Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Blog

Marine Corps veteran Joseph Garrido knew he needed to find a meaningful new civilian path when he left the military. At the time, though, he wasn't quite sure what path that would take. What he discovered was his calling pointed straight to his passion for helping veterans, especially those who were wounded during their time of service. 

As investigators continue to uncover evidence surrounding the two mass shootings this past weekend, WMU-Cooley Law School Associate Dean Michael C.H. McDaniel and former Deputy Assistant for Homeland Defense Strategy answers questions from law students and to members of the media regarding the investigation, current laws, and steps the government can take to protect citizens from domestic terrorism. 

WMU-Cooley Professor Gary Bauer considers his job an important one for those law students considering going solo. His years of business and marketing experience, alongside nearly 20 years of teaching experience, are invaluable in helping WMU-Cooley students learn to navigate the successful road to solo practice, or those considering a new career. Read Professor Bauer's April 25, 2019 SoloLawyerByDesign blog post below that explores a second career in the law after retirement. 

As a former U.S. Marine Staff Sgt., Victor Flores knows the meaning of commitment. As a WMU-Cooley Law School graduate and practicing attorney, he also thoroughly understands what it means to dedicate yourself to your goals. Now he offers advice to students, veterans and others considering law school and a legal career. 

    To say Victoria McCormick is dedicated to her country, her legal studies, and to service is to state the obvious. Not only did she work as a JAG Corps Paralegal Specialist for the Michigan Army National Guard, she worked as a paralegal for the Loomis Law Firm and WMU-Cooley's Innocence Project, all while attending law school at WMU-Cooley's Lansing campus.  She also, in her spare moments, re-chartered the Military Law Student Organization and presently serves on the WMU-Cooley Military Law Student Association committee.  But looking back, going to law school wasn't even on the radar when she was considering careers and planning her life. It just happened. And it changed her life. 

WMU-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.

Everyone faces times in life when they are put down, minimized, or demoralized. For most it’s a choice of take it to heart or let it roll off. For Ray Petty, those events were many and early on in life when he was just learning self-confidence. As a child he could have accepted comments that deemed him a poor reader, not smart enough, not tall enough, not fast enough.  He could have believed them instead of in himself. But Senior Airman Petty knew early on he had a mission. Today that mission is coming to fruition, thanks to an amazingly resilient character, and an amazingly resilient family.

Aspiring lawyers are often drawn to the law because it offers the opportunity to serve others, to make things right and to help those who cannot help themselves. But as law students become immersed in the rigors of their education, they sometimes find they are the ones who need a shoulder to lean on. At WMU-Cooley’s Tampa campus, that shoulder belongs to Willie Damon. Damon is a campus security guard who is “the face” of the law school every time you enter the facility. He started out at WMU-Cooley during construction and has been there ever since, welcoming new students, befriending those who need a listening ear, and wishing graduates well as they move forward in life. As the father of five daughters, a son and grandfather of 12, he’s a natural when it comes to giving.

Throughout its development and growth, WMU-Cooley Law School has been fortunate to engage the services of very gifted and dedicated adjunct (part-time) professors. Twenty years ago, the school initiated a way to honor one outstanding adjunct professor each year with an award recognizing them before their students and peers.

This blog features Q&A with former WMU-Cooley student Brien Brockway, a U.S. Army Veteran. He was a Fire Team Leader with the infantry in Afghanistan. After careful consideration, he decided to change careers to allow more time with his family. That decision led him to law school at WMU-Cooley, a military friendly and designated Yellow Ribbon School.