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.
Read More
Cooley Law School’s Board of Directors Chair Mitchell Zajac has been named to Crain’s Detroit Business 2025 Class of “40 Under 40,” which highlights CEOs, founders, innovators, community champions and others younger than 40 who are making significant impacts. Zajac will be recognized during a reception on Nov. 20 at The Department at Hudson’s in Detroit.
Judge David Hamilton (Hilligan Class, 2012) had dreams of becoming a big-time defense attorney when he started classes at Cooley Law School in the fall of 2009. But his mom, Rosalind, envisioned her son in a different career path – a life in public service. After his first year at Cooley, Hamilton proved her right.
As an attorney one for the Judiciary of Guam, Francesca Camacho (Scalia Class, 2024) hopes to someday be a trial prosecutor, advocating for the interests of justice and the people of Guam – something she’s been wanting to do since before law school.
The views expressed in this article are those of Samantha Hulliberger and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the United States Air Force. Samantha Hulliberger (Scalia Class, 2024) didn’t just stumble upon the idea of military service or the law — her path was shaped by a deep commitment to public service, family influence, and a pandemic that gave her time to reflect.
If you’re just beginning your law school journey, now is the perfect time to focus on the skills that will support you well beyond your first semester. Setting clear boundaries doesn’t make you less committed; it helps you build a healthy, sustainable path forward. When you communicate openly about what you can deliver and when, you set professional standards that will earn the trust of classmates, professors, and future colleagues. You’ll also discover that adaptability is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to law school. Every classroom, clinic, and workplace will challenge you in new ways. The ability to adjust, collaborate, and thrive in unfamiliar environments will not only shape your student experience but also prepare you for a successful legal career. For more guidance, read the American Bar Association’s article "Essential Soft Skills You Must Develop During Law School," co-authored by Cooley Law School Professor Matthew Marin and Cooley Student Katelyn Hearn. Their perspective offers practical insights that every new student should carry into their studies. Read the full article here: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_students/resources/student-lawyer/professional-development/essential-soft-skills-you-must-develop-during-law-school/.
“Direct violation of the Insurrection Act,” says Ret. Brigadier General Michael McDaniel, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense Strategy, Prevention and Mission Assurance at the Pentagon.
The Schurr Murder trial commenced on Monday, April 28, 2025, in connection to the officer involved shooting resulting in the death of Patrick Lyoya. Former Grand Rapids Police Department Officer Christopher Schurr encountered Lyoya during an April 2022 traffic stop. Cooley Law School Professors Lewis Langham, Tracey Brame and Tonya Krause-Phelan have offered expert analysis through each phase of the trial, from jury selection, to prosecution and defense case presentation, and jury deliberation.
On July 1, Russ Kavalhuna, J.D. (Gerald W. Boston Class, 2007), will take the reins as Western Michigan University’s (WMU) president. He will fill the position being vacated by Dr. Edward Montgomery who is retiring. Kavalhuna will be WMU’s 10th president and is currently president at Henry Ford College (HFC). He earned his bachelor's degree in aviation science from WMU and juris doctor from Cooley Law School. He and his wife, Courtney, have two children.
The Cooley Organization of Women Law Students (OWLS) hosted an International Women’s Day Event on March 11, 2025, featuring the Honorable Ana C. Viscomi, former Asbestos Special Master and current Superior Court Judge, as their keynote speaker.
