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OCTOBER  2019

Lots of news this fall to share, especially the outstanding work alumni, faculty and students are doing to find social justice. Enjoy going through the stories and news below. Also, in the next few weeks, the Alumni Relations Office will be conducting a short e-survey to get input from you. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and opinions. We appreciate hearing from you. Sincerely, Sheila Lake, Alumni Outreach Committee Chair 
Awaiting release of LeDura Watkins after being wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 42 years.

Over $1 million in grant support  

The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project not only was the recipient of one federal grant in support of the vital work being done by the clinic, but ultimately received four total federal grants this year to continue to right the wrongs in our criminal justice system. The Michigan Department of Attorney General and WMU-Cooley Law School's Innocence Project teamed up to receive two federal grants totaling more than $1 million to assist in reviewing 600 post-conviction claims of innocence. 
 
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opioid epidemic awareness event

Nearly everyone knows someone who is either personally struggling with Opioid addiction or has a family member or friend who is struggling with addiction. Many joined the conversation on October 24, attending the Chasing Hope: An Opioid Awareness Program at the law school's Auburn Hills campus, including WMU-Cooley student Giuliana Allevato who shared the heartbreaking struggle of her sister and her son, and how it has impacted her and her family.  
 
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WMU-Cooley student Giuliana Alleveto

Human Trafficking 
Human Trafficking event

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Alan Wilkett recently visited WMU-Cooley Law School Tampa Bay campus to speak with students about the effects of human trafficking in the Tampa Bay region.The discussion, hosted by WMU-Cooley’s Tampa Bay Help Save the Next Girl (HSNG) chapter, was held on Thursday, Oct. 17.
KNOW THE SIGNS

BE part of change
WMU-Cooley student Amanda Burch

According to WMU-Cooley Law School student Amanda Burch, being an attorney you "can help individuals in many different ways." But she also felt she could do more to give back by becoming part of the legal system. She thought, in order to make change, "you have to be part of the legal system in order to be that change."
AMANDA BURCH STORY

MENTAL HEALTH aWARENESS 

Attorney and law student wellness was the topic of the conversation at a panel discussion on the Tampa Bay campus of WMU-Cooley Law School. The Black Law Students Association hosted a mental health awareness panel discussion on Thursday, Oct. 17. Each panelist shared winning strategies they have found in their own efforts to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
HEALTHY STRATEGIES
Wellness Panel
Kate Barnaby

KATE BARNABY: THE RIPPLE EFFECT

According to Barnaby everything you do makes a difference and there is a ripple effect, especially as an attorney when you are responsible for legal matters that can really impact clients. She takes her responsibility as an attorney seriously and knows that success depends entirely on your ability to keep going, no matter what. 
KNOW THE OHIO PRINCIPLE

GRADUATES HONORED 

During the State Bar of Michigan’s annual meeting, WMU-Cooley Law School Board Chair Lawrence P. Nolan was presented with the Roberts P. Hudson Award, graduate Mary Chartier was presented the Michael C. Franck Award and graduates Aaron V. Burrell and Chelsea Rebeck were sworn in as SBM Representative Assembly chair and vice chair.
STATE BAR AWARDS

JOIN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Join the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association and reap the benefits of a worldwide network of 20,000+ colleagues, experts and friends. Annual dues are $35, a three-year membership is $100, and a lifetime membership costs $350 and includes a specially crafted gold-enameled lapel pin. 
JOIN TODAY

read our official blog

Want to read more stories about your fellow graduates? We share your stories on the official law school blog page. 
VISIT THE BLOG

the latest news

Keep up with all the news coming out of WMU-Cooley by visiting the law school's What's New page on our website! 
WHAT'S NEW

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