flying into Idaho one time when I realized the airline had lost my luggage. I wasn’t able to get replacement clothes, so I end up in the courtroom wearing shorts and a T-shirt, just like the movie My Cousin Vinny. The judge thinks I’m the defendant so I have to explain what happened,” smiles Nocita. “The judge starts laughing and it all ended up being a great experience. “In Montana, after a cold, crazy travel day, I make my way to the attorney’s office for a meeting. I walk in and she looks at me, turns her head, and asks me where I went to law school. I tell her Cooley Law School, and she gives me a great smile and says, ‘I did too!’ It’s great that you can go anywhere and see so many grads out doing great things.” Nocita also has friends around the country who want to thank him for his work, including gifting him a bust of Thomas M. Cooley. The only problem was the bust lived in a museum in Washington, D.C., and weighed 2,000 lbs. He thought about what he was going to do with it, and immediately thought of the law school. That was really where this belonged. That led to an adventure for Nocita, though, trying to get the bust and the marble pedestal to the campus in Lansing, Michigan. “I remember I had to go somewhere in Virginia near D.C.,” tells Nocita. “I had a trucker client there and asked him to do me favor by picking this up at the museum. Well, he finds out it’s not all that easy. He needed a special fork lift or jack to even get it moved. He then carefully drives it back to Chicago. Then it’s on me to get a forklift to get it out.” The tale got more complicated when Nocita and his wife, Rose, then took the

Career Advice > Realize how little you know, no matter what stage you are at in your > Take advice, but career > Surround more importantly yourself with follow the advice > First and foremost, find a good mentor and ask questions

always brings you people smarter than you, and use to the dance them as a resource > Do what you like to do and do best > Give back because no one gets there on their own; someone

2,000-pound gift to Lansing, Michigan, in the cold and snow. The treacherous drive almost completely derailed less than a mile away from campus when Nocita suddenly hit ice and the U-Haul carrying the priceless cargo slid and swerved, barely missing the surrounding traffic. There was a visible sigh of relief when Nocita and his wife arrived at 300 S. Capitol Ave. to deliver the bust of Thomas M. Cooley to its new home, where it still lives today in the main lobby of the Cooley Center. Nocita remembers his time at the law school fondly. “Being at Cooley was probably the best time of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I got to meet so many nice people; very good education. Those professors were pretty darn good. They were tough, and made me the person I am today. So I’m grateful for the opportunity Cooley gave me.”

John Nocita has made a point of attending all WMU-Cooley alumni events in the greater Chicago area over the last 15 years. He has generously paid for a number of these events, along with other alumni who have contributed. Nocita said he feels it is a small way of giving back to an institution that has given him a successful career practicing law. Nocita’s continued support and generosity have earned him membership in the Thomas M. Cooley Society, the school’s donor recognition society. His financial contributions also include an impressive bronze bust of Thomas M. Cooley on a beautiful green marble pedestal which he transported himself to Lansing. It is proudly on display in the lobby of the Cooley Center.

MAURICE MOSS, WITHERELL CLASS, 2010

Maurice Moss BY SHARON MATCHETTE

Growing up in rural southeastern Missouri, Maurice Moss (Witherell Class, 2010) didn’t have any professional role models to look up to. When he, his sister or their parents left the family farm to seek out services, they found no one who looked like them. Whether it was doctors, dentists, teachers, bankers, police, government officials, lawyers or any other professional, those positions of authority and success were uniformly filled by Caucasians. “I grew up in the Boot Hill area of southeast Missouri,” Moss shared. “It’s a rural, predominantly African-American area, with lots of farming. I never met an African-American professional growing up.” In that environment, he recalled, it never even occurred to him that he’d grow up to be one of those professionals that he never saw in his youth. “I was late to the ‘I want to be a

lawyer’ party,” Moss said with a chuckle. Moss’ early undergraduate education at Oral Roberts University (ORU) was primarily environmental, in part because he is a lifelong conservationist, and in part because he attended college as a scholar student with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA program includes scholarships, but Moss was already receiving a full

scholarship through athletics. The USDA, committed to encouraging the careers of under-represented populations, not only made sure Moss could attend college, they had a job waiting for him after graduation. So, in his junior year, when Moss – awakened to the idea that he could truly be anything he wanted to be – started considering law school, he dove into research looking for

locations that had both USDA jobs and law schools close to each other. Moss took a USDA job in East Lansing, Michigan, enrolled at WMU-Cooley Law School a short distance away in Lansing, and jumped on the path of full-time work and parttime law school studies. He made it work, although he admits he didn’t really believe “the whole lawyer thing” was real until he’d graduated and (continued)

“Personally, I would say we need to be a steward of the environment. We can use our natural resources, but we have an obligation to take care of it. We need to minimize our impact on those valuable resources.” MAURICE MOSS

Solar farm, Springfield, Missouri

MAURICE MOSS

two aspects of his career that give involving discussions regarding rates, acquiring assets, managing him energy every day. litigation, environmental issues, “Someone pays me to give them and anything that hits my desk. advice,” he related in wonder. I would say the most challenging “They say, ‘Hey, Maurice, what do part of my job is the change of you think?’ and then your word is pace and the volume of work.” gold and they run with it!” Contracts with Martin-Scott Most days find Moss in three to is a standout memory, but it The other energizer is that Moss four internal meetings. When wasn’t just the class for which is at the top of his game in a he’s not in meetings, he’s he’s grateful. Martin-Scott, hard-to-navigate, ever-changing usually reviewing rule changes “Personally, I would say we Moss recalled, “did an excellent field. “It’s changing so fast. I’m regarding energy and gas markets need to be a steward of the job with the material, but she in this field and I’m one of the and determining the impact of environment. We can use our also always offered a ton of few experts known at a national those changes to the utility or encouragement. I would also say natural resources, but we have an level.” determining the utility’s position. Professor Stevie Swanson was by obligation to take care of it. We far one of my favorite professors. need to minimize our impact on Moss isn’t bragging – he’s excited In between meetings, he reviews or drafts agreements, positions She had a great sense humor and those valuable resources.” to have entered a complicated and opinions regarding the impact treated you like a colleague.” As field and become conversant Although the utility still has of Federal Energy Regulatory the first in his family to attend with its fast-paced, evercoal generation, of course, Moss Commission and Missouri Public college, Moss found the support changing rules, regulations, and said they have actively pursued Service Commission’s orders or invaluable. implications. renewables. The utility currently D.C. Circuit rulings. has a 40 percent renewable PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS “My favorite aspect of the job is And he looks forward to the mix portfolio, which includes Ten years after graduating from the changing landscape,” Moss contracts for three wind farms, a said. “I manage and provide legal every day. Moss said his wife, WMU-Cooley, Moss is the utility Christa, told him “You are one solar project, hydropower, and a counsel for City Utilities of advice on all matters involving program to use landfill gases Springfield. He joined the utility sale of electric and gas services, of very few attorneys I know who nearly four years ago and is a for power. which includes matters involving loves their job every single day.” leader in the complicated energy interstate gas pipelines, electric Maurice and Christa Moss first Moss, considered a leader in his law field. transmission lines, electric met while running track in field, is thrilled with both the generation, and even residential college. Maurice, an All-State While the energy professions have job and the surprise of being a rooftop solar. athlete in track in high school, historically seemed in conflict sought-after expert. The novelty was on a full track athletic with nature advocates, Moss never wears off and is one of the “My day is full of meetings passed the bar. Along the way, he credits WMU-Cooley Professor Mable Martin-Scott and former Professor Stevie Swanson for their game-changing support of him in his studies.

has no trouble combining the goals of both. With a bachelor’s degree in Government and a minor in Environmental Studies, and a J.D with an environmental concentration, Moss is a lifelong conservationist. He makes it work with his career because of his deep-seated beliefs that the two fields don’t have to be enemies.

Maurice with his wife, Christa, and their son, James.

scholarship at ORU, specializing in short sprinting events that required speed. The two first encountered each other while Maurice was involved in her recruitment to run track in college. Christa Moss, a U.S. Assistant Attorney in Springfield, Missouri, clearly has strong, positive opinions about her husband’s lawyering abilities as well. Maurice chuckles that Christa often tells him that he underestimates his own skills. Others also recognize publicly that Moss is at the top of his game in a complicated field. Moss was recently named one of “40 Under 40” by the Springfield Business Journal. He was nominated by his manager, who also clearly values Moss’ skills.

GIVING BACK As dedicated to, and immersed in, his career as he is, Moss has another passion – improving diversity. From both a personal and professional standpoint, Moss believes in, and actively works to increase,

diverse representation in the workplace. And he comes at the problem from both ends of the spectrum – from encouraging and mentoring individuals at a personal level, to promoting the value of diversity to businesses using his leadership position to speak out. Moss is involved in a number of outreach activities. He and Christa were a “Big Couple” with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. When their “Little” brother wanted to play baseball he asked Moss – a huge baseball fan – to coach. Moss ended up coaching baseball in the Boys and Girls Club for five years. He became even more involved in the organization, becoming a member of its board of directors. Moss is also involved in The Empowerment Group, which is a group of college African American young men. He mentors and assists them in taking full advantage of their academic years. He also helps them to better understand and practice their full responsibilities, rights, and privileges as citizens.

Moss is actively involved in the mentoring process. “I usually meet my mentee for lunch and send text messages to see how he is doing with school and extracurricular activities. We have a monthly meeting where we work on education and internship plans as a group. Being a first-generation college student, I totally understand how important it is to have someone to assist you through that experience.” Moss is also involved in three to four different equity and diversity groups, including the Springfield Public School’s (SPS) Equity and Diversity Advisory Council, which was established to address inequities in the SPS school district when it comes to the hiring, attendance, and performance of minority individuals. The Council developed several objectives for the school board that were ultimately adopted. What is it that drives Moss to spend the extra time volunteering? Diversity, he said, is a passion of his. “As a young black male from a rural area

of the country, I believe it is very important to be involved. Unlike bigger cities, rural black America is suffering and lacking reputable role models. Growing up, I did not know any African Americans that served in professional positions. African Americans were never viewed to serve in a role with leadership capacity besides the black church.” Whether in the office or out promoting the rightness and benefits of diversity, Moss is the same authentic guy – sharp and detail-oriented, but quick to establish rapport and put others at ease. When he makes friends, he keeps them. He and his best friend, Ivan Nugent (Riley Class, 2009), roomed together in law school, served in each other’s weddings, live and practice in Missouri and stay in frequent touch. When asked how Ivan would view him, Moss said, “If he was to describe me, he would call me a fun-loving guy that just loves to smile and laugh and has never met a stranger.”

KYLE STROBRIDGE, CURTIS CLASS, 2019 AND MEGAN HUNTER, WOODBURY CLASS, 2018 BY SHARON MATCHETTE

Strobridge and Hunter It’s a good thing that Kyle Strobridge and Megan Hunter take good notes. Just a year into their law practice — Strobridge & Hunter, Attorneys at Law, in Stanton, Michigan — the two are finding that the anecdotal material generated in the pursuit of justice are providing them with stories that could make a good book someday.

It doesn’t help, Hunter points out, that the handling of “standard” court rules can vary from judge to judge. New attorneys – just like law students – have to learn the preferences of those in charge. In a very short space of time, an unsuspecting Strobridge was upbraided in open court by a judge who accused the young attorney of committing malpractice. Later, in a private chat with Strobridge, the judge admitted he overreacted. In another case, Strobridge was surprised to see the plaintiff in a deposition just flip off another attorney in the middle of the proceedings. Strobridge’s law partner Hunter hasn’t seen that kind of activity yet, but the practice is young. Now that they’ve caught their breath, Strobridge, Hunter, and the loyal office dog, Stella, are settling into the law office space they just leased in June. Stella gets paid in treats, but Strobridge and Hunter are finding a way to bring in actual pay with a savvy mix of court-appointed cases, word of mouth, and a steadfast avoidance of debt.

steady stream of referrals, and they are just a half mile from the county courthouse. Opening a law firm is a group effort. Strobridge’s girlfriend, Chelsea Carbajal, pitches in with some secretarial work when she’s not at her teaching job. Hunter’s boyfriend, Ryan Greenway, also gets pulled into service, laying the floor for the new office, among other assistance. Starting one’s own law firm also comes with a learning curve, so Strobridge and Hunter tell others not to be intimidated that they don’t know everything. “You will feel lost and clueless at times,” Strobridge warned. One of the factors in success is turning book learning into practical, working expertise.

“Knowing the court rules and procedure rules from law school, and using them are two different things,” Strobridge said. He The two took the conservative added that everything from path toward starting a law filing proofs of service correctly, practice, opening the firm in to figuring out filing deadlines August 2019 with no overhead by and proper formatting of court working out of their homes and documents, comes as a surprise meeting clients in neutral spaces. to many new attorneys, but must As the practice grew, so did their quickly become second nature as need for a more settled workspace they navigate the daily press of and they opened their practice in business at the courthouse. June 2020 in Stanton, Michigan. It’s an ideal space. They share a building with an unrelated parttime attorney who gives them a Atlanta, Georgia

law students – have to learn the preferences of those in charge. “Knowing the rules is great,” Strobridge said, “but observing them in action is more important.” He recommends that law schools look into a class or seminar where students watch real court life in action on a regular basis. So, although law school can be challenging, real life out in the legal trenches can be just as tricky to comprehend sometimes. But fear not, Strobridge continued, there is help at hand.

“Our advice to people opening their own firm: Seek mentor attorneys. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek help if you need it. We have not encountered one attorney that was not willing to answer questions or offer help.” KYLE STROBRIDGE They also had some insight for those wishing to avoid getting into debt.

“If you plan on opening up shop without taking out any loans, be prepared to spend a lot of time doing ‘busy work.’ You are going to spend extra hours every week doing stuff you probably rather would not (i.e. billing, It doesn’t help, Hunter points out, appearances, drafting templates, that the handling of “standard” etc.). However, I feel that it court rules can vary from judge to is easier knowing that all the judge. New attorneys – just like (continued)

MEGAN HUNTER AND KYLE STROBRIDGE

Megan Hunter

work I’m doing goes directly to benefit my business,” Strobridge explained. Speaking of debt, Strobridge and Hunter caution new attorneys to create clear client-billing practices – and follow them. Strobridge said it’s important to know how and what to bill. “It is hard to gauge your worth when you start,” he said. “You also haven’t been stuck with an unpaid bill yet. Creating fee structures and billing practices is important. Sometimes it’s hard to ask someone in a bad situation for money up front, but after you get stuck with that first unpaid bill, it becomes easier.” “That said,” Strobridge continued, “there’s always a tendency to charge less than you should to try and help people. Honest candid conversation with other local attorneys will help you develop a feel for how and what you should be billing.” The two strongly endorse the practice of utilizing mentors for that and other reasons. Mentors can also serve as a safe place to vent, Strobridge said, when the aggravations of starting

Kyle Strobridge

a practice start to build up. Although most attorneys are very helpful, Strobridge said many new attorneys have experienced disrespect just because their law license number shows they are just starting out. Mentors are a safe sounding board for those concerns.

very passionate about the work,” Hunter said. “I saw a lot of injustices within the system and saw that parents really had a hard time being set up to be successful. I felt I needed to become a lawyer, in order to really make an impact within the system.”

Strobridge and Hunter met when they started at WMU-Cooley at the same time and then had several classes together. They also took and passed the bar exam at the same time and began talking about starting their own firm.

Strobridge’s pre-law school career included 10 years in the Army Reserve as a military police officer. He served time in Italy and received a medical discharge when he was injured in a training exercise as the unit prepared for deployment. After discharge, he worked as a security guard at a federal building in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Hunter’s professional background includes experience in abuse and neglect cases, family law, delinquency, and criminal law. Her career background includes time with Wellspring Lutheran Services and Lutheran Adoption Services. During her undergraduate years, Hunter interned for a year with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). Her years were rewarding, but Hunter felt she could do more. “Through my work in the child welfare field, I found myself

It was a good job, Strobridge recalled, but he knew he had the capacity to serve in a more active way. He signed up for law school and, like Hunter, continued to work full-time while he pursued his law degree. The two bring complementary strengths to the table. Strobridge, with military experience and a criminal justice background is resourceful,

detail- and fact-oriented, and driven. Hunter, personable, and with a career as a social worker in the adoptions field before entering law school is empathetic, passionate, and determined. Now the two have a practice that builds on those strengths. Sometimes they serve as cocounsel on matters that come to the firm. Other times they are each working on their own cases. The firm began its path to success with court-appointed cases. “We initially met with a few judges that Megan was familiar with and asked to be put on their court appointed list,” Strobridge explained. “One judge in particular referred us to the local public defense administrator, who subsequently added us to his court appointed list.” Now that the two have an established office and a presence in both Montcalm and Kent counties, the practice is expanding to take on civil cases and other matters.

KULWANT S. BOORA, MOORE CLASS, 2013 BY SHARON MATCHETTE

Kulwant S. Boora

The most surprising thing to Kulwant (Kal) Boora (Moore Class, 2013) about American jurisprudence and the legal system is that U.S. attorneys are responsible for doing everything. In England where Boora was born, grew up, and first practiced law, responsibilities are divided between barristers and solicitors, each with very distinct roles. Boora and his four siblings grew up in a Sikh Punjabi family in Birmingham, England, the children of parents who emigrated from India. Booraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father was from the State of Punjab in India. Booraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents and grandparents taught him the value of working hard, while his good friend, highly respected British lawyer, Solicitor Mohammed Qasim, tutored and mentored Boora while he was studying and practicing law in his early years in England. Before starting his law studies in England, Boora obtained a position with a firm of solicitors in Birmingham as an office clerk. When he returned to school, he studied law at Sutton Coldfield College in Sutton in conjunction with the Institute of Legal Executives. He completed his Diploma in Law and Higher Diploma in Law, and completed the Law Society of England and Law Common Professional Examinations with Hertfordshire University School of Law. He also completed his BA Honors at Staffordshire University, and a Diploma in Theology with Honors at the University of Wales. After earning his LL.M. at WMU-Cooley, Boora undertook his second LL.M. in Staffordshire University, and now has two Master of Laws degrees. He also undertook study with Oxford University, Department of Continuing Education. (continued)

KULWANT S. BOORA

“Do your best and keep striving. Find what sets you apart. You can do things that open the door for you.” KULWANT S. BOORA

Professional success and numerous academic degrees were in the making when a chance meeting during a visit to the United States changed the trajectory of his life. At an Apostolic Church gathering in Ohio, Boora met his wife. The two instantly connected and married in 2002. The couple settled in Ohio and later in Michigan, when his wife encouraged him to pursue his LL.M. at WMU-Cooley to enhance his legal career in the United States. Boora quickly adapted to the American lawyer’s all-in-one role, and since earning his LL.M. and passing the Michigan bar, he has established a flourishing legal practice in southeast Michigan. He has already been named by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2019 and 2020. The Boora Law Group, PLC, established in 2016, practices both civil and criminal defense. Boora has also been contacted for matters relating to international matters in the United Kingdom whether it is employment, legal, business, or corporations, due to his knowledge of the legal field there. He also works alongside other attorneys who are connected to his firm. Starting out, Boora remembers the scary first days of not 16

having a single client. Then he undertook criminal defense work. Doing that, Boora recalled, “was a fabulous way to get out in the community.” Getting known in the community, particularly the diverse ethnic communities, led Boora to one of his most news-making cases. In this case, Boora was invited to second-chair one of the biggest drug trials in the history of Monroe County, Michigan. With the largest drug seizure on record in the county, the case attracted the attention of both the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. The community connection in this case came about when the defendant, who spoke only Punjabi, contacted Boora directly for help because the attorney was fluent in the language and culture. Another highlight of Boora’s legal career took place in 2018 when he won his first jury trial – on his birthday! Halfway through the trial, Boora made a bold move and asked for a directed verdict. The legal parties met in the judge’s chambers. “I was nervous,” Boora recalled. “I was shaking the whole time.” He hid it well, though. The judge came close to granting the motion, but in the end the case went to the jury – and Boora won. He still

remembers a prosecutor saying to him the next day, “I heard you’re a bit of a trial lawyer!” but Boora does recall that he was up against a particularly good prosecutor. Another professional success occurred when he was serving as a law clerk. In that experience, Boora did the legal research and drafted a motion on a legal issue at the trial court level that was ultimately upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court. Before he could take on such successes, however, Boora had to take the bar exam in the United States. Even though he had his legal credentials from England, and had his LL.M. from WMU-Cooley, it turned out that passing the bar exam wasn’t the hardest part – it was being allowed to take it that proved the most challenging. As Boora learned, having a foreign law degree, and even earning a law degree in the United States, carried no guarantee to sit for the bar. Boora said his LL.M. from WMU-Cooley, a Michigan ABA law school, was certainly a contributing factor in getting that bar exam approval. “I was over the moon when they allowed me to sit for the bar,” said Boora. In experiencing the difficulties involved in transitioning from a member of the British legal profession to life as an American

this book, U.S. Bar Admissions, takes the guess work out of how to expand your legal career into the U.S. marketplace for foreign law students and foreign lawyers, providing excellent coverage and insight of the subject U.S. Bar Admissions.” WMU-Cooley Law Professor Gerald Tschura also wrote a glowing review of the book.

lawyer, Boora ran into enough surprises about the bar exam and other matters that it piqued his interest to take a look at just how the rules varied across the nation. Boora’s initial search led into expanded research. It was like peeling back an onion to discover layer after layer of varying rules and processes. The result was Boora’s recently published book, U.S. Bar

Admissions for Foreign Law Graduates and Foreign Lawyers. Boora’s book paves a path of understanding for anyone trying to navigate bar exam rules. “It’s like, ‘here’s the rules, but here’s what happens,’” Boora explained. One reviewer wrote: “Attorney Boora opens the informational door for international students, lawyers and attorneys and

Ever a scholar, Boora has actually published over 15 books. In illustration of Boora’s diversity of interests, he also has one of his publications housed at Yale University called “Baptism in the Name of Jesus Acts 2:38” which is in contrast to the post-New Testament Trinitarian form in Matthew 28:19. His works are used widely in the worldwide Apostolic Oneness Pentecostal movement. Boora’s advice for law students and new attorneys alike, is “Do your best and keep striving. Find what sets you apart. You can do things that open the door for you.”

He added, “It’s not always about the law. To gain trust is not easy and you need to be willing to learn new information.” Boora always encourages attorneys to get out in the community, to recognize and reach out to multicultural groups in your area. Showing interest and trustworthiness goes a long way toward getting people who need assistance to trust you and reach out to you for help, he noted. Boora maintains strong connections in the Indian and Asian communities, which enables him to reach to a broader clientele. He believes that understanding diverse cultures in this day and age will pay dividends to any law firm and practice. He said he is honored to be an AmericanBritish Indian and he lives with his family in Michigan.

Boora’s book helps foreign law graduates and lawyers navigate bar exam rules across the nation.

ALUMNI NEWS SCHOOL

WMU-Cooley Alumni News Alumni Networking Events 2020 Distinguished Student Awards The WMU-Cooley Alumni Association awarded Distinguished Student Awards to four graduating seniors in the Strong Class during Trinity Term 2020. The awards were given at the honors convocation events held virtually for each campus.

WMU-Cooley alumni networking events were held virtually this year and hosted by local alumni. They were joined by President and Dean James McGrath and Senior VP and Associate Dean Paul Zelenski, as well as other faculty and staff members from the law school. Graduates from all over the country were able to connect to the events from the comfort of their homes or offices.

Events held during the summer of 2020 included Tampa, Florida, hosted by Elizabeth (Hughes Class, 2016) and Brian (Taft Class, 2016) Devolder; Michigan, hosted by Karen Poole (Witherell Class, 1990), Alumni Association President; Atlanta, Georgia, hosted by Kenneth Kaplan (Potter Class, 1980); and West Coast, hosted by Phoenix hosts Matt Fendon (Adams Class, 2008) and Jeremy Goodman (Fitzgerald Class, 2006). Events continued into the fall, including Chicago, Illinois, hosted by Jamie Leavitt Vamvakas (Johnson Class, 2002) and John Nocita (Turner Class, 1991); and East Coast, hosted by Philadelphia host Patrick Griffin (Riley Class, 2009). A class reunion for the Potter, Bushnell and North classes, 1980, was held virtually on Sept. 16. Class members walked down memory lane sharing experiences and stories about how they were able to become successful lawyers because of their WMU-Cooley Law School education. The event was hosted by Kenneth Kaplan (Potter Class, 1980). More alumni networking events and class reunions are being planned for 2021. Stay tuned to https://cooley.edu/alumni/events for details. If you are interested in hosting an event from your location, please contact Helen Haessly, Acting Director of Alumni Relations at alumni@cooley.edu.

69% BENCHMARK

The winners were Colleen Kolis (Auburn ALUMNI MAGAZINE Hills campus), Katrina Hofstetter (Lansing campus), Dalton Dennis (Tampa Bay campus), and Kyle DeCloux (Grand Rapids campus). During Michaelmas Term 2020, three Distinguished Student Awards were given for the Hunt Class, 2021.The recipients were George Rhoden, Brittany Armstrong, and Sarah Naccache, all students at the Tampa Bay campus. Distinguished Student Awards are given for academic achievement, professionalism, extracurricular activities and community service.

ALUMNI NEWS

2021 Alumni Association President Elected Clinical Law, serving as treasurer of the Student Federal Bar Association, and participating in WMU-Cooley’s Access to Justice Clinic, where she successfully represented a client in expunging a prior criminal conviction. In recognition of her service to the school, Kirstyn received the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association’s Distinguished Student Award in 2016.

The WMU-Cooley Alumni Association is an active organization that is working to make the law school experience more rewarding for our students. The association meets annually in November, and this year, Kirstyn Wildey (Hughes Class, 2016), of Cleveland, Ohio, became the Incoming President of the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association for 2021. When Kirstyn joined the National Alumni Board in 2017, she was excited to learn that she could participate so actively in the association without needing to live close to one of WMUCooley’s campuses. Meetings are conducted virtually or by telephone, and some committee work is done by email. Anyone can participate from anywhere in the world! Kirstyn attended evening and weekends at the Grand Rapids campus, balancing her law school studies with her fulltime career in commercial banking. While at WMU-Cooley, she sought out opportunities to get involved on campus, including serving as associate editor and campus coordinator for the WMU-Cooley Journal of Practical and

Kirstyn now works as an attorney with the law firm of McDonald Hopkins LLC, focusing her practice on commercial real estate and tax credit finance. She said she is grateful for the lifelong friendships she made with fellow students, professors, and staff during her time as a student. She also said she believes it is important to stay actively connected with WMU-Cooley to benefit from the shared knowledge of fellow graduates and to serve as a mentor for current and prospective students. Participating in the alumni association after graduation not only supports the students and the school, it gives you the opportunity to expand your professional and social connections with other graduates. The organization recently reviewed and updated its bylaws to better reflect the activities and dimensions of the current group. The updates are now approved, and we encourage you to join in all the activities! Committees that serve the organization include Regional Ambassadors (hosts for our regional events), Membership and Outreach, Major Events (including the annual Annual U.S. Supreme Court Bar Admission Ceremony), Law School Support, and Scholarships and Awards.

and the Distinguished Alumni Service Award are two programs the association provides to students and alumni each year. A new student service that is directly supported by the alumni association is the mentoring site called “The Network.” Students are able to view alumni profiles and connect with potential mentors based on their specific interests. Episodic mentoring is done on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The alumni association also supports scholarships through their participation each year in the WMU-Cooley Golf Classic. Association members participate as golfers or as volunteers at the event. The updates made by the association’s leaders this year were supported by its National Alumni Board. The board is an advisory group that meets with the executive committee four times per year. The meetings are typically an hour long, and are attended by senior leaders of the school who brainstorm with the association members in order to bring more benefits to the students, school and alumni. This is reflected in the purpose of the organization as noted in the bylaws. To become a National Alumni Board member, submit your name and contact information to the alumni office. You must be a current member of the association to qualify as a board member. The nominations committee recommends a slate of new board members each year prior to the annual meeting. Board members serve a threeyear term. For any questions you have, please contact the Alumni Office at alumni@cooley.edu or call 800-243-ALUM.

The Distinguished Student Award

ALUMNI NEWS

The Power of Giving The alumni are a very important network to WMU-Cooley Law School. Our accomplishments reflect through you, and we share in your stories and memories from your law school experiences. Together we forge a family with a common shared experience of scholarship and place. Supporting WMU-Cooley Law School demonstrates to our students that you believe and encourage their dreams of becoming lawyers. Dreams that were once your dreams! Maybe your experience at WMU-Cooley was one of struggle, self-discovery, newfound confidence or following in someone else’s footsteps. Maybe WMUCooley afforded you a chance and opened the door to the possibilities of a legal career. No matter your experience, today’s students can benefit from knowing your story. Was there a favorite professor or mentor who stands out in your memory as that special person who helped you achieve your dreams? Now is your chance to pay that experience forward and be that person for someone else. You can help students navigate the same challenges that you faced in

law school. You can advise them on channeling their diverse passions into their education and future career in law. You can set an example of a path to follow. This is what it means to give. “Give” is one little word that can make you feel you have made a difference in the world. You can “give” through mentorships, Alumni Association volunteerism, expertise, providing externship placements, and connecting with students. You can also “give” through financial gifts. Small and constant contributions create collective power.

It takes a variety of resources for WMU-Cooley to remain strong while providing excellent scholarship opportunities for our students. If all 21,000 WMU-Cooley graduates donated just $50 a year and commit to do so for 5 years, that equates to over $5,000,000. Our graduates have the potential to make a huge impact on the lives of our students, while having a minimal impact on your personal finances. That is the power of giving.

Together, we can ALL RISE in support of our students achieving their goals of becoming lawyers.

ALUMNI NEWS

Leave a Lasting Legacy JOIN THE WMU-COOLEY LAW SCHOOL CARPE DIEM SOCIETY

You and many of your classmates generously support WMU-Cooley Law School throughout your lifetime by planting seeds that allow our students to bloom into successful lawyers. And for that, we thank you. We often hear that WMU-Cooley and its professors provided a strong legal education with care, mentorship and personal approach. That meticulous attention and striving for excellence is reflected in our alumni. Many alumni ask “what can I do for WMU-Cooley to pay it back?” The answer is simple: Pay it forward. Leave a lasting legacy and impression on a place that did the same for you.

Legacy gifts are a great way to support WMU-Cooley. These generous gifts made through your will or trust genuinely make a difference and ensure our ability to fulfill our mission of educating law students for years to come. You can make a legacy gift by naming WMU-Cooley Law School as a beneficiary of your will, living trust, life insurance or retirement plan.

Interested in Learning More? To help guide you in supporting causes that are important in your life like WMU-Cooley, we can assist you in planned giving and the many options available. When you include WMU-Cooley in your will, your generosity provides educational opportunities to future students that will enrich their lives and allow them to achieve their goal of becoming lawyers. You can make a lasting difference and legacy by joining

the Carpe Diem Society today. Seize the moment and help pave the way to the future.

Want to Chat? There are many options to guide you in planning your legacy and we are here to help you. We’d love the opportunity to discuss your giving goals to generously support our students and the mission of the law school. We would be honored to partner with you. Contact Pamela Heos, Director of Donor Relations at heosp@cooley.edu or call (517) 371-5140 x 2014.

SCHOOL NEWS

WMU-Cooley School News WMU-Cooley Innocence Project Helps Earn Release of Lacino Hamilton After 26 Years In Prison DNA testing facilitated by the WMU-Cooley Law School Innocence Project was used to help win the release of Lacino Hamilton in Wayne County, Michigan, after 26 years in prison. Wayne County Judge Tracy Green set aside the conviction of Hamilton, who was wrongfully convicted of second degree murder and felony firearms in 1994. Assistant Prosecutor Valerie Newman, director of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Conviction Integrity Unit, moved to have Hamilton’s conviction vacated and requested dismissal of all charges. The motion was joined by Hamilton’s legal counsel, Mary Chartier (Johnson Class, 2002) and Takura Nyamfukudza (Moore Class, 2013) of CN Defenders. Both are WMUCooley Law School graduates. Hamilton was convicted of the murder of a Detroit woman when he was 21 years old. He served 26 years in prison. There were no eyewitnesses in the case and Hamilton’s conviction was based, in large part, on the testimony of a jailhouse

Lacino Hamilton hugs Marla Mitchell-Cichon following his release.

informant, who later proved to be unreliable. During the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Conviction Integrity Unit investigation, biological evidence was discovered that was material to the identity of the perpetrator. The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project facilitated

the DNA testing. DNA found under the victim’s fingernails excluded Hamilton, while an unknown male contributor’s DNA was found. The DNA testing results, along with other new evidence in the case, established that Hamilton did not commit the crime.

“I’m a little overwhelmed right now,” said Hamilton, during the virtual court hearing. “I am extremely grateful and look forward to being a productive citizen in our community.” LACINO HAMILTON

SCHOOL NEWS

WMU-Cooley Innocence Project team celebrates the release of Lacino Hamilton.

In 2018, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and the WMUCooley Innocence Project received a $451,238 Bloodsworth grant from the Department of Justice. The purpose of the grant is to screen claims of innocence and conduct DNA testing of material evidence in appropriate cases. “WMU-Cooley’s Innocence Project has almost 20 years-experience in post-conviction DNA testing,” stated Project Director Marla Mitchell-Cichon. “The grant funding, which covers the cost of testing, allows us to be a resource to innocent prisoners and their lawyers. We are honored to assist in freeing Mr. Hamilton.” The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project has a similar grant partnership with the Michigan Attorney General Office, Conviction Integrity Unit, assisting its office with the evaluation of innocence claims.

The media interviews Lacino Hamilton.

Established in 2001, the WMUCooley Innocence Project focuses on obtaining post-conviction DNA testing of material evidence, and provides legal assistance to persons who are imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project is the only post-conviction DNA innocence organization in the state. Since its inception, the office has screened over 5,800 cases and is responsible for the exoneration of four men: Kenneth Wyniemko (2003), Nathaniel Hatchett (2008), and Wayne County residents Donya Davis (2014) and LeDura Watkins (2017).

Marla Mitchell-Chichon talks with a reporter.

WMU-Cooley graduates Mary Chartier and Tkura Nyamfukudza celebrate their achievement in the successful release of Lacino Hamilton with the CN Defenders team.

WMU-Cooley Innocence Project student shows support.

SCHOOL NEWS

WMU-Cooley Hosts Virtual Event Series Since May 2020, WMU-Cooley has been proud to host the WMU-Cooley Community Conversations special virtual event series featuring many top professors and legal experts who speak on important topics today and in the future. Thank you to the following keynote speakers, as well as to all those who have been part of the discussions and solutions we face today. If you missed any of the conversations, you can catch up by watching each conversation on the law schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official YouTube page.

SCHOOL NEWS

Marla Mitchell-Cichon

With WMU-Cooley Innocence Project Director Marla Mitchell-Cichon and first exoneree Kenneth Wyniemko on May 28, 2020

David Singleton

James McGrath

Henry Floyd

Constitution Day event on Inequality in Sentencing and Issues Facing Criminal Justice with distinguished speakers David Singleton and graduate Henry Floyd on Sept. 17, 2020

With Healthcare and LGBTQ Rights Advocate James McGrath on June 25, 2020

Mable Martin-Scott Joseph Kimble Brendan Beery

With Constitutional Law Expert Brendan Beery on June 4, 2020

Tracey Brame

With Civil Rights Expert Tracey Brame on June 11, 2020

With Plain Language experts Joseph Kimble and Mark Cooney on Oct. 22, 2020 Kimberly Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary

With Assistant Dean Mable MartinScott and Professor Kimberly Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary on Lawyering in a Multicultural Society on July 23, 2020

Tonya Krause-Phelan Michael C.H. McDaniel

With Homeland Security Expert Michael C.H. McDaniel on June 18, 2020

Mark Cooney

Veterans Day event with Director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and graduate Zaneta Adams on Nov. 11, 2020

Lewis Langham

With Criminal Justice System Experts Tonya Krause-Phelan and Lewis Langham on Aug. 20, 2020

Devin Schlindler

With Constitution and Election Expert Devin Schindler on Dec. 10, 2020

SCHOOL NEWS

Ray Petty: My Duty is to Bring Justice to Areas of Injustice

2020 has been an unforgettable year so far; but a year that has placed a necessary spotlight on many areas of injustice that one graduating law student, Ray Petty, is ready to address head on. Graduating law students at WMU-Cooley Law School are now having to celebrate virtually, but that does not diminish their outstanding accomplishment. For Petty, graduation photos were a must, as was his own mission statement. “I recently took my graduation photos,” shared Petty, “and I was inspired by the school’s stance against racism and discrimination in our society. I wanted to share one of my social justice photos with the school. The picture speaks for itself. You

cannot fix a broken society with a broken system. “I am at the court house in Albany, Georgia. This is the place where violators of the law should be prosecuted. What you see are 17 notable names surrounding me. These individuals were slain at the hands of injustice. What you don’t see are all the names that did not make headline news. “The number is far greater than the 17 names depicted. The issue is deeply rooted and dates back to the start of American history. The shackles around my neck represent the broken systems in America. As I sit on the court house steps on Aug. 1, 2020, my mind ponders on how we can step into a new day. We

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have made advances, but there is still much work to be done.

Thomas E. Brennan displayed throughout his career.

“As a black male attorney, my duty is to bring justice to the areas of injustice. Me graduating and getting into the legal field is a protest. We have seen people protest with their feet and their mouths, but what you see is me protesting with my career. I devote my life to a cause. My career is this photo, and is a protest.

WINDOW OF THE SOUL

“My hope is that their stories don’t become our stories.” #JusticeMatters Ray Petty not only was selected valedictory speaker for his graduating class, he also was a recipient of the coveted Thomas E. Brennan Scholarship, an award given to those who have demonstrated strong leadership skills; the same skills that Michigan Supreme Court Justice and law school founder

Below is a small snippet of Ray Petty’s story. It is a peek into the window of the soul of a man on a mission to bring justice to areas of injustice.

MY STORY: • Was told by teachers that I should be in special education classes • Was told by coaches that I was not smart enough to remember a playbook. • Was denied by every law school that I applied to but one. • Once accepted, lost my sister during final exams going into my last semester. • Chosen by my classmates as the valedictory speaker for the Strong Class.

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Nina Yakubov: To Teach a Child to Achieve, You Must Show Achievement

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BY TERRY CARELLA

Nina Yakubov is one of those people who always had a good idea what she wanted to do, even at an early age. Growing up in Russia, being around very educated people, Yakubov was especially amazed by how lawyers could think in a way nobody else could. She thought of attorneys as “Super Heroes.”

Yet, when it came time for her to go to college, she didn’t feel that law was a path she could take so she enrolled instead at Pyatigorsk State Linguistic University to pursue a degree in international public relations. But she figured out fairly quickly that this wasn’t the route for her. “It was very far away from politics and law, and my areas of interest,” she recalled.

LEARNING AMERICAN LIFE It was in her second year, when the opportunity arose for her to study in the United States, that she thought about a career in law again. At that point she thought of her options as wide open – she could pretty much study wherever she wanted. “Because I really liked

everything related to law, I found the best criminal justice university in New York City – John Jay College of Criminal Justice.” Pushing forward though, Yakubov encountered a bump in the road when it turned out her command of English was hindering her ability to get into John Jay. Undaunted, she embarked on a committed journey of English language classes and, after a year, passed all the admissions tests to get into the college. While at John Jay, Yakubov met her husband, Valeriy, who was also of Russian descent and of Jewish culture. The United States was fast becoming home for her, then life happened for

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the couple after discovering that they were going to have a child. Once their son was born, Yakubov was up against some other hurdles. At the time, those logistical issues required Yakubov to take two semesters off from college to care for Samuel. Busy with her new family and living in a new place, Yakubov, found herself on occasion making excuses for not returning to school. Fortunately, that mindset didn’t last long. “I started thinking, how can I teach my child to achieve something if I haven’t achieved anything myself? Children learn by what their parents do, not by what their parents say. By my own example, I wanted to show him that, despite all the obstacles and difficulties in life, you need to achieve something,” she said.

IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION Being a lifelong learner and becoming educated are the keys to achievement according to Yakubov. Nina Yakubov soon after returned to John Jay and put her thirst for knowledge to work. She not only graduated with a 4.0 GPA, she managed to find employment at an immigration law firm within a week after graduation. Working in that law firm, helping immigrants, she honed in on exactly what she should do with her legal knowledge. She was meant to pursue a career as an immigration lawyer.

“You need to get your education because education is the most important thing in every person’s life. You know everything can be taken away from you – your housing, your car, all your property – but no one can ever take away your education; it’s what’s inside you.” NINA YAKUBOV

Living in New York, Yakubov first started looking into law schools there. But she knew that the daily commute from Brooklyn to New York City, and back again (a three hour journey on a good day) was not going to be feasible. Between work, daycare, commuting, and homework, she knew her family would rarely find any time to even venture from their apartment. Yakubov then started looking into other locations; somewhere that offered a better quality of life. She discovered the perfect location for her family to live and for her to learn the law –

WMU-Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus. Not only was the weather ideal, the easy commute to classes and the very family-friendly community was something she and her family have loved about living in the location.

LEARNING IN TAMPA BAY One of the most important things she’s learned so far in law school is that you need to keep up on a daily basis – never fall behind. She also says new students should ask for help early and often. She praised the Academic Resource Center

(ARC) and said that none of her friends in other law schools seem to have that benefit. “Law school is very hard, and to have somebody (in ARC) by your side to always help you is just priceless.” As Yakubov continues her studies, she contemplates all the things she can do with her degree. She knows she still wants to follow her passion into immigration law, either with a firm or as a solo practitioner, but she also wants to do more. The clients, she said, often “need more than legal advice. They need social adaptation; they ask questions which are not related to immigration,” she explained. “They ask how to get medical insurance, how to place their kids into school, where to get a car – you know, little steps. They have nobody to help them with the little steps, the little issues that can seem very funny to American citizens, but to them it’s a very big deal. “I want to tie it together for not only legal advice for them, but some kind of social adaptation so the people will be more comfortable here and more self-confident.”

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Associate Dean Tracey Brame Selected as Lawyer of the Year “I am so humbled and so overwhelmed to be considered among Michigan’s Leaders in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly,” Brame said during her acceptance remarks. Sharing how she became inspired to work in the area of social advocacy, Brame spoke about listening to a presentation by attorney and social justice activist Bryan Stevenson. “When he finished speaking, I was determined that wherever he was, that’s where I wanted to go,” Brame said. “And I was fortunate enough to go to Alabama for a semester and get experience in death penalty work alongside Bryan.”

Michigan Lawyers Weekly named WMU-Cooley Law School Associate Dean Tracey Brame as Lawyer of the Year. In February, Brame was one of 30 lawyers named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Leaders in the Law” Class of 2020. Because of COVID-19, the annual presentation was moved from April and held virtually on Aug. 3.

Brame, who is passionate about criminal law and defense cases, has a strong disposition for advocacy work and feels there are far too many African Americans in prison who did not receive the appropriate legal representation. This belief has led her to become heavily involved in the Grand Rapids community, providing pro bono work that focuses on enriching the lives of the community’s youth.

Brame was selected as Lawyer of the Year by members of the Leaders in the Law Class of 2020. The selected honorees for the Leaders in the Law Class were chosen for their outstanding contributions to the practice of law in Michigan, continually setting an example for other lawyers, demonstrating tremendous leadership, and offering a wealth of expertise in many areas of the law.

Within her first year at WMU-Cooley (2006), Brame, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Bar Association, opened the Access to Justice Clinic at the law school’s Grand Rapids campus, where she currently serves as director. Staffed by students under faculty supervision, the Access to Justice Clinic offers free legal services to low-income and underrepresented residents of Kent County who face barriers due to their criminal

Tracey Brame

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history and seek expungement of their convictions. To date, under Brame’s leadership, the Access to Justice Clinic has helped 100 individuals get their criminal records expunged. In collaboration with the Kent County Probation Department, Brame also helped establish a Teen Court, offering an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system for first-time, nonviolent juvenile offenders. In addition, by volunteering with the 3R’s Program, a partnership between the Grand Rapids Bar Association and Grand Rapids Public Schools, Brame has helped promote respect and understanding of the rule of law and the Constitution, as well as provide mentorship and career direction for students.

WMU-Cooley Associate Dean Michael C.H. McDaniel, who nominated Brame to be considered as a member for the Leaders in the Law Class of 2020, said Brame’s selection as Lawyer of the Year is deserving because of her leadership by example. “There was a full slate of 30 attorneys who were recognized … as Leaders in the Law,” said McDaniel. “Half are partners at the most prestigious firms in Michigan; five of them are the managing partners of those respected firms. Our own Grand Rapids Associate Dean Tracey Brame was selected as Lawyer of the Year, by this group. The reasons are simple: her bright, shining social conscience is a beacon for all to follow and her life of service is an example for every lawyer.”

“I

have been fortunate enough to have this wonderful career where I happen to be doing work that I absolutely love, but also has been impactful on the community.” TRACEY BRAME

Tracey Brame

Access to Justice Clinic

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General Michael C.H. McDaniel Inducted into Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame

During a virtual ceremony on Sept. 3, Ret. Brigadier General Michael C.H. McDaniel, associate dean and professor at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, joined 18 Michigan attorneys as they were inducted into the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

McDaniel. “I have been blessed to be able to serve our nation, the state of Michigan, and my local community. It is important for us as attorneys to place societal needs at the forefront of our careers and to make a difference, not only for our clients, but for the communities we serve.”

The award recognizes Michigan legal leaders over the age of 60, or who have practiced for 30 years or more, for their successful careers and valuable contributions to the community.

McDaniel, who teaches Constitutional Law and developed WMU-Cooley’s Homeland and National Security Law LL.M. program, joined the law school’s faculty in 2010.

“It’s not only an honor to be recognized and inducted into the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, it is also a highlight of my legal career,” said

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“I have been blessed to be able to serve our nation, the state of Michigan, and my local community. It is important for us as attorneys to place societal needs at the forefront of our careers and to make a difference, not only for our clients, but for the communities we serve.” MICHAEL C.H. M DANIEL c

“General, Dean, and Professor McDaniel excels at all of his titles. As a former enlisted man myself, I knew that not many people can achieve the rank of General,” said WMU-Cooley President and Dean James McGrath. “Mike McDaniel is truly an exceptional leader, professor, and a great colleague. I was so happy to hear that he received this great honor.” McDaniel served at the Pentagon as deputy assistant secretary for Homeland Defense Strategy, Prevention and Mission Assurance, where he supervised the Department of Defense Critical Infrastructure Protection Program and Global Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Policy. He also served six years as homeland security adviser for former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and served as assistant adjutant general for Homeland Security with the Michigan National Guard. McDaniel served as an assistant attorney general for almost 20 years, including as the assistant attorney general for litigation in the executive division of the Michigan Department of Attorney General for Attorneys General Frank J. Kelley and Jennifer Granholm.

“Some great person (Winston Churchill) once stated, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life, by what we give.’ Michael McDaniel’s leadership of giving inspires and motivates WMUCooley’s staff and students,” said Professor Mable Martin-Scott, who nominated McDaniel to be considered as a member of the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame Class of 2020. “His life’s work is a glowing example of the good we can do when we give back.”

Faculty Briefs Paul Carrier, Professor Writing, and self-publishing a Florida-lawbased Contract Law book and a host of supplemental materials available at www.mylegs.org. Wrote, a series of over 50 short articles aimed at preparing bar exam takers for the Summer 2020 bar exams in areas of contract law, negotiable instruments, and secured transactions. These are available on social media Facebook Florida Contract Law, and Prof. Carrier’s LinkedIn page.

Christine Church, Professor Accepted, for publication, a chapter in the upcoming book, Law Teaching Strategies for a New Era: Beyond the Physical Classroom. The book will be published in 2021 by Carolina Academic Press. Her chapter focuses on teaching skills classes such as Trial Skills. Church’s chapter is Backward Design: Course Design for Online Simulation Classes. Presented, to the State Bar of Michigan’s ADR section on Oct. 16, 2020, about Family Law Online Mediation as part of their annual meeting. Presenting, in December 2020 at AccessLex’s national conference tentatively entitled “7 Tips for Facilitating Academic Success” with the University of Michigan Law School’s Associate Dean of Students, the Director of Student Affairs at Ohio State University Dental School, and the Associate Dean of Medical Education at Boston University Medical School.

Mark Cooney, Professor Published, “What Judges Cite: A Study of Three Appellate Courts,” in the Stetson Law Review. The article reports Cooney’s findings from a two-year empirical study on appellate courts’ use of legal authority, for which he was awarded a Legal-Writing Scholarship Grant by the Legal Writing Institute, the Association of Legal Writing Directors, and LexisNexis. Published, “Taming the Jabberwock: A Plain Redraft of Lewis Carroll’s 1883 Publishing Contract,” in The Scribes Journal of Legal Writing. Published, “Larry Potter and the Deathly Canon,” in the Michigan Bar Journal’s Plain Language column. Published, “The Power of Words,” in the newsletter for the AALS Section on Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research. Served, as editor in chief, volume 19 of The Scribes Journal of Legal Writing, including authoring the “From the Editor” foreword. This is the fifth volume for which he has served as editor in chief. Served, as judge, Center for Plain Language’s ClearMark Awards.

Mark Dotson, Professor Submitted, the fall case supplement for West Publications: “Stein on Personal Injury Damages.”

Renalia DuBose, Associate Professor Accepted, for publication, “Voter Suppression - A Recent Phenomenon or an American Legacy?” The article will be published by the University of Baltimore Law School Law Review in its Spring 2021 edition. Participated, in the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Expungement Clinic. Presented, training entitled “Title IX Training – Microaggressions” to Hillsborough Community College faculty and staff for The Office of Equity & Diversity/Title IX. Participated, as the “Alternative Careers Presenter” at the Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University College of Law Second Annual Careers in the Law Event on Feb. 6, 2020. Participated, in a panel discussion at Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University College of Law Internship Seminar on March 5, 2020.

Amanda Fisher, Visiting Professor Invited, to present at the Association of Academic Support Educators National Conference. “Academic Support...$100; Bar Preparation...$500; Wellness... Priceless; Modeling Wellness for Personal & Student Success.” Published, “Progress in the Time of COVID-19: Reconsidering Gender Equity in the Legal Profession,” on Oct. 1, 2020. Available at https:// abovethelaw.com/2020/10/ progress-in-the-time-of-covid-19reconsidering-gender-equity-in-thelegal-profession/

Gerald Fisher, Distinguished Professor Emeritus Authored, an article, “Michigan Has a Deep-Rooted Public Policy of Strong Local Control… If We Can Keep It,” published in the July 2020 Michigan Bar Journal. The article points out that the public policy in Michigan for more than 100 years has held to the principle that local governments – those closest to the people – should have broad authority to shape matters of local concern, a policy which has inspired many Michigan municipalities to creatively define their local character. The article argues that there appears to be a trend for the legislature to arrogate to state control important matters of local concern, which raises the question whether we will be able to maintain the benefits of local control.

Christopher G. Hastings, Professor Accepted, into the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. The Fellows is a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession and to the welfare of their communities. Membership is limited to 1 percent of licensed bar members in any jurisdiction. The organization is committed to advancing legal research into important areas of social justice.

Richard Henke, Professor Serving, on the Consultative Group for the American Law Institute (ALI) for the drafting of the Restatement of the Law Third, Torts: Intentional Torts to Persons. Attended, on Sept. 10, a virtual draft conference. The final draft of the Restatement will be presented to the full Institute in 2021

Joseph Kimble, Distinguished Professor Emeritus Published, in the latest Scribes Journal of Legal Writing an article called “Flimsy Claims for Legalese and False Criticisms of Plain Language: A 30Year Collection.” Published, in the Michigan Bar Journal’s Plain Language column an article called “Getting One-Upped: A Plain-Language Redraft Made Plainer.” Published, (with Jonathan Brignall) another article in the Plain Language column, this one called “A Medical Power of Attorney.” Published, in Attorney at Law magazine an op-ed called “The Truth About Textualist Judging.” Published, his latest Redlines column in Judicature, a scholarly journal for judges. The column was called “Headings, Please. The More, the Better.” Learned, that the medical power of attorney prepared by the Kimble Center for Legal Drafting has earned a WriteMark Plus from Write Limited, a New Zealand consulting organization. This mark is given to documents that are tested with actual users and that achieve a high standard of plain language. The Center’s power of attorney is the first document in the U.S. to receive the WriteMark Plus. It is available for free download at https://www.cooley.edu/node/695

Continued, work on a complete “restyling” (redrafting) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy. Attended, the virtual summer meeting of the Standing Committee on Federal Rules. Professor Kimble has been a drafting consultant on all federal court rules for 20 years.

Don LeDuc, Retired President, Dean Emeritus, and Professor

Posted, on YouTube his September 2018 commencement talk to the Levi Woodbury class. (It took two years to get the licenses to use the Bob Dylan song toward the end.)

Rewriting, his book, Michigan Administrative Law. The book, with a goal of a 2021 completion, will include information on the recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders regarding Covid-19. Thomson Reuters just released the 2020 edition of Michigan Administrative Law. This edition is the 27th version of the text, which first appeared in 1993.

Tonya KrausePhelan, Professor

Matthew Marin, Visiting Professor

Agreed, to continue serving on the State Bar’s Publications Committee, which he had done for more than 30 years.

Authored, a chapter, titled “Criminal Law and Procedure” that has been accepted for the book Law Teaching Strategies for a New Era: Beyond the Physical Classroom. The book is being edited by Professor Dysart at the University of Arizona College of Law. Named, as a member of the Community Police Advisory Council, for the Grand Rapids, Michigan Police Department, in July 2020. The council was created by Chief of Police and the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability, to improve community-police relations.

Co-authored, and published Florida Contract Law: Cases, Problems & Materials casebook; see www.mylegs.org. Invited, to present, at the Association of Academic Support Educators National Conference. Academic Support...$100; Bar Preparation...$500; Wellness... Priceless; Modeling Wellness for Personal & Student Success Invited, to present, at the Institute for Law Teaching and Learning Summer Conference, “Creating and Administering an Asynchronous Bar Exam Skills Course: Pitfalls, Successes, and What You Can Do Next.”

Spoke, at the virtual annual meeting of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters. He spoke about the theory of judicial interpretation known as textualism.

(continued)

Faculty Briefs Michael C.H. McDaniel, Associate Dean and Professor Named, to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Second Hall of Fame Class. Publishing, In the new text for Homeland Security graduate programs, “Theoretical Foundations of Homeland Security: Strategies, Operations, and Structures,” Dec. 21, 2020. McDaniel contributed a chapter entitled “Homeland Security Law, Policy, and Theory, A Constitutional Basis,” Routledge Press. Presented, “A Consideration of Homeland Security and Policy,” at the 13th Annual Homeland Defense & Security Education Summit, Naval Postgraduate School, on Nov. 4, 2020. Interviewed, frequently, by the media on Homeland and National Security issues and Constitutional Law.

Nelson Miller, Associate Dean Emeritus and Professor Published, the book, Michigan Causes of Action Formbook (ICLE 2020), as co-editor and author or co-author of two chapters. Published, the book, The Art and Science of Law Instruction: Daily Messages Journaling a Law Faculty’s Year (Crown Mgt. 2020). Published, the book Church Policies and Procedures Manual (Crown Mgt. 2020), as co-author with Moody Bible Institute Professor Christopher Rappazini.

Marla MitchellCichon, Professor Attended, the Innocence Network Online Conference. Attended, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorney’s (NACD’s) online trainings on Eyewitness Identification and Attacking the Reliability of Confessions. Attended, Ingham County Bar Association’s training, Forensics in Criminal Cases. Attended, the Leadership for a Changing World Online Summit. Attended, a workshop on Writing for Social Change. Interviewed, by the Florida State Bar Association, The Professional: https://www-media. floridabar.org/uploads/2020/07/ Prof-Summer-2020-ADACompliant.pdf. Presented, WMU-Cooley Law School Innocence Project, in the May 28, 2020 edition of WMU-Cooley Community Conversations. Authored, a blog, “What Does Accountability Mean to You?” located at https://info.cooley. edu/blog/call-to-action-whatdoes-accountability-mean-toyou (Wrongful Conviction Day).

Michael Molitor, Professor Co-authored, an article that will be appearing in the fall edition of the Michigan Business Law Journal, titled “Shareholders’ Ability to Contractually Eliminate Oppression - The Uncertain Meaning of the Last Sentence of the Shareholder Oppression Statute.”

Kimberly O’Leary, Professor Accepted, for publication, a chapter in the upcoming book, Law Teaching Strategies for a New Era: Beyond the Physical Classroom. The book will be published in 2021 by Carolina Academic Press. Her chapter focuses on teaching Property. Spoke, along with fellow WMUCooley Professor Mable MartinScott, about Multicultural Lawyering at two WMU-Cooley events, the June 29, 2020 American Constitution Society, at the Tampa campus, and on July 23, 2020, in the online Community Conversation. Published, “Improving Student Learning in the Doctrinal Law School Classroom: Skills & Assessment,” by Kimberly E. O’Leary, Joni Larson, and Jeanette Buttrey (Carolina Academic Press), in August 2020. Facilitated, a Clinical Law Review Writer’s Workshop, Oct. 3, 2020. Served, as a small group facilitator, for an online conference, Interdisciplinary Approaches to Elder Abuse: Unlocking the Potential of Restorative Practice,” for Syracuse University School of Law, Oct. 15-16, 2020.

Devin Schindler, Assistant Dean and Professor Interviewed, on April 16, 2020, on WXMI TV, about the Constitutionality of Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders. Interviewed, on May 22, 2020, by Bridge Magazine, about “For Some Michigan Sheriffs, Governor Whitmer’s Coronavirus orders are optional.” Interviewed, on July 17, 2020, on WOOD Radio, about the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on the Electoral College and Robocalls. Interviewed, on Sept. 18, 2020, on WZZM TV, about reactions to the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Interviewed, on Oct. 7, 2020, on WXMI TV, about the Barry County (Michigan) Sheriff’s Refusal to Enforce Department of Health & Human Services emergency orders. Interviewed, on Oct. 7, 2020, on WZZM TV, about “Weighing in on the Vice-Presidential Debate.”

Yolanda Sewell, Visiting Professor Elected, Vice President of Diversity for the Association of Academic Support Educators. Published, “The Revolving Door” in The Learning Curve, a publication of the American Association of Law Schools Section on Academic Support. Presented, “Difficult Conversations on Racial Equity when Educating Law Students” for the American Association of Law Schools Section on Academic Support on July 24, 2020. Co-Presented, “Where Do We Go From Here: ASP & Bar Preparation in the Digital Age,” for the Academic Support Black Women’s Collective on Oct. 23, 2020.

Otto Stockmeyer, Distinguished Professor Emeritus Blogged, “Bar Exam Subjects: How many is too many to test?” ABA’s Before the Bar (May 9, 2020). Available at https://abaforlawstudents. com/2020/06/11/bar-examsubjects-how-many-is-too-manyto-test/ Blogged, “Caught up in the COVID chaos, this state remodeled the bar exam,” ABA’s Before the Bar (Sept. 15, 2020). Available at https://abaforlawstudents. com/2020/09/15/caught-up-in-thecovid-chaos-this-state-remodeledthe-bar-exam/

Victoria Vuletich, Assistant Dean and Professor Appointed, to the State Bar of Michigan Standing Committee on Professional Ethics, by State Bar President Rob Buchanan. Held, a workshop on ethics issues in criminal practice, for the Grand Rapids Bar Association Indigent Defense Counsel Section on Oct. 1, 2020.

Presented, “The Leading Lucys of Contract Lore” at the 2020 annual conference of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters. Available on SSRN at https:// ssrn.com/abstract=3633308 and on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ khyLDX9t2hU Published, “Diary of a FreeLunch Monitor” in Briefs (May 2020). Available at https://issuu. com/stockmen/docs/free_lunch. Reprinted in the ABA newsletter Voice of Experience (September, 2020). Available at https://issuu. com/stockmen/docs/freelunch2d Published, Interview with Michigan Lawyers Weekly (May 18, 2020). Available at https://issuu.com/ stockmen/docs/mlwsidebar Published, “Three Faces of Restitution” in Michigan Academician, Vol. XLVII (2019). Available on SSRN at https://ssrn. com/abstract=3340175

Class Notes 1978

1981

1985

Pratt Class

Ransom Class

Kavanagh Class

T. Smith Class

Eisman, Gerald, is retiring. His firm was Gerald B. Eisman, PA in Tampa, Florida. The firm handled criminal and personal injury.

Bowling, Kevin, Ottawa County, Michigan, 20th Circuit Court and Probate Court Administrator, has received the Award of Merit, the highest honor available from the National Association for Court Management. The award recognizes distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the profession of court administration. Bowling has been an employee of the Ottawa County Circuit for 17 years, during which he helped shepherd the courts through the construction of the Grand Haven courthouse in 2009. He is also involved in planning efforts for Ottawa County’s new Family Justice Center in West Olive, which will house Friend of the Court, Juvenile Court and support staff for children involved in family court cases. Bowling previously held positions with the Michigan Supreme Court, including state judicial educator and regional court administrator.

Lowney, Stephen J., with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.

Forbush, Audrey J., managing partner of Plunkett Cooney’s Flint, Michigan office, was recently inducted as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Forbush was formally inducted into ABOTA when the organization’s national board voted in its new class on Oct. 3. Membership is by invitation only. Members must have at least five years of active experience as trial lawyers, have tried at least 10 civil jury trials to conclusion and possess additional litigation experience. Members must also exhibit the virtues of civility, integrity and professionalism by following both ABOTA’s code of professionalism and principles of civility. Forbush serves as a member of Plunkett Cooney’s board of directors and serves as co-leader of the firm’s Governmental Law Practice Group. Forbush focuses her trial practice primarily in the area of municipal liability with particular expertise in police liability cases, including search and seizure, use of force, pursuits and correctional law. Her practice includes additional expertise in the areas of civil rights,

1980

Bushnell Class Dobrich, The Hon. Susan, won the Champion of Justice Award given by the State Bar of Michigan. Otis, David K., of Plunkett Cooney’s East Lansing, Michigan, office, was named a Super Lawyer by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of government. He was also selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in municipal litigation and law. In addition, he received the Best Lawyers 2021 Municipal Litigation Lawyer of the Year award.

1982

Brook Class Leyton, David, was re-elected to a fifth term as Genesee County Chief Prosecutor in Flint, Michigan.

Goodwin Class Nanian, Marjorie, recently became an Administrative Law Judge for Unemployment Appeals in Phoenix, Arizona.

1988

Green Class Cianciosi, Larry, a partner at Hanba Lazar, an employment defense law firm in Flint, Michigan, has been named as a director of the Peckham Community Partnership Foundation board. For more than 30 years, Cianciosi has specialized in employment law with emphasis on disability issues. He is an experienced facilitator, conducting training seminars, webinars and lectures to self-insured employers and insurance carriers on employment issues including workers’ compensation, the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act, FMLA and disability risk management.

whistleblower claims; labor and employment, zoning law and personal injury claims. Forbush also advises public and private universities with respect to Title IX claims of alleged sexual assaults on campus, and she maintains a busy professional liability practice defending physicians and hospitals in medical liability cases. Audrey was also named as a 2020 Michigan Super Lawyer by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of government. 1989

Copeland Class Goodenough, Brian G., with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the areas of Insurance Law, Litigation-Municipal, Litigation-Real Estate, Workers Compensation Law-Employers.

Douglass Class Millenbach, Paul J., with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the areas of Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants. He has also been named a 2020 Super Lawyer by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of business litigation. 1990

Bacon Class Abood, Andrew, was elected to the Lansing Community College Board of Trustees in Lansing, Michigan.

1991

Lawrence Class Makiyama, Hiroe (Ruby Otomi), continues to serve as a senator of the National Diet of Japan. She is in her 14th year. 1992

Durand Class Foster, Ronald L., has worked part-time since September 2018 with the SCAO, Child Welfare Services, at the Hall of Justice in Lansing, as a Foster Care Review Board Appeals Specialist. He continues to offer legal services to clients in Kent, Ottawa, Allegan and Muskegon counties from his office in Hudsonville, Michigan.

to the community, service to the legal profession, and contributed to the development of subordinates. 1993

Moore Class Chernich, Scott A., with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the areas of Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law. 1995

Bird Class Smith, John, a member, co-founder and partner in Smith Butz LLC, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, co-authored an article, “Capture or Convert,” in Probate and Property, September/October 2020, Vol. 35, No. 4.

1998

2006

McDonald Class

Reid Class

Gaitens, Richard, has been promoted to non-equity partner at Rothman Gordon, P.C. He practices Workers’ Compensation Law.

Robinson, Kevin, was recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America in Insurance Law, and as a Top 100 Honoree for the National Black Lawyers. He is an attorney with Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown and Poe, in Beckley, West Virginia.

2000

Cushing Class Leetz, Tom, of Elgin, Illinois, has written and published a treatise on mortuary law. In addition to being an attorney, he is a licensed and practicing funeral director. 2001

Iredell Class Coodin, Steven, a partner with Coodin & Overson, PLLP, in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, was named to the list of Minnesota Super Lawyers for 2020. He practices primarily in the areas of criminal defense and family law.

Montgomery Class

Steere Class

Jones, Col. Leonard W., was selected for the Judge Advocates Association (JAA) 2020 Outstanding Career Judge Advocate Award. Each year the JAA selects a military attorney from every branch of service, in each component, to receive this honor. The Judge Advocate General of each branch of service, along with the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, participates in the selection process. Those selected have demonstrated, throughout their military careers, a record of outstanding professional accomplishments, service

Krupp, Stephen P., Chief Patent Counsel for Molecular Rebar Design LLC, obtained a U.S. patent in under two months to utilize carbon nanotubes in masks to trap the coronavirus.

2002

1997

2005

Fellows Class

McAllister Class

Sanders Jr., Tyrone D., was included in Crain’s Detroit Business’ inaugural list of “50 Names to Know in Lobbying.” He is a partner in the Lansing, Michigan, multi-client lobbying firm, Public Affairs Associates, Inc. Sanders is a 23-year veteran within the lobbying profession.

Johnson Class Hitchcock, Anita, won the Frank Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award given by the State Bar of Michigan.

Terranova, Melissa Sager, was promoted to partner at Fox Rothschild, LLP, in the Taxation & Wealth Planning Department. Based in the firm’s Princeton, New Jersey, office, she represents high-net-worth individuals in designing, implementing and administering complex estate plans. Her practice also extends to trust modifications, trust decanting and fiduciary litigation.

Fitzgerald Class Nemer, Tonya, of Hudson, Ohio, was recently recognized by the Ohio State Bar Association and Ohio Lawyer magazine for her service and mentoring efforts by being awarded the prestigious Nettie Cronise Lutes Award. She serves as the community outreach prosecutor for The Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. Formerly a magistrate at the Akron Municipal Court presiding over small claims, traffic, civil and criminal matters, Nemer has spent the greater part of her career primarily practicing immigration and criminal law. In her current role, she litigates criminal cases. 2008

Sharpe Class Estrella, Jeffrey, authored a science fiction book, The Time Stone, published by Austin Macauley. He is an attorney with the New York Department of Social Services.

Municipal Law. She has also been named a 2020 Rising Star in Bankruptcy: Business by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. 2009

Riley Class Scott, Patricia J., was named a 2020 Super Lawyer by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of Civil Litigation: Plaintiff.

Souris Class Ash, Charles (Rob) IV, was promoted to shareholder at Sommers Schwartz, in Southfield, Michigan. He is a member of Sommers Schwartz’s Complex Litigation Practice Group, representing clients in class and collective actions. He devotes much of his practice to prosecuting violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage and overtime laws, and has appeared in state and federal courts across the United States to recover millions of dollars in damages for employees’ whose employers have wrongfully denied or withheld their compensation. Rob has been named to the list of Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars annually since 2019.

CJ Adams Class Genovich, Laura J., with Foster Swift Collins & Smith, has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy,

Class Notes 2010

Woodward Class Ecker, Crystal M., was recently hired as general counsel and director of administrative Services at Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative in Live Oak, Florida. She previously served as a judicial staff attorney for more than 10 years. In addition to her legal duties as general counsel, she will oversee risk management, compliance, human resources, and governmental relations.

Witherell Class Caswell, Christine was named 2020-2021 chair of the Elder Law & Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan. She serves as a fiduciary for special needs, self-settled, and third-party trusts, as well as providing estate planning services with long-term care considerations. Caswell is a member/owner of Caswell Law PLLC in Lansing, Michigan.

Coyle, Emily, a partner with Plunkett Cooney in Detroit, was selected by her peers for inclusion in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2021 in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Moss, Maurice, of Springfield, Missouri, was named one of “40 Under 40,” by Springfield Business Journal. He is the utility counsel for City Utilities of Springfield. 2011

Sibley Class Malott, Scott W., of Plunkett Cooney in the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, office, was chosen as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of civil litigation defense. O’Leary, The Hon. Breeda, was appointed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, as judge for Wayne 29th District Court. O’Leary has worked as city attorney for Wayne, Michigan; assistant city attorney for Westland, Michigan; prosecutor in 18th and 29th district courts, and with Fausone Bohn LLP. O’Leary won the election Nov. 3, 2020, to fill the remainder of Mack’s term expiring Jan. 1, 2025.

Chipman Class

Wilkins Class

2013

Barlaskar, Abe, of Plunkett Cooney in the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, office, was chosen as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine in the areas of personal injury and defense.

Sadic, Michael, co-founded Sadic & Sriratana LLC, in January 2020 specializing in real estate and business law litigation, located in downtown Chicago. The firm primarily serves small businesses and individuals in state and federal courts, and is focused on forming long-term relationships with quality clients and providing cost-efficient legal services.

Moore Class

McKeen, Harry, of Summitt County, Ohio, was chosen as Community Legal Aid’s 2019 Summit County Volunteer of the Year. In his practice, he focuses on criminal and eviction defense and driver’s license restoration. He was recognized for his volunteer work with Community Legal Aid. One of his signature efforts is serving as a volunteer attorney for VALID (Volunteers Assisting Licensed Individual Drivers) clinics in Summit and other counties. The clinics provide an opportunity for residents whose licenses have been suspended to meet with an attorney and discuss what they need to do to get their driving privileges restored. Wynn, Jessica L., is among a group of industry experts selected by the American Bar Association (ABA) to contribute to the “Recent Developments in Fidelity and Surety Law” section of their Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Spring 2020, Volume 55, Issue 2. This is Wynn’s fourth consecutive year as a contributing author for this journal. She is a member of the Lipson Neilson law firm’s nationally recognized team of surety & fidelity law attorneys, and focuses on Contract Surety Law, Construction Law, Commercial Surety Law, Fidelity Law, Commercial Disputes, and Probate Litigation.

2012

Hilligan Class Hamilton, The Hon. David, an Akron Municipal Court Judge, was named to the 2020 list of “30 For the Future” Class. Judge Hamilton is one of 30 area men and women selected based on professional accomplishments and community involvement. Judge Hamilton was nominated for this honor by fellow Akron Municipal Court Judge Ron Cable. Judge Hamilton has also launched a new court-sponsored program called Compassion, Opportunity, Mentoring, Purpose, Assistance, Survival, Stepping forward (COMPASS) for males 18-26 who are at high risk to reoffend. The program will provide an alternative to jail.

Boora, Kulwant (LL.M.), authored a book, Bar Admission for Foreign Law Graduates and Foreign Lawyers. Boora, with The Boora Law Group in Temperance, Michigan, also has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in both 2019 and 2020. 2014

Livingston Class Dickey, Ashley S., of Plunkett Cooney in the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, office was chosen as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine in the area of personal injury defense.

Todd Class Bourjaily, Ryan P., of Plunkett Cooney in the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, office, was chosen as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine in the areas of estate and trust, and in litigation.

Duvall Class Toth, John P., of Plymouth, Michigan, was named to the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission. He is the owner and head instructor of Formula Jiu Jitsu Academy and is a practicing attorney. He was appointed to represent members who have experience, knowledge, or background in mixed martial arts, for a term commencing June 12, 2020 and expiring June 5, 2024.

2015

In Memoriam 1978

1985

McLean Class

Marston Class

T. Smith Class

Homa, Jonathon, an attorney with Sinas Dramis Law Firm, was named as a “Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer” by The National Trial Lawyers. Homa represents clients in personal injury cases including auto, trucking, and motorcycle accidents, among others. He also has represented significant mass tort cases including the Nassar/ MSU sexual assault scandal, the Flint water crisis, and Roundup cases against Monsanto.

Hakim, Maroun J., 69, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, died Feb. 29, 2020.

Mackowiak, Jayne E., 61, of Gladstone, Michigan, died July 22, 2020. She began her legal career as a criminal defense attorney in Traverse City. In 1987, she relocated to the Upper Peninsula to accept the position of Chief Assistant Prosecutor for Delta County. Three years later, she took a leap of faith and hung out her own shingle in downtown Escanaba, serving the people of Delta County and beyond in matters of criminal defense, probate and family law. For many years, she also served as a federal criminal defense attorney for the U.S. District Court for Western Michigan.

2016

Hughes Class Huber, William Dennis (LL.M.), has had a book published by Routledge (2020), Corporate Law and the Theory of the Firm: Reconstructing Corporations, Shareholders, Directors, Owners, and Investors. 2020

Davis Class Alfaro, Arturo, joined the Transportation Law Practice Group of Plunkett Cooney, in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills, Michigan office. Alfaro focuses his practice on the defense of first- and third-party auto liability cases on behalf of national insurance companies and their policyholders. His practice includes advising clients on pre-suit claims, including strategic planning for anticipated litigation, and providing opinions regarding coverage and priority. Alfaro is also a Michigan Supreme Court certified Spanish court interpreter.

1980

Bushnell Class Chase, Carol Jean (Schellenberg), 67, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, died Sept. 1, 2020, following a two-year battle with cancer. She served as one of the founding members of the Women Lawyers’ Association of Western Michigan. She was instrumental in shaping the Chapter 13 bankruptcy practice of west Michigan. She founded her own firm, Chase Bylenga, which she started with Steve Bylenga in 2010 and not long after, added partner April Hulst to form Chase Bylenga Hulst. 1984

Manning Class Morris-Zimmerman, Linda D., 73, of Battle Creek, Michigan, died March 19, 2020. Her legal career included time as an assistant city attorney/prosecutor for the city of Battle Creek, until she retired in 1996. She opened her own practice in 1997 and retired once again in 2010. 1980

Bushnell Class Fenstersheib, Robert, a south Florida personal injury lawyer, died Sept. 9, 2020, in Hollywood, Florida.

1990

Wilson Class Nolan, Thomas, 68, of Taylorsville, North Carolina, died July 10, 2020. He practiced law in Orlando, Florida, until his retirement in 2010. 1991

Krinock Class Vidrine, William “Bill” Charles, 56, of Lafayette, Louisiana, died July 21, 2020, after a 14-month battle with cancer. He founded and worked at Vidrine & Vidrine Law Firm with his dad, Dennis, for 27 years. His practice consisted of Bankruptcy Law, Family Law, and Personal Injury.

Lawrence Class Marsh, Daniel P., of Shelby Township, Michigan, died March 31, 2020. 1997

Voelker Class

WMU-Cooley encourages all graduates to contribute information to Class Notes. We want to learn about your law career and other accomplishments in the legal profession. E-mail communications@ cooley.edu

Brott, Lizabeth Fox, 62, died July 20, 2020. She spent seven years as an Ingham County Sheriff’s Deputy, then went on to become an investigator for the state of Michigan’s Medical and Pharmacy licensing division. Recognized for her expertise and work ethic, she

was promoted to the position of Regional Vice President of Risk Management for Proassurance. While serving in this position, Brott was a sought-after speaker at numerous national medical risk management conferences and forums. 2001

Iredell Class Hashley, Mark Howard, 63, of Jackson, Michigan, died May 27, 2020, after battling Covid-19 for over a month.

Wilson Class Boissonneau, Virginia, 63, of North Port, Florida, died May 10, 2020, after a short illness. She was a social worker and a family court clerk. 2005

Starr Class Wallace, Gary Alan, 40, of Bath, Michigan, died Sept. 26, 2020, of cancer. He was a partner with Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone law firm. 2012

Hilligan Class Echeverry, Dayana, 38, died Aug. 11, 2020, following a two-month battle with Covid-19. 2018

Woodbury Class Crawford, Gerald, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, died Sept. 14, 2020, when a tree fell on his home in the wake of Tropical Storm Sally. 2020

Davis Class Montes, William, 36, died June 30, 2020. He had been a volunteer at an immigration law non-profit, El Rescate, since he was 16 years old. He was a member of their legal team for 20 years. He also worked at a number of immigration law firms.

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Give generously to the Annual Fund this year and join the ranks of your fellow WMU-Cooley top supporters as a Cooley Society member! Membership is extended to individuals or organizations whose lifetime giving to the law school reaches $2,500 or more. Making a donation is easy. Start at cooley.edu/giving. Give or pledge your tax deductible contribution today!