Beyond the Basics: Learning How to Practice Law in Cooley’s Innocence Project
When Reda Taleb (McLean Class, 2015) talks about “giving back,” she isn’t just reciting a slogan — she’s living by example. The daughter of immigrants from Bint Jbeil, Lebanon, Taleb’s parents, along with her six older siblings, laid roots in Dearborn’s south end, an area known for its pollution-emitting factory smoke stacks and community of Arab Americans seeking the “American Dream.”
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At Cooley Law School, we’ve spent years paying close attention to the consistent habits shared by our most successful students, and we’ve compiled them here to help nourish the success of our future legal scholars. These are the top ten habits we’ve identified in successful law students, with some key tips included to help manage the often overwhelming workload of legal education.

Lansing-based students, faculty, and staff live in the seat of state government and enjoy proximity to one of the nation’s most vibrant university communities.

Blog contributor Otto Stockmeyer is a Cooley Distinguished Professor Emeritus. He represented mid-Michigan lawyers on the State Bar Board of Commissioners and in the ABA House of Delegates. The following is based on his three-part series of articles profiling Lansing-area State Bar presidents, published in the Ingham County Bar Association newsletter, BRIEFS.

The Tampa Bay, Florida, area, located on the west coast of the “Sunshine State” near the Gulf of Mexico, is home to Cooley Law School’s campus in Riverview. The area is home to several sports teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL football team, the Tampa Bay Rays major league baseball team, and the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL hockey team. Between the beaches, the historic sites, and the sports, cuisine and nightlife choices, the Tampa Bay area is a vibrant location, steady in its growth and attractiveness to tourists and residents alike. Students also find a welcoming home here. In addition to Cooley, the area is also home to the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa.

So, you’ve decided to continue your education in beautiful Tampa Bay, Florida. Smart choice! If you’re new to the area, finding places to study may seem like a scavenger hunt. There are several quiet nooks and hidden hideouts in this lively coastal region, but here are five student favorites to jump-start the process.

If you’ve decided to pursue the noble profession of law, here are a few things Cooley graduate David Neef thinks you should know: