TAMPA BAY, Fla. – The American Bar Association’s Pipeline Council has awarded Cooley Law School Professor Joseline Jean-Louis Hardrick and her nonprofit, Journey to Esquire® Scholarship & Leadership Program, with the 2026 Alexander Rising Star Award.
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Erin Geschwendt’s law school path would challenge the heartiest of souls. Several years ago, the young wife and mother enrolled at the Cooley Law School's Grand Rapids campus. At the beginning of her third semester, she lost her beloved father, and found herself trying to run his business, wrap up his estate, deal with her grief and be a good mom and wife, all while continuing to attend law school.
Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School today marks the fifth anniversary of signing affiliation and licensing agreements that brought it under the umbrella of Western Michigan University. On July 19, 2013, Law School President and Dean Don LeDuc and then-WMU President John Dunn signed the agreements setting the stage for the deep cooperation and collaboration that has resulted in more than 200 joint initiatives. There are plenty of reasons to celebrate, but here are what we think are the top five.
If you want to be a part of any kind of movement, you have to be at the table when policy change is being discussed and when decisions are being made. Not surprisingly, over the past 40-plus years, we have seen our share of Cooley graduates take on leadership roles, at every level.
Having graduated WMU-Cooley 41 years ago I was given the opportunity to engage in a successful Securities, Oil and Gas, and Business practice, as well as partner in two successful businesses. Admission was easy compared to other law schools, but staying in was a challenge. A somewhat different standard than most law schools where admission is difficult but staying in was almost guaranteed. WMU-Cooley was better suited to prepare one for the real world practice of law, as well as other endeavors. You receive the same privilege to practice as one graduating from any other school. Every graduate has achieved much on their path to success. Here are some of the things I have done on my career journey:
Imagine being in business for yourself for almost 10 years and suddenly everything changes. New laws make it a very real possibility that your employees will become your boss. You could conceivably lose your company. You could lose your livelihood, your income, everything you have built. And the worst part is, due to a lack of education, your prospects are very limited.
Cooley graduate Matt Super not only overcame a head injury and PTSD to graduate from law school, he also managed to pass the bar on his first try. Read about Matt's journey in the Detroit Legal News story by Sheila Pursglove below.
Cooley graduate Elizabeth Joy Fossel, of counsel, Varnum Attorneys at Law, imparts words of wisdom and sage advice to new Cooley graduates during their commencement ceremony on May 20, 2018. Read excerpts from her keynote address and #FromWhereIStand story below.
When considering law schools, everyone has different hopes, expectations and needs. But one desire all potential students have in common is to be taught by great legal minds who put education first — people who are expert attorneys in good standing, who have already spent years in the legal trenches, and who are committed to preparing each and every student to be superior attorneys and outstanding citizens.
My legal success story is atypical, but nonetheless fully attributed to Cooley's thoughtful and practical approach to the legal profession as well as dedicated and knowledgeable faculty. Because of Cooley's networking events and skills courses, I was able to land a job right after graduation with a notable firm in Muskegon, Michigan.
