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APRIL 2023

DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Hilary Term 2023 is now in the record books!  

Bill ArnoldFor the Alumni Association, highlights included presenting the Distinguished Student Award to three graduating students (Tyrone Laury, Samira Montlouis, and Jessica Sivillo), awarding four Alumni Memorial Scholarships (Hannah Murphy, Carly Ovitt, Michala Ringquist, and Nikki Roussos), conducting an online alumni-student networking event, hosting the U.S. Supreme Court bar admission in D.C., and, capping it all off, welcoming the members of the Joseph McKenna Class to membership in the Alumni Association. 

There is still lots more to look forward to in the weeks and months ahead.  You'll find details on some of the upcoming opportunities in this edition of the Benchmark Column. I invite you to please join us for all or as many of these events as you can. 

Very truly, Bill Arnold, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations 

 
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50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION 

President and Dean James McGrath and the WMU-Cooley Board of Directors cordially invite all Cooley alumni and their guests to attend the WMU-Cooley 50th Anniversary Gala.

Saturday, June 17: Marriott East Lansing at University Place

Tickets: $100 per person /$175 per couple

Event Schedule:

  • 5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
  • 6:30 p.m. Dinner
  • 7:30 p.m. Program & Special Recognitions
RESERVE YOUR GALA TICKETS

WORDS OF WISDOM 

What do you know now that you wish you would have known while in law school? The WMU-Cooley Student Bar Associations invite Cooley alumni to share advice with current students. Please use the online form to share your “words of wisdom” and encouragement. 
SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS NOW
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REGISTER FOR THE COOLEY GOLF CLASSIC
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It's time to get your team registered for the 2023 Cooley Golf Classic!

Don’t have a team? That is okay. Register as an individual and we will match you with others to make a team.

Not able to attend? Consider supporting the event through one of the available sponsorship opportunities that start at just $300. 

Whichever way you are able to be involved, we hope you will be a part of this year's Cooley Golf Classic Tuesday, June 20, at Eagle Eye Golf Course.

With your help, we can continue the legacy of generosity with all proceeds going to support the WMU-Cooley student scholarship fund.  
REGISTER OR SPONSOR TODAY

LAW DAY - MAY 1, 2023
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Here is how you can participate in Law Day - Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, Collaboration on May 1, 2023:

STEP 1: Join the WMU-Cooley Law Day 2023 webinar featuring Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement. Monday, May 1, at noon (ET). Visit cooley.edu/lawday2023. You are invited to submit a Law Day-related question for Justice Clement in advance. Simply send it via email to alumni@cooley.edu. 

STEP 2: Identify your favorite on the WMU-Cooley Law School Clinic Page 

STEP 3: Make a gift of any amount to support that clinic! Every gift, even $25 helps us reach our goal of 1,000 donors and advances the life-changing work of our clinics. Give HERE! 

STEP 4: Share your own Law Day 2023 - Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration message on social media. #WMUCooleyLawDay 
 
MORE ON LAW DAY

ALUMNI FEATURE: Claire D. Vergara

Claire D. Vergara (2012 Ellsworth Class) was recently appointed to the executive board of the Michigan Asian-Pacific American Bar Association and was subsequently elected to serve as the board’s secretary. Vergara is an attorney in Plunkett Cooney’s Transportation Law and Medical Litigation practice groups.
READ MORE
CLAIREVERGARA
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U.S. SUPREME COURT SWEARING-IN

After a long three-year pandemic-induced delay, the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association was able to sponsor a United States Supreme Court group bar admission event. On March 28, nine WMU-Cooley alumni were admitted to the United States Supreme Court bar in an open court session.  If you would like to participate in a future U.S. Supreme Court group admission, please email alumni@cooley.edu.
 
From L to R - Back row: Lucas Smith-Marin (2015, McLean Class), Matthew Landry (2012 Washington Class), Matthew Smith-Marin (2013 Moore Class),  President & Dean McGrath, Tammy Browing-Smith (2000, Jay Class), Patrick Fuller (1985, Smith Class), Dalton Carty (2016, Hughes Class). Front Row: Sarah Anderson (2014, Livingston Class) Christina Jeter (2015, Trimble Class), Stephanie Walczak (2014, Todd Class)
FIND ALUMNI EVENTS HERE

COOLEY COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ON MAY 24 AT NOON 

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In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, join the WMU-Cooley Community Conversations virtual event on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at noon, with keynote speaker Mark Chang.  

Mr. Chang, a WMU-Cooley graduate, will reflect upon the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
SIGN UP FOR THE EVENT

50TH ANNIVERSARY GIVING CAMPAIGN 

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Help celebrate Cooley’s 50th anniversary, by making a gift to the annual giving campaign to support student scholarships, student bar preparation, or curriculum and instruction enhancements. 

Every gift, regardless of the amount, makes a difference. Together, members of the WMU-Cooley can affirm our continued commitment to producing the very best lawyers and leaders. 
MAKE YOUR GIFT

ALUMNI FOCUS

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The WMU-Cooley Health Law Society recognized Joseph Rivet, 2017 Vinson Class, as Health Lawyer of the Year during a ceremony on March 30. The award was presented in partnership with the State Bar of Michigan Health Law Section 
READ MORE

KEEP CONNECTED

The Law School's Advancement and Alumni Relations Office provides many valuable resources to the more than 21,000 graduates worldwide! We are here to facilitate your connection with the Law School and with your fellow alumni. Let us help you make the most of your alumni experience. Whether that involves planning an event, referring a case to a fellow graduate, or simply reconnecting with a classmate. We are here to assist you at alumni@cooley.edu.

You can also 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

CONNECT WITH US