SUCCESS STARTS HERE LANSING
AUBURN HILLS
GRAND RAPIDS
TAMPA BAY
KALAMAZOO
MICHIGAN | FLORIDA
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL Founded in 1972, the Law School is a private, independent law school formally affiliated with Western Michigan University dedicated to teaching students both the law and how to practice it. We intend that our students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and ethics they need to be competent, successful lawyers. In the model of our namesake, Justice Thomas McIntyre Cooley, one of America’s greatest jurists, we trumpet these hallowed words: “Law students must not forget that they are fitting themselves to be ministers of justice.” Our founder, Justice Thomas E. Brennan, created our inspiring motto: “In corde hominem est anima legis,” which means, “The spirit of the law is in the human heart.” We conduct ourselves by these principles. Toward these goals, Western Michigan University Cooley Law
School offers a long tradition of outstanding teaching and research, a demanding and rigorous curriculum, an emphasis on practical skills as well as classroom knowledge, a focus on professionalism and ethics, and a deep commitment to inclusion and diversity. Those who attend WMU-Cooley will be challenged like never before but will benefit from academic excellence, great student services, accessible faculty, wonderful campus locations, and access to a highly successful alumni body of 20,000 law graduates and 250,000 WMU graduates worldwide.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Attending Law School
2-3
Transformational Experience
4-5
Academics 6-7 Faculty 8-11 Diversity 12-13 Student Life
14-15
Clinics and Externships
16-17
Global Presence
18-19
Ethics and Professionalism
20-21
Achieve Greatness
22-23
Scheduling Options
24-25
Scholarships 26 Career Planning
27
Campuses 28-31 Next Steps
32
ARE YOU READY?
Thomas McIntyre Cooley, Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, was one of the nation’s greatest lawyers and judges. A prolific legal scholar, a law school dean, and a president of the American Bar Association, Cooley wrote court decisions and legal treatises in the mid-1800s that are still cited today.
3 12 7 FIND YOUR EXCELLENCE START DATES
FAST FACTS 25
Begin classes starting in January, May, or September
MONTHS OF ADMISSIONS
DAYS OF CLASSES Evening and weekend classes support part-time study and full-time employment
Year-round admission opportunities
You have the ability to do great things. You are thinking about law school. You have obviously set high goals for yourself.
Law school is a commitment. It is a challenge. It is the type of education that will bring out your best. Come to WMU-Cooley, find your excellence — become the lawyer you aspire to be. You realize the advantages that a legal education can bring. No education could be more stimulating, rigorous, or challenging. Law school will open your mind, unlock your potential, and enable you to achieve in ways that you may have never imagined.
At WMU-Cooley, we know all about potential and achievement. Founded in 1972 by a group of lawyers and judges led by then-Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court Thomas E. Brennan, WMU-Cooley is a national leader in practice preparation. Since the beginning, WMUCooley has identified people like you who have proven to themselves and the world that they have what
it takes to succeed. Thousands of alumni, located all over the nation and the world, serve their communities as lawyers in firms large and small, judges, legislators, prosecutors, defenders, corporate leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs.
3
WMU-COOLEY ALUMNI PRACTICE LAW IN THESE AREAS (data from 2014-2016)
42 30 15 “LAW SCHOOL MADE ME BR %
%
PRIVATE PRACTICE
FAST FACTS 59 3
BUSINESS / INDUSTRY
%
GOVERNMENT
Equipped with a legal education and a passion for the law, an attorney can have a rewarding and fulfilling career in private practice. But a legal education provides opportunities far beyond private practice — it is one of the most versatile, most useful academic disciplines available today. A LEGAL EDUCATION:
Sharpens your critical-thinking and problemsolving abilities
Teaches discipline, leadership, and organization skills
Enhances your ability to communicate clearly and persuasively
MAJOR ERIC A. JONKER
HON. VONDA EVANS
U.S. Army JAG Senior Legal Advisor
Circuit Court Judge
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
4
Instills a strong work ethic, professionalism, and confidence
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
3 6 3 IGHTER. BOLDER. BETTER.” %
%
%
CLERKSHIPS
PUBLIC INTEREST
ACADEMIA
“ The investment a student makes in [business school or law school] degrees today is likely to produce at least a 10x return over his or her career.” SHAWN O’CONNOR, FORBES MAGAZINE
Earning a law degree is a good career move with many career options.
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
A law degree is so much more than just a return on investment. It is an investment in you! It is an investment in what you want to give and get out of life. Study after study will tell you that higher education pays, in more ways than one.
“
My law school experience enriched me with confidence and the practical skills necessary in the professional world. The skills I gained in my research and writing classes were immediately applicable in my work after graduation.” JOHN SCHMIEDING WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ARTHREX, INC.
JOHN W. SCHMIEDING
HON. RASHIDA TLAIB
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
Senior Vice President at Arthrex Inc.
Public Interest Lawyer, Former Legislator 5
90 8 1 WMU-COOLEY: A TRANSF
FAST FACTS 5
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
CREDIT PROGRAM 65 credits in required courses plus 25 credits in electives stress the fundamentals of law and practice
CLINICAL EXPERIENCES Practical training prepares you for a good job
#
IN DIVERSITY Our student diversity makes for a rich learning and cultural environment
We train students to be lawyers who know how to get the job done. Our challenging academic programs blend rigorous classes with practical legal experience to prepare students for the bar exam, the courtroom, and the real-world practice of law. What will you get from a WMU-Cooley Law School degree?
“ 6
The thing is, when you go into the real world, you’re not working with people just like you. You’re working with people of all different types of races, cultures, religions and creeds. I believe WMU-Cooley instills this in their students – to respect diversity. To respect culture.”
HARDAM TRIPATHI 2017 WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE; UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TAMPA BAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP; UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION, CHAMPIONS COUNCILMAN
56 3 ORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE FULL-TIME FACULTY
Our outstanding faculty are great teachers committed to student success
/YR
BEGIN IN JANUARY, MAY, OR SEPTEMBER Begin law school when it best suits you
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
CHALLENGING ACADEMICS • Comprehensive curriculum • Thorough bar exam preparation • Faculty holds students to high standards • Mid-term exams reinforce learning
FACULTY COMMITTED TO STUDENTS • Accessible professors • Faculty are legal practitioners and excellent teachers • Culture of continuous feedback • Connect students with alumni and future employers
PREPARED FOR LAW PRACTICE
FLEXIBLE PROGRAMS
• Top-notch facilities • Experiential learning • Courtroom readiness • Legal skill development • Large alumni network
• Year-round admission opportunities • Begin in January, May or September • Class schedule that supports full-time employment • Evening and weekend schedules support part-time study
TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCE
COMMITMENT TO SERVICE
• Welcoming to all students • Diverse student body • Collaborative environment • Supportive of student success
• Clinics provide opportunities for community service • Student externships provide value to community • Graduates committed to careers that serve individuals and communities
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THE WRITE STUFF
1 8 CHALLENGING ACADEMICS
FAST FACTS 59 7
ST
COOLEY COOLEY LAW LAW SCHOOL SCHOOL
LEGAL DRAFTING
WMU-Cooley was one of the first law schools in the nation to require coursework in legal drafting
CREDIT HOURS
Minimum requirement of research and writing, resulting in a skill set that gives students a distinct advantage
The Law School’s comprehensive curriculum includes courses you need to succeed on the bar exam and in practice. Whatever area of law you pursue, WMU-Cooley’s programs will give you the knowledge and practical skills you will need to succeed.
8
+
5
WRITING ELECTIVES
Choose from additional electives, such as Scholarly Writing, Pre-Trial Skills, Appellate Practice, Journals and Law Reviews
9
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
Focus your study in a particular field of your choice
The Write Stuff
JURIS DOCTOR (J.D.) DEGREE WMU-Cooley’s J.D. curriculum is designed to help you master the knowledge, skills, and ethics needed for the bar examination, law practice, and even further graduate study. The curriculum also requires actual practical experience. Every WMU-Cooley student gets real-world experience before graduation. SPECIALIZE YOUR CURRICULUM Whether you are interested in environmental law, sports and entertainment law, business law, or civil rights, you can tailor your curriculum to meet your interests. DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAMS WMU-Cooley’s dual-degree programs with Western Michigan University and several other institutions of higher learning allow you to earn a J.D. degree and a master’s degree in Business Administration, Educational Leadership, Health Administration, Human Resources and Organizational Development, Public Administration, or Social Work. MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.) DEGREES WMU-Cooley offers a broad array of graduate legal education programs. Students can earn an LL.M. degree in Tax, Intellectual Property Law, Corporate Law and Finance, Insurance Law, Homeland and National Security Law, General Studies, and U.S. Legal Studies for Foreign Attorneys.
9
56 115 9 OUR FACULTY. YOUR MEN FULL-TIME FACULTY
FAST FACTS 59
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
World-class faculty regularly serve the media as legal experts
ADJUNCT FACULTY
Practicing lawyers and judges bring a wealth of practical experience to the classroom
OUT OF 10 RATING
Students give an average faculty rating of 9 out of 10 in course evaluations
Imagine learning criminal law from a professor who was a prosecutor for 20 years — or learning about homeland and national security from a professor who was a Brigadier General and the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense Strategy.
“ 10
he WMU-Cooley Innocence Project team T demonstrates how legal expertise and hard work can combine to provide liberty and justice for the oppressed, all while giving our students the clinical experience of a lifetime.”
MARLA MITCHELL-CICHON WMU-COOLEY LAW SCHOOL INNOCENCE PROJECT DIRECTOR
7:1 NTORS.
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO Students benefit from small classes and individualized attention from caring teachers
15
AVERAGE YEARS TEACHING EXPERIENCE Veteran faculty are skilled teachers
11
AVERAGE YEARS PRIOR PRACTICE EXPERIENCE
Unmatched Excellence
Full-time faculty have a world of practice experience
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
6
6
HIGH FACULTY RANKINGS WMU-Cooley students think very highly of their professors, consistently ranking the faculty a nine on a scale of 10 in course evaluations. MORE PRACTICE EXPERIENCE Our professors average 11 years of practice experience before joining our faculty. MORE TEACHING EXPERIENCE WMU-Cooley professors teach three semesters a year, which adds up to a faculty with more teaching experience than almost any other law faculty in the country. WMU-Cooley faculty average 15 years in the classroom.
Our faculty are committed to the success of each student. As mentors, they combine their own experience practicing law with a love of teaching, providing individualized support and continuous feedback to each student. WMU-Cooley law professors base their teaching on vast experience as practicing lawyers. They bring to the classroom a real and tangible perspective making learning robust and relevant. The real-world experience of the faculty complements the theoretical foundation of their teaching and provides valuable insights into the practice of law.
Visit cooley.edu/faculty to see the entire list of WMU-Cooley’s exceptional professors and faculty experts.
11
A FACULTY THAT SPEA
Our experienced faculty bring to the classroom their expertise on nearly every legal issue.
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR EMERITUS CURT BENSON A practicing litigator and educator, Professor Benson has tried dozens of jury trials in both civil and criminal courts. He hosts a very popular syndicated radio program, The Lawyers. WILX News 10 asked him to break down the case against Dr. Larry Nassar, the former Michigan State University and USA gymnastics sports medicine doctor who is accused of sexually abusing patients throughout his career.
“
PROFESSOR MARTHA MOORE
These are the best of times in this information age where inquiring minds want to know everything right now — real-time news as it is happening. Information is readily available and instantly available. These are also the worst of times because information is instantly available, but a lot of it is untrue.
”
DETROIT LEGAL NEWS AND GRAND RAPIDS LEGAL NEWS, REGARDING “FAKE NEWS.”
PROFESSOR CHRIS HASTINGS Professor Chris Hastings was identified as an expert in the Flint water crisis Court of Claims issue and was featured in the Associated Press.
“
“Defense lawyers aren’t going to come in and say these cases don’t have any merit based on the facts. They’re going to come in with narrow, technical defenses that exist regardless of those issues. Courts are good at setting the emotions aside and looking at the law.”
”
PROFESSOR BRENDAN BEERY Constitutional Law Professor Brendan Beery appeared on WTSP News 10 responding to the question: Should sex offenders be allowed to use social media?
“
PROFESSOR JEFF SWARTZ Criminal defense attorney and former Miami-Dade County Court Judge, Professor Jeff Swartz appeared on Bay News 9 and Orlando News 13 about President Donald Trump’s two executive orders that would ban immigration from several Muslim-majority countries.
“
One of the things the court looks at is what is the significance of the government’s interest – and saving children, you don’t get better than that.
”
PROFESSOR DAVID TARRIEN Assistant Professor and Auxiliary Dean David Tarrien was interviewed about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case of Endrew F. v Douglas County School District, which involved students with disabilities.
“
What the plaintiff wants to make it about would be the freedom of religion on the part of the school and they put forth a number of arguments saying that with religious schooling, the government cannot get unduly entangled — and in a broad sense that is correct.
PROFESSOR MARLA MITCHELL-CICHON WMU-Cooley Innocence Project Director Marla Mitchell-Cichon was quoted nationally for her role in the exoneration of LeDura Watkins, released after nearly 42 years of imprisionment in a life sentence for a murder that he did not commit.
“
That evidence is completely false and unreliable. In 1975 there was no reliable, credible evidence against Mr. Watkins. (The one hair) could’ve been yours.
”
PROFESSOR RICHARD HENKE
The state is better off accepting responsibility and moving the focus to how are we going to fix this, compensate the victims and prevent future damage from happening. 12
REGARDING THE FLINT WATER CRISIS
”
LEDURA WATKINS FOLLOWING HIS RELEASE.
”
KS FROM EXPERIENCE
The media and the public rely on our faculty for expert commentary because the faculty match their scholarship with experience gained from wide-ranging law practice. PROFESSOR DEVIN SCHINDLER Auxiliary Dean and Professor Devin Schindler discussed then PresidentElect Donald Trump’s plan for his business and expert analysis on what a Trump presidency would mean for health insurance on WalletHub’s blog. Professor Schindler is a frequent commentator on numerous healthcare and Constitutional issues, having been interviewed over 200 times by radio, television, print and internet media sources. His comments have appeared in Time Magazine, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle and numerous local media outlets.
RET. BRIGADIER GENERAL AND PROFESSOR MICHAEL MCDANIEL Ret. Brigadier General, Associate Dean and Professor Michael C.H. McDaniel reached an estimated worldwide audience of 50 million people on topics from President Trump’s executive travel orders to ban immigration from Muslim-majority countries to the Boston Marathon bombings, airport security, and the Flint water crisis. He discussed President Trump’s scolding of the media during a FOX 2 Let It Rip Weekend.
PROFESSOR VICTORIA VULETICH Professor Victoria Vuletich was featured in The Grand Rapids Press about how former President Gerald R. Ford’s integrity and devotion to public service could be the answer to solving key concerns with the country’s current political climate.
“
Leadership is always by example, never by dictate. You can only persuade people by example and leading by example. If we can create future leaders that conduct themselves both professionally and personally the way President Ford conducted himself — and they are taking sprout across the country — that would be a great contribution to the future stability and harmony of our society.
“
The real issue is that they were lessening sanctions and they promised to lessen sanctions on the Russians before they were even in office.… And what was the purpose of those sanctions — because Russia was found to be influencing our Democratic process. That’s the real issue.
”
”
PROFESSOR NELSON MILLER Associate Dean Nelson Miller was featured globally on BBC Radio 5 Live in a story surrounding whether or not a parrot’s testimony can be considered a reliable court witness in a murder case.
“
The prosecutor is usually ill-advised to take this kind of tack when he has two or three suicide notes from the wife who apparently charged the man with the shooting; that and whatever physical evidence they gathered at the scene, which probably included the murder weapon and ballistics and everything else is pretty strong evidence, and to interject this kind of odd evidence is a very poor tactic… It’s always a bad idea and almost always works against you.… Proof always has to be beyond a reasonable doubt and when you interject this kind of testimony you raise all kinds of doubt.
”
PROFESSOR LAUREN ROUSSEAU Rousseau recently spearheaded a program titled, “Silence Equals Death: How the Heroin Epidemic is Driving Change in Perception, Treatment, and the Law.”
13
STUDENT BODY DEMOGRAPHICS
42 21-71 A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY %
FAST FACTS 59 13
STUDENTS OF COLOR
AGE RANGE
COOLEY COOLEY LAW LAW SCHOOL SCHOOL
Students who attend WMU-Cooley come from across the nation and from around the world. The diversity of their backgrounds and perspectives creates a dynamic, open, and uniquely stimulating learning environment that enriches the educational experience and, ultimately, the career of every WMU-Cooley graduate.
LAW STUDENT AND PROFESSIONAL RECORDING ARTIST
WORKING TO HELP PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEES
NATIVE ODAWA INDIAN FOCUSING ON BUSINESS LAW FOR INDIANS
NATIONAL ABA CLIENT COUNSELING COMPETITION WINNERS
14
RETIRED U.S. MARINE CORPS STUDYING LAW AS SECOND CAREER
+
43/57 100 FOR A DIVERSE WORLD MALE TO FEMALE RATIO
VETERANS
currently attending – designated a military friendly institution
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
14
WMU-Cooley believes lawyers and judges should mirror the rich diversity found in the communities they serve. Our students learn in a welcoming, supportive environment that prepares them to practice law in all types of settings and communities, ultimately making for a more vital, well-rounded, and empathetic legal profession.
RETIRED U.S. ARMY PFC HELPING VETERANS GET MILITARY BENEFITS
SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE AND LAW STUDENT AT AGE 40
GERMAN EXCHANGE STUDENT WORKS FOR INNOCENCE PROJECT
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR AND WEEKEND STUDENT
SINGLE MOM OF SIX AND WEEKEND LAW STUDENT AT AGE 46
RETIRED FROM U.S. NAVY, COMMUTED FROM SEATTLE FOR WEEKEND PROGRAM
U.S. ARMY SERGEANT, POLICE TEAM LEADER, AND FOUR-TIME RECIPIENT OF ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
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35 3 14 VIBRANT STUDENT LIFE
FAST FACTS 59 13 15
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
STUDENT SCHOLARLY JOURNALS
STUDENT SKILLS COMPETITION TEAMS
COOLEY LAW WMU-COOLEY COOLEY LAW SCHOOL SCHOOL LAW SCHOOL
WMU-Cooley students have great opportunities to pursue their interests and improve their skills while serving their communities. Some examples include:
35+
Student Organizations
Law Review, Study Abroad Law Journal, Mock Trial, Moot Court
Melbourne, Australia; Hamilton, New Zealand; Oxford, England; Toronto, Canada; and an exchange agreement with Münster Germany
Competitions: Intra-School and National Moot Court Competitions, First Year Competition, Evidence Competition, Intra-School Trial Competition, Invitational Trial Competition, National Mock Trial Teams, ABA Client Counseling, and ABA Negotiation Competitions
16
+
70
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SERVED BY STUDENTS KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
SKILLS COMPETITIONS
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES
WMU-Cooley teams won the national title in the ABA Client Counseling Competition in 2011 and 2015, later representing the United States in the world competition.
Students can expand their leadership skills and develop lasting relationships with fellow students through involvement in student organizations. They might be interested in becoming the voice of students in the Student Bar Association, participating in organizations such as the Black Law Student’s Association, or exploring the intersections of faith and the law in the Muslim, Christian, or Jewish student groups. Students can also participate in organizations related to sports law, intellectual property law, criminal law, and a variety of other subjects.
WMU-Cooley coordinates with more than 30 programs that offer free legal assistance to people who cannot afford representation. WMU-Cooley faculty, staff, and students contribute hundreds of thousands of hours of free legal service per year through pro bono projects, externships, and clinics.
SCHOLARLY JOURNALS Students can earn the chance to serve on the school’s Law Review or its Journal of Practical and Clinical Law. J.D. students and students earning an LL.M. in Homeland and National Security Law can earn the chance to serve on that program’s new online Homeland and National Security Law Journal.
16
COMMUNITY SERVICE Students, faculty and staff generously serve communities not only where they live, but around the country. Recent service to communities include: • Hurricane and disaster relief • Mentoring high school students • Supporting children’s literacy programs • Veteran assistance programs • Mental health initiatives 17
8 4 LEARN THE LAW WHILE YOU CLINICS
FAST FACTS 59
Gain real-world legal experience as a student.
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
EXONERATIONS
The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project has won the release of four wrongfully convicted individuals, including the June 2017 release of LeDura Watkins, who served nearly 42 years in prison for a robbery and murder he did not commit
What does it really mean to be “prepared for law practice,” particularly in a global society? At WMU-Cooley the answer is clear. Since its founding, WMU-Cooley has placed students into the field to learn how to practice. WMU-Cooley’s strong skills curriculum, coupled with thousands of opportunities to apply those skills, will set you apart and give you confidence to be a lawyer from day one. One of the greatest advantages of a legal education is that it can take you anywhere in the world. At WMU-Cooley, you can prepare for a good job by choosing a real-life experience to complete your legal education. WMU-Cooley is one of the few schools in the nation that require a clinical experience before graduation, either through an externship or 8 clinic opportunities. You have many choices.
18
+
3 3,000 OU GAIN JOB EXPERIENCE CREDITS MINIMUM
Few schools require field experience for graduation. We do.
EXTERNSHIP SITES
Unmatched Excellence
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
CLINICS WMU-Cooley has 8 clinics (on campus or nearby) giving students real-world experience that allows them to start making a difference the day they graduate. Each campus has a clinic for evening and weekend students.
• Access to Justice Clinic • Debt Relief Clinic • Estate Planning Clinic • Family Law Assistance Project • WMU-Cooley Innocence Project • Washtenaw Public Defender Clinic • Western Michigan Public Defender Clinic • Sixty Plus Inc., Elderlaw Clinic
EXTERNSHIPS WMU-Cooley students can explore their chosen field of work and gain valuable experience by participating in an externship with an experienced lawyer at one of more than 3,000 sites worldwide. The WMU-Cooley Externship Program is a partnership between students, practicing attorneys, and
6
6
WMU-Cooley faculty. In our externships, students may earn up to 10 academic credits for work that they perform under a licensed attorney who has been practicing for at least three years. Refer to the map in this viewbook to get a sense of the vast offerings of externship opportunities.
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33
50 27 4 WMU-COOLEY’S PRESENCE STATES WMU-Cooley
FAST FACTS 59
COUNTRIES
alumni live in every state of the union
PROGRAMS to learn about the laws and cultures of other nations
WMU-Cooley alumni are practicing law in many nations around the world
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
Nearly wherever you go, you will find WMU-Cooley graduates and learning opportunities. Network Wwith WMU-Cooley alumni across 50 M I D E ST states and 27 countries. Broaden your legal experience by studying at WEST 10,144 locations around the world. Gain experience at over 3,000 externship sites globally. ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
1,435
142
33 20 18
56
5
21
105
16 28
8
9
16
20 222
3
24
136
WEST
10,144
19
34 33
WEST
8
18
175
501 123
53
5
21
1,434
7
207
56 16 51 9
40
28
ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
8 24
324
6
9
5
24
8
33
31 80
222
3 138 31
7
63
19
289
66
31
43
40
6 40
83
59
2 6
34
8
WEST
2,811
ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
569
20
16
8255 894
60
1019 210
34 620 127
478 111
33
8
51
9
175
1301 197 53
501 123
110
32 305
160
50
49
WEST
3,075 24ALUMNI 5
EXTERNSHIP SITES
254 24
138
8
689
31 39
33
11
12
153 289
34
66
496 118 31
2
43
16 1301 197
SOUTH WEST
3,075
ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
689
20
14
4
107
14
528
79
16
SOUTH
427 110
207
153
79
15 106
885 168 189
7
12
11
24 254
14
528
22
20
496 118 34
2
33
28
49 105
50
107
241
32 305
39
136 31
1,435
110
5 160
WEST
ALUMNI 620 127 EXTERNSHIP SITES
478 111 885 168
189 31 142 33 427 110
63
7
31 80
RTHEAST NO
4
E ST MIDW1019 210
8255 894
6
28
14
5
60
22
6
241
40
83
59
15
2
106
6
34
8
E
+
3,000 10 SPANS THE GLOBE EXTERNSHIP SITES
WMU-COOLEY STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM LOCATIONS:
Unmatched Excellence
20 6 6
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
EXCHANGE PROGRAM • Exchange agreement with Münster, Germany
• Melbourne, Australia • Hamilton, New Zealand • Oxford, England • Toronto, Canada
T IN
ACADEMIC CREDITS
can be earned in an externship
Gain practice experience at sites in the U.S. and abroad
ERNATIONAL WEST
272
ALUMNI EXTERNSHIP SITES
74
1 3 5 6
2
1 10
2
1
198 36
2
2 2
2
1 1
1
1
1
1 1
1 2
1
1 1
2
1 1
2 1
1
5
1
1
1
2
10 3
2
1
1 4
2
2
2
2
3 1
1
1
2
5
2
6 1
4 2
1
7
1
14
2 2
1
1
1
3
3
1 1
1
1
1 3
WMU-Cooley Study Abroad Program Locations Exchange Program 21
+
5,000 30 ETHICS, PROFESSIONALISM
FAST FACTS 59 21
VOLUMES OF ETHICS MATERIALS
PRO BONO PROGRAMS
COOLEY COOLEY LAW LAW SCHOOL SCHOOL
A lawyer’s professional reputation and character mean everything. From the first day of law school, WMU-Cooley students are expected to live and perform as professionals, learning not just a body of knowledge and skills, but also embracing the ethics, values, and conduct required of their profession.
“ 22
I will not lie, I will not cheat, I will not steal, I will not plagiarize, and I will not tolerate those who do. ”
WMU-COOLEY HONOR CODE OATH ADMINISTERED BY A ROBED JUDGE TO EVERY STUDENT AT FIRST-TERM ORIENTATION
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1 11,000 AND SERVICE STUDENT PRO BONO AND PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS ANNUALLY
#
RECIPIENT OF ABA’S HIGHEST PROFESSIONALISM AWARD
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
22
Our unique, strong culture of professionalism and service emphasizes a lawyer’s obligation to give back. Our legal clinics and numerous volunteer opportunities allow students to learn the law while making a difference in the lives of others. The path to professionalism begins with the application process, builds throughout law school, and continues into your career. Everyone at WMU-Cooley is encouraged to adopt professionalism as a way of life. Our innovative, American Bar Association award-winning Professionalism Plan features professional development opportunities, mentoring
relationships, a speaker series, workshops, the creation of a professionalism portfolio, and more. With this plan and other initiatives, we have created a culture of professionalism that permeates our school and touches every WMU-Cooley student. WMU-Cooley Law School is a national leader among law schools in helping its students learn their professional
obligations while internalizing a personal commitment to ethics and service. In one year alone, working through clinics, externships and service, WMUCooley logs tens of thousands of hours of free legal assistance to the community.
We share a commitment to service that our students can carry into their communities throughout their careers. 23
+
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20,000 200 ACHIEVE GREATNESS WITH
FAST FACTS 59 21 23
TOTAL ALUMNI
COOLEY COOLEY LAW LAW SCHOOL SCHOOL
JUDGES
on courts in Michigan, Florida, and 22 other states plus in federal agencies
A WMU-Cooley degree puts you in good company. Besides working in law firms of every size, our graduates hold or have held these positions (and more):
VISITING SCHOLAR AT HARVARD, YALE, AND OXFORD
FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR STATE
APPELL ATE JUDGE
SENATOR
REPRESENTATIVE
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
CORPORATE
CEO
LAW FBI P R E S I D E N T CORPORATE
PROFESSOR A G E N T
U.S. Hospital TECHNOLOGY INVESTOR A R M Y
JAG SENIOR LEGAL
ADVISOR
MEMBER
OF
JAPANESE
L E G I S L AT U R E MEMBER
OF
CANADIAN
PA R L I A M E N T
24
INTERNATIONAL JUDGE
CEO COUNTY
PROSECUTOR
ENTREPRENEUR
LOBBYIST
CONGRESSMAN
Governor
TRIAL COURT
U.S. EMBASSY JUDGE
L E G A L CYBER Attaché SECURITY A D V I S O R
LARRY NOLAN PRIVATE PRACTITIONER AND 2016-17 PRESIDENT OF THE STATE BAR OF MICHIGAN
+
70 26 A WMU-COOLEY DEGREE ELECTED COUNTY PROSECUTORS
LEGISLATORS currently or formerly serving in U.S. Congress, the Canadian Parliament, the Japanese Diet, and many states
nationwide
WMU-Cooley graduates have been named Super Lawyers and State Bar presidents in multiple states. Others have been elected to Congress and the national parliaments of Canada and Japan. Still others have run universities and hospitals, major business corporations, sports organizations, and even an NHL hockey team.
In short, you can do much with a WMUCooley education. You will be in good company. WMU-Cooley alumni will be part of your network — your professional family of 20,000 fellow graduates — from your first day of law school.
HON. KEVIN COTTER FORMER SPEAKER OF THE MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THE CRADLE OF JUDGES
It is fitting that WMU-Cooley was founded by a judge and named after a judge. Since its founding in 1972, WMU-Cooley has produced more than 200 judges in at least 23 states, including California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York, plus Canada. The school has produced more than 160 judges in Michigan alone.
RUBY SAHOTA MEMBER OF THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT
HON. KEVIN F. ROBBINS DISTRICT COURT JUDGE
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
22
Why are WMU-Cooley graduates so wellsuited for the bench? The answer is easy. Given WMU-Cooley’s longstanding emphasis on teaching students the skills they will need to excel in practice, nobody is more at home in the courtroom than a WMU-Cooley graduate. Combine this with WMU-Cooley’s ABA award-winning emphasis on ethics and professionalism, and WMU-Cooley graduates are ready for great leadership in the courtroom and in the community.
HON. RUBY MAKIYAMA HOUSE OF COUNCILLORS THE NATIONAL DIET OF JAPAN
25
3 12 7 STUDY LAW ON YOUR TERM START DATES
FAST FACTS 25
Begin classes starting in September, January, or May
MONTHS
WMU-Cooley admits students year-round
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
DAYS OF CLASSES OFFERED Night and weekend classes support part-time study and full-time employment
With multiple campuses, night and weekend programs, and classes that start year-round, we give you the opportunity to study law on your terms, at your pace, in a way that meets your unique needs. Flexible scheduling options support part-time study and full-time employment.
“
We weren’t traditional students. We were married with a family, a house and car payments. There is nowhere else I felt I could have gone and still maintained our responsibilities. WMU-Cooley allowed us to do that through flexible schedules and evening classes. That is something unique, and we appreciated it.”
BRYAN AND ELIZABETH DEVOLDER 2016 WMU-COOLEY GRADUATES AND ABA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, CLIENT COUNSELING COMPETITION
2-5 1 15 RMS AT YOUR PACE YEARS TO COMPLETE
Take 2-5 years to complete your J.D. Attend year-round if you wish
ST
YEAR-ROUND EDUCATION TAUGHT BY FULL-TIME FACULTY WMU-Cooley has a 12-month academic year consisting of three 15-week semesters. You may begin classes in September, January, or May. No matter when you start, you will be taught by the same full-time faculty and will have to meet the same graduation requirements.
WMU-Cooley’s program is ideal both for students who work while attending law school and for students on a more traditional schedule. Students at some campuses may also choose to complete their entire legal education solely on the weekend.
AND LARGEST WEEKEND PROGRAM means you can
still earn your law degree while working and raising a family
WMU-COOLEY SCHEDULE OPTIONS: • Weekday program • Evening program • Weekend program • Two-year program • Classes offered seven days a week • Classes that begin in September, January, or May • Classes offered year-round Visit wmich.edu/law.edu to review all schedule options.
WEEKS PER SEMESTER
Unmatched Excellence
10-100 10-50 GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIPS % HONORS SCHOLARSHIP
FAST FACTS 25
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
RANK SCHOLARSHIP % CLASS Earn a scholarship based on class rank even if you are not receiving an honors scholarship
available to qualified students
Earn from 10-100% of tuition — applied to all 90 credits required for graduation — which means the scholarship is yours to keep throughout your enrollment at WMU-Cooley.
“
My academic credentials were a fit with the admission standards, plus I saw an opportunity for a nice scholarship. A scholarship was important to me because it allows me to avoid having lots of debt once I graduate from law school.” HONORS SCHOLAR
AFFORDING LAW SCHOOL
*SCHOLARSHIP GUARANTEE
ASSISTANCE
MORE INFORMATION
• WMU-Cooley continually tries to find ways to reduce the cost of legal education. WMU-Cooley rewards academic achievement with generous honors scholarships.
• Unlike many law schools that • All students have access to • For more information about only guarantee a scholarship an Enrollment and Student WMU-Cooley’s generous for one year, honors scholars Services coordinator who can honors scholarship program, retain their entering scholarhelp explore financial aid visit wmich.edu/law ship award for all 90 credits, options and assist with loan or contact: so long as they are not subject repayment plans. Admissions Office to sanctions under the (517) 371-5140, ext. 2244 Honor Code or disciplinary admissions@cooley.edu procedures.
28
%
100 40 100 CAREER PLANNING +
SCHOLARSHIP GUARANTEE
Students retain earned scholarship
EMPLOYERS
interviewed or posted jobs with the law school in 2015
+
EMPLOYERS interviewed on campus during 2015
As a student, you can team up with WMU-Cooley’s Career & Professional Development Office to build your résumé and portfolio. During law school and after graduation, you can always access WMU-Cooley’s extensive and dynamic alumni network. CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE • You will be supported by a staff of experienced career advisors, many of whom are lawyers themselves • Year-round, on-campus interview programs • Sample résumés and cover letters • Internet job-search resources
• Career-resource library • Mock-interview programs • Job fairs and conference listings • Distinguished guest speaker series • Résumé and cover-letter workshops
• Volunteer Opportunities – matching law-related organizations with law students who seek substantive volunteer experience
• Access to Large Database – where students can research employers, apply for jobs, schedule counseling appointments, and RSVP to events
A MENTORING ALUMNI NETWORK With 20,000 WMU-Cooley alumni across the country and around the world, you will have access to a vast network of successful practicing lawyers who are available as advisors and mentors as you begin your legal career.
WMU-Cooley alumni pride themselves in knowing that they have received an education that is one of the best in the nation. Our alumni have gone on to successful careers in every state in the nation and around the world.
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AUBURN HILLS
59
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
CORPORATIONS
Oakland County, Michigan is home to many Fortune 500 companies
No matter which campus you choose, you will learn in an outstanding, spacious facility with every technological advantage. WMU-Cooley provides a comfortable, inviting learning environment. AUBURN HILLS • Facility sits on 67 serene wooded acres, yet in the heart of Oakland County • Near major business operations and Fortune 500 company headquarters
• LEED® Silver certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) • Access to metropolitan Detroit legal and business communities
AUBURN HILLS CAMPUS
30
CERTIFIED
FAST FACTS
with beautiful, peaceful woodlands and wetlands
FO R TUNE
67 500 LEED YEAR-ROUND ADMISSIONS I ACRES A campus
GRAND RAPIDS
KALAMAZOO
2 10 10 IN GREAT CITIES #
TOP PLACE TO LIVE According to Relocate America’s ranking
TOP 10 RANKING
of most affordable housing markets in the United States
#
BEST CITY TO LIVE
10
#
in Michigan by creditdonkey.com
BEST CITIES FOR WORK-LIFE BALANCE in Forbes study
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
20 6 6
With appellate and trial courtrooms at all campuses, high-tech classrooms throughout, and one of America’s largest law libraries, our facilities and services are unmatched in size, quality, and beauty. GRAND RAPIDS • Located in the dynamic, urban Heartside District with its great culture, arts, restaurants, and clubs • Access to Grand Rapids legal and business communities • Near beautiful Lake Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS
KALAMAZOO • Features WMU, a major national research university enrolling more than 23,000 students from across the United States and 100 other countries • Friendly, top-rated college town situated close to large urban centers, great jobs and abundant recreational areas • Named one of the top 29 cities in the world for twentysomethings by Buzzfeed
KALAMAZOO LOCATION AT WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
31
LANSING
10 3 5 STUDY IN MICHIGAN OR FLO TOP CITY
FAST FACTS 59
COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
One of Livability’s top 10 best affordable places to live
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT Study just blocks from the State Capitol, administrative offices, and the courts
GREAT LAKES with four great seasons
So ask yourself: Do I want to live and study in a thriving capital city? Or in the warmth of the Florida sun? Or perhaps in a vibrant mid-size city close to spectacular Lake Michigan?
LANSING • Located in the heart of Michigan’s capital city • Walking distance from the State Capitol building • Access to the Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, local courts, and administrative offices • Designated as one of the nation’s 10 great cities for young adults
32
LANSING CAMPUS
TAMPA BAY
1 246 400 ORIDA. YOUR CHOICE. #
TOP RANKING CITY
Tampa is the top ranking city Americans are moving to right now – July 2016 Forbes
SUNNY DAYS/YEAR Live and study in one of the nation’s best climates
SQUARE MILES OPEN WATER ESTUARY
Enjoy Tampa Bay’s wonderful waters and beaches
KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ETHICS
20 6 6
AMENITIES YOU ENJOY, NO MATTER WHICH CAMPUS YOU ATTEND
Unlike any other law school in America, WMU-Cooley enables you to choose the perfect setting for your law school experience and your lifestyle — one that is just right for you. Arrange a visit at wmich.edu/law and see for yourself. TAMPA BAY
• Known worldwide for its beautiful landscape, myriad attractions, and thriving arts and entertainment offerings • Minutes from downtown Tampa, major law firms, courthouses, and Fortune 500 companies • Highly desirable place to live and learn the law • Vibrant, diverse, and active legal community
• Spacious and modern facilities • Appellate and trial courtrooms • High-tech courtrooms & classrooms • Expansive and comfortable library • Wireless access • Career & Professional Development office • Academic Resource Center • Student Bar Association • Student organizations • Student services • In-house clinics • Access to more than 3,000 externship sites • Full-time faculty for required courses • Faculty advisor
TAMPA BAY CAMPUS
33
FAST FACTS 59
visit
Apply
ANYTIME throughout the year. admissions@cooley.edu 517-371-5140 ext. 2244 wmich.edu/law
NO FEE
wmich.edu/law
TAKE THE NEXT STEP WMU-Cooley is a great choice for your legal education. We help you plan for a fulfilling, successful law career. We work to give you the tools you need to become the best lawyer you can be. And we are committed to your success — from your first day at WMU-Cooley to long after you graduate. Take the next step. Come to WMU-Cooley and unlock your potential to achieve in ways you may never have imagined.
34
“ IF YOU NEED HELP YOU CAN GET IT.
The selling point is the professsors. Not a bad one yet and all are different. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY PREPARES YOU FOR THE PRACTICE OF LAW. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT TAMPA BAY CAMPUS
WMU-Cooley is new, with current technology, and all in one building. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT TAMPA BAY CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
I am amazed at the number of resources and professors available. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
OUR PRE-REQS ARE ALL SUBJECT MATTER FOR THE BAR EXAM. WE WILL BE MORE PREPARED FOR THE BAR.
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT TAMPA BAY CAMPUS
I was really anxious for a change, and WMU-Cooley gave me the option to start in May.
Employers like us because we know what we’re doing.
They will always meet you halfway.
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
IT’S LESS CUTTHROAT. BUT IT STILL HAS THE COMPETITIVE EDGE YOU NEED FOR LAW PRACTICE. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS
It’s so close-knit here, and smaller. It feels more like a family even with people you haven’t met before.
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
FACULTY AND STAFF ARE SUPPORTIVE AND MAKE ME FEEL AT HOME.
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
I BELIEVE ITS PRACTICAL APPROACH TO EDUCATION IS UNMATCHED.
It feels more like a family.
THE WEEKEND PROGRAM WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE AND I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO IS TRYING TO JUGGLE LIFE WITH LAW SCHOOL.
Other law schools would not have this much diversity. WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
You came out prepared for both taking the bar and understanding the law. WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
MY PROFESSORS WERE DEFINITELY THE BEST THING. SO EXPERIENCED, KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND DEDICATED TO OUR LEARNING. WMU-COOLEY ALUMNI
OUR PROFESSORS CARE SO MUCH ABOUT US SUCCEEDING, AND EVEN BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.
”
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT LANSING CAMPUS
WMU-COOLEY STUDENT TAMPA BAY CAMPUS
THEY EMPHASIZE AND REQUIRE INTERNSHIPS AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.
Besides receiving a great education and preparation for the bar, I met amazing people.
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
WMU-COOLEY GRADUATE
MICHIGAN | FLORIDA
WMU-COOLEY LAW SCHOOL | 300 S. CAPITOL AVE. | LANSING, MI 48933 | (517) 371-5140, EXT. 2244 | WMICH.EDU/LAW