TROY, Mich. – Cooley Law School Distinguished Professor Emeritus Marla Mitchell-Cichon, along with two Cooley graduates, Amanda Barfield Fopma (2012, Marion Hilligan Class) and Valerie Anne Kutz-Otway (2010, Augustus B. Woodward Class), have been inducted into Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2024 Class of Influential Women of Law. The recognition ceremony was held on Sept. 27, at Petruzzello’s in Troy.

Each year, the Influential Women of Law program honors 35 women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of the justice system and for their clients, their commitment to their communities, and their service to the profession.

In addition to teaching professional responsibility at Cooley, Mitchell-Cichon served as director of Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project, which she currently serves of counsel. Before joining academia, Mitchell-Cichon served as a public defender for two years in Stark County, Ohio. In this role, she practiced extensively in criminal and poverty law. She has litigated cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Ohio Supreme Court, the Michigan Supreme Court, and trial and appellate courts in both Ohio and Michigan, and worked on legislative reform to improve the criminal justice system.

“It is an honor to see Marla’s achievements recognized,” said Cooley Law School Associate Dean Tracey Brame, who also serves as director of the law school’s Innocence Project. “Marla has dedicated much of legal career fighting for the release of Michigan’s wrongfully incarcerated and making sure those individuals are provided with proper compensation. Her impact is felt throughout the legal community and at Cooley Law School.”

Fopma, who earned two master of law degrees at Cooley, is executive managing partner at Secrest Wardle in Grand Rapids. As the first female to hold the position, Fopma provides representation for regional and national insurers in matters involving insurance claims and liability issues. Fompa is a member of the firm’s general negligence, insurance coverage, premises liability, property, fire and casualty practice groups.

Kutz-Otway practices with Chalgian & Tripp Law Office in Saginaw. She focuses her practice in the areas of probate litigation and estate planning, with a special emphasis on assisting persons with disabilities or mental illness. She is also the inclusion and lawyer development director for the firm. Kutz-Otway recently obtained her license to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. She serves on the board of directors for HIS Restoration Ministries, an organization that supports homeless expectant mothers.

 

Cooley Law School was founded on a mission of equal access to a legal education and offers admission to a diverse group of qualified applicants across the country. 

Since the law school's founding in 1972, Cooley has provided a modern legal education to more than 21,000 graduates, teaching the practical skills necessary for a seamless transition from academia to the real world. An independent, non-profit law school, accredited by both the American Bar Association and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Cooley holds classes year-round at its Michigan and Florida campuses.

 

LANSING, Mich. – The Student Bar Association at Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus held its 34th annual Barristers’ Ball on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Cadillac Room in Lansing.

The Barristers’ Ball is an opportunity for students and legal professionals to network and socialize with others from the community. Nearly 150 law students, faculty, staff, attorneys and business leaders attended the casino-themed formal black-tie optional event.

Cooley’s Lansing campus incoming class includes 34 percent minority enrollment and 33 percent of students are coming from outside of Michigan. 

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Cooley Law School was founded on a mission of equal access to a legal education and offers admission to a diverse group of qualified applicants across the country. 

Since the law school's founding in 1972, Cooley has provided a modern legal education to more than 21,000 graduates, teaching the practical skills necessary for a seamless transition from academia to the real world. An independent, non-profit law school, accredited by both the American Bar Association and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Cooley holds classes year-round at its Michigan and Florida campuses.

Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Judge Nicholas Nazaretian was the featured presenter and spoke to the new law students about integrity, professionalism, and ethics, and administered the Cooley Honor Code Oath. 

“As you navigate through your law school career, you will notice going through a transition to becoming lawyer,” said Nazaretian. “Part of that transition will be the ethical aspects of your new career, and the importance of civility and professionalism. Your reputation is essential to being successful as an attorney. You will work years to earn it and it takes just minutes to burn it. You will be challenged in your careers; you will see other attorneys acting unethically and maybe getting ahead. Don’t follow that lead. Once you start down that slope, your doomed. It is easy to be ethical when everyone is watching, the true test will be when you’re alone  and maybe no one will find out – except there is always one person that knows. Who? You.”

Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus incoming class includes 57 percent minority enrollment and 27 percent of students are coming from outside of Florida. 

Cooley Law School Distinguished Professor Emeritus Marla Mitchell-Cichon, along with two Cooley graduates, have been selected to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2024 Class of Influential Women of the Law.  A recognition ceremony will be held on  Sept. 27, at Petruzzello’s in Troy. 

Each year, the Women of the Law program honors 35 women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of the justice system and for their clients, their commitment to their communities, and their service to the profession.

In addition to teaching professional responsibility at Cooley, Mitchell-Cichon served as director of Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project, which she currently serves as counsel.  Before joining the academia profession, Mitchell-Cichon served as a public defender for two years in Stark County, Ohio. In this role, she practiced extensively in criminal and poverty law. She has litigated cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Ohio Supreme Court, the Michigan Supreme Court, and trial and appellate courts in both Ohio and Michigan, and worked on legislative reform to improve the criminal justice system.

In addition to Mitchell-Cichon, Cooley graduates Amanda Barfield Fopma (2012, Marion Hilligan Class) executive partner at Secrest Wardle in Grand Rapids; and Valerie Anne Kutz-Otway (2010, Augustus B. Woodward Class), managing attorney at  Chalgian & Tripp Law Office in Saginaw will be recognized during a recognition ceremony on  Sept. 27, at Petruzzello’s in Troy.

Five Cooley Law School professors participated in the Legal Writing Institute Biennial Conference at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 17-20. The 21st Biennial Conference theme, “The Best Is Yet to Come,” focused on exploring how legal writing professors and their students can grow in the future.

Cooley professors Brad Charles, Mark Cooney, Barbara Anna Kalinowski, and Matt Marin participated in several sessions throughout the four-day conference, while Distinguished Professor Emeritus Joseph Kimble was recognized by the Legal Writing Institute Board of Directors as the 2024 recipient of the Golden Pen Award. 

 

“Joseph Kimble's commitment to promoting plain language in legal writing has been extraordinary, with a global impact that has helped countless people understand their rights and duties,” stated the LWI Board. “Although the Golden Pen Award is usually given to someone who is not a member of the LWI community, Joe's remarkable achievements and unique contributions transcend legal writing academics, warranting this special recognition."

Kimble taught legal writing at Cooley for 30 years. He has been the editor of the Plain Language column in the Michigan Bar Journal for 36 years, and published the second edition of his book Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please: The Case for Plain Language in Business, Government, and Law. He also served as drafting consultant on the projects to rewrite the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Evidence, and Bankruptcy Procedure, as well as the Michigan Rules of Evidence.

“Joe’s advocacy for the fair treatment of legal-writing professors has set a precedent by convincing his school to put writing faculty on tenure track, leading to broader recognition and equality for legal-writing professionals,” the LWI Board stated. “This groundbreaking work has helped other legal-writing professors fight for their rights. Overall, Joe's relentless dedication and significant contributions to plain language and legal-writing education make him an exemplary recipient of the Golden Pen Award.”

Additionally, Charles,  a professor at Cooley’s Lansing campus, served as a mentor in a conference session designed to help new writing professors learn to give informative student feedback. Charles teaches Research & Writing, Advocacy, and International Advocacy.  

Cooney chairs Cooley’s Research & Writing Department and teaches Research & Writing, Advocacy, Drafting, and Scholarly

 

 Writing. He presented “There’s a Hole in the Safety Net: How Legalese Jeopardizes Enforceability” and participated in a scholarship mentoring session. 

Kalinowski, a professor at Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus, serves as the faculty advisor to the Tampa campus Moot Court Board. While at Cooley, she has taught Research and Writing, Advocacy, Advanced Writing, Appellate Advocacy, and Evidence. 

Marin, director of Academic Support Services, co-presented, “The Power of Words: Achieving Inclusivity in Legal Language.” He teaches Contracts & Torts and oversees Cooley’s dean’s fellows peer-education program.

On July 25, Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay and Lansing campuses recognized students for their achievements during an honors convocation. 

 

Hope Teachout from Cooley’s Lansing campus and Michelle Guzman from Cooley’s Tampa campus were each presented with the Leadership Achievement Award, which acknowledges those students who have consistently, comprehensively, and effectively provided leadership in a variety of capacities. The award is intended to be the culmination of the recipient’s participation in leadership activities at Cooley. 

Teachout, from Battle Creek, Mich., received her Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. While at Cooley, she has participated in several student organizations, including executive notes editor for Cooley Law Review, executive board member of Student Bar Association, Student Bar Association senator, vice president of the International Law Society, and member of the Organization of Women Law Students. During the honors convocation, Teachout was also honored by the Lansing Student Bar Association and received its SBA Distinguished Student Award, the Fitzgerald Award, and the Robert E. Krinock Award. 

 

Guzman, from Wiamauma, Fla., earned a Master of Science degree in cybersecurity technology from the University of Maryland, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Ponitifical Catholic University, and an associate’s degree in applied science information technology from the Community College of Air Force. While at Cooley, she has served as Student Bar Association senator, Diversity and Inclusion chair, and Hispanic Legal Advocates president. Additionally, she has been involved in the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association, Mock Trial, Bay Area Legal Services, and Enterprising Latinas Inc. Guzman is also the recipient of the National Association of Women Lawyers' 2024 Outstanding Law Student Award. 

Camille DeSumma, of Cooley’s Lansing campus, and Guzman received the Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award. This award is given to selected graduating students based on academic accomplishments, professionalism and ethics, leadership, extracurricular activities, and post-graduation plans. The recipients are selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee of the Cooley Alumni Association. Recipients are presented a diploma frame from the law school.

DeSumma, who is from Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, received a Bachelor of Science degree in social science in Political Science and Law from the University of Ottawa, and a certificate in human resource management from Algonquin College. While at Cooley, she has been an Organization of Women Law Students parliamentarian, in the 2022 Leadership Class for Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and a member of the Criminal Law Society, and Mock Trial. Additionally, DeSumma participated in the Cooley Law School Innocence Project Expungement Clinic, and received Certificate of Merit awards (highest score in class) in Torts I, Advanced Legal Methods, and Negotiation Skills. 

On Saturday, June 22, Cooley Law School Board of Directors elected Mitchell Zajac and Aaron Burrell as board chair and vice chair, respectively, as the Hon. Louise Alderson announced she has concluded her four-year term. Alderson, a retired 54A District Court judge, served her last official act as board chair during the board’s June 22 meeting.

Zajac and Burrell will assume their new roles effective July 1. Alderson will continue to serve on the board in a non-officer capacity.

“I am pleased to hand over the reins to Mitch and Aaron,” said Alderson. “They are both incredibly talented capable leaders who will continue to guide the board in its role of stewarding the school’s mission to prepare students to be agents for positive change in their communities and our profession.”
 

Alderson, a 1986 Cooley graduate, has served on Cooley’s board for 20 years. After being elected to Cooley’s board in 2005, she then served as vice-chair for eight years from 2012 until she was elected chair in 2020. 

“These past four years included an incredible amount of change and were a pivotal period in the school’s history,” said Cooley Law School President and Dean James McGrath. “From my transition as the new president and dean to facing the COVID-19 pandemic, and developing our new strategic plan, we are incredibly grateful for Judge Alderson’s steadfast leadership through it all.

“The transition in board leadership comes at an opportune time,” said McGrath. “This academic year saw the incorporation of our revised curriculum and we just recently launched our new branding campaign emphasizing the school’s proud tradition as an innovator in legal education and celebrating our diverse, inclusive community that focuses on preparing students to be confident, future-ready attorneys.”

 

Zajac, a 2017 Cooley graduate, is a shareholder with Butzel Attorneys and Counselors in the firm’s Detroit office where he works in automotive, intellectual property, regulatory and emissions compliance, and sports and entertainment law. He is also a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Zajac joined Cooley’s Board of Directors in 2020 and was elected vice-chair in 2022.

“I am honored that my fellow board members entrusted me to serve as Cooley Law School board chair as we continue our work implementing effective strategies to respond to the ABA’s abrupt change in its bar pass standard while also moving forward with curriculum that focuses on blending traditional legal principles with leading-edge practices that prepare students to navigate complex, ever-changing legal landscapes with confidence,” said Zajac. “As we look ahead, Cooley Law School remains committed to its founding principles and is taking the next steps to yet again boldly transform legal education. Cooley is preparing future-ready lawyers through enhanced teaching and learning practices, expansive experiential learning opportunities, and investments in programs to ensure that a legal education remains affordable and accessible to all those who commit themselves to achieving high standards of professional excellence.”

 

Burrell, a 2010 Cooley graduate, is a litigation attorney at Dickinson Wright’s Detroit and Troy offices, focusing on complex commercial litigation, appellate law, labor and employment law, and minority business enterprises. He also serves as co-chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and co-chair of Litigation Training. Burrell was first appointed to Cooley’s Board of Directors in 2019. 

“I am humbled to serve Cooley as it writes its next chapter and builds upon its legacy of providing students of all backgrounds access to an outstanding legal education,” said Burrell. “I look forward to serving as the board’s vice chair alongside Mitch and the other esteemed board members as we work together to maintain Cooley’s high level of excellence in shaping the next generation of lawyers.”

RIVERVIEW, FLA. and LANSING, MI. — On Nov 21, Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay and Lansing campuses recognized students for their achievements during an honors convocation.

Carter Lewis and Evan Sisk from Cooley’s Lansing campus were each presented with the Leadership Achievement Award, which acknowledges those students who have consistently, comprehensively, and effectively provided leadership in a variety of capacities. The award is intended to be the culmination of the recipient’s participation in leadership activities at Cooley. 

Lewis, from Grand Rapids, received his Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University. While at Cooley, he served as vice president of the International Law Society, treasurer of the Environmental Law Society, senator of the Student Bar Association, and was an active member of the Criminal Law Society.

Sisk, from Tawas City, received a Bachelor of Science from Ferris State University. While at Cooley, he served on the Student Bar Association executive board, was the academic chair for the Environmental Law Society, and associate editor for Law Review.

Mary McCabe and Evan Sisk of Cooley’s Lansing campus, and Kristani DaCosta and

Safa Kudia from Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus received the Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award. This award is given to selected graduating students based on academic accomplishments, professionalism and ethics, leadership, extracurricular activities, and post-graduation plans. The recipients are selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee of the Cooley Alumni Association. Recipients are presented a diploma frame from the law school.

Carter Lewis (left) and Evan Sisk from Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus were each presented with the Leadership Achievement Award during an honors convocation ceremony on Nov. 21, 2024.

 

 

 

Mary McCabe and Evan Sisk of Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus received the Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award during an honors convocation ceremony on Nov. 21, 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

Safa Kudia (left) and Kristani DaCosta from Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus received the Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award during an honors convocation ceremony on Nov. 21, 2024.

 

Cooley Law School was founded on a mission of equal access to a legal education and offers admission to a diverse group of qualified applicants across the country. 

Since the law school's founding in 1972, Cooley has provided a modern legal education to more than 21,000 graduates, teaching the practical skills necessary for a seamless transition from academia to the real world. An independent, non-profit law school, accredited by both the American Bar Association and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Cooley holds classes year-round at its Michigan and Florida campuses.

 

LANSING, Mich. RIVERVIEW, Fla. – On November 14, Cooley Law School’s Kimble Center for Legal Drafting hosted a webinar that drew viewers from Poland, Nigeria, Canada, the UK, and throughout the US. The webinar—“Clear Legal Writing: New Resources, Technology, and Cases”—focused on various aspects of legal writing in plain language. It was cosponsored by Clarity, an international organization devoted to clear legal writing. 

Professor Emeritus Joseph Kimble presented first, sharing details about his new (free) online book, Essentials for Drafting Clear Legal Rules, which he coauthored with Bryan Garner. The book reflects Kimble’s and Garner’s decades of work restyling the rules that govern all federal cases and that judges and lawyers use every day across the country. It offers concrete instruction, with abundant examples, for all forms of drafting.

Ivy B. Grey, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer of WordRake editing software, spoke second. She discussed how properly using writing technology can reinforce substantive legal writing skills and make it easier to revise and reorganize text. 

Professor Mark Cooney spoke last, presenting his research on cases in which courts have refused to enforce legal documents that were difficult to understand because of legalese and poor design. 

The Kimble Center’s mission is to produce and make available—to attorneys and consumers—legal documents that are clear and easily understandable, documents unlike anything that the public is used to seeing from attorneys. More information about the Kimble Center is available at www.cooley.edu/academics/kimble-center-writing.

 

Cooley Law School was founded on a mission of equal access to a legal education and offers admission to a diverse group of qualified applicants across the country. 

Since the law school's founding in 1972, Cooley has provided a modern legal education to more than 21,000 graduates, teaching the practical skills necessary for a seamless transition from academia to the real world. An independent, non-profit law school, accredited by both the American Bar Association and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Cooley holds classes year-round at its Michigan and Florida campuses.

New students in Cooley Law School's evening and weekend programs attended orientation on January 3-5, 2025. Orientation included new students at Cooley's Lansing and Tampa Bay campuses to welcome the Dorean Koenig class to the Hilary (January) Semester.

During orientation, a sitting judge administered the professionalism oath, which required students to follow Cooley's Honor Code, the official guide to student conduct and behavior while in law school. In Lansing, Honorable Anthony Flores, 54-A District Court Judge – Ingham County, delivered the professional oath. In Tampa Bay, Honorable Nick Nazarian – 13th Judicial Circuit Court – Hillsborough County, delivered the professionalism oath.

New students also attended discussions with current students for advice for preparing for classes, learning and studying tips and techniques, and how to fully engage in the law school experience.  Other sessions included "Introduction & Learning Techniques" with James McGrath, President and Dean, and Tonya Krause-Phelan, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, "Preparing for Class with Dean’s Fellows," "How and Why to Read and Brief Cases," and a Pinning Ceremony to honor incoming students and welcome them into the profession and study of law. The pinning signifies their professional persona as a lawyer in training.

Students starting in January at Cooley Law School attend classes Monday through Friday during the evenings in Tampa and the weekend/blended program in Lansing.