On Nov. 9, Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus held its fall term honors convocation recognizing students for their achievements.

Adam Ostrander and Hannah Murphy were 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 recipients’ participation in leadership activities at Cooley.

Ostrander was also presented with the Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award. The 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 past presidents and executive committee of the Cooley Alumni Association. Recipients are presented a diploma frame from the law school.

Originally from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Murphy earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida. While at Cooley she was a member of the Student Bar Association (SBA) where she served as secretary and as a member of the mentorship program. She also served as president of the Organization of Women Law Students (OWLS), American Bar Association Law Student Division Senator, executive publicity editor for the Cooley Law Review, and a member of the Health Law Society.

In addition to the Leadership Achievement Award, Murphy was honored with the Student Bar Association Robert E. Krinock Memorial Award for loyalty to the SBA and the student body through their dependable involvement and positive attitude; the SBA Fitzgerald Award for significant commitment towards the improvement of the school’s various student organizations; and the SBA Distinguished Student Award, which goes to an individual who dedicated their time at Cooley serving the student body through continuous dedication to the SBA.

Ostrander, who is originally from Marshall, Michigan, earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. He served as editor in chief of the Cooley Law Review, treasurer for Mock Trial, Student Bar Association Senator, and as a member of the Health Law Society and Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. Ostrander was part of the Moot Court National Team and Mock Trial competition winner.

On Tuesday, Jan. 17, WMU-Cooley Law School held its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration by hosting a virtual panel discussion. The event was open to the community and part of the law school’s Community Conversations series. Attorney and advocate Robyn McCoy was the keynote presenter for the event.

McCoy, who has received numerous awards for her commitment to social justice, has traveled extensively to promote equal justice for all people. She was mentored by first lady Michelle Obama. McCoy is a part-time lecturer at Eastern Michigan University and teaches the course “Law and the African American Experience.” She was a legislative assistant to State Representative Ronnie Peterson and is currently a partner with McCoy & Associates, PLLC located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She specializes in criminal defense, family law, education advocacy, estate planning, probate, wrongful death, and personal injury.

During her presentation, McCoy shared how she was raised Afrocentric and socially conscious, and has remained firmly rooted in her upbringing. She encouraged the audience to read about social justice issues, watch videos and visit museums.

“I believe that we're all put here for a purpose and that we can each play a part in solving the problems of the world,” said McCoy. “There are museums all over the nation. It's very important not just to read about the stuff and watch videos, but to also be a visual learner. Go see these places and activities to ensure a brighter future for ourselves and our children.”

McCoy explained how her experience working with first lady Michelle Obama inspired her to be a mentor to aspiring lawyers and law students.

“If you feel compelled in some way to be involved with social justice movements, just do what your heart compels you to do, and go from there,” said McCoy. “It's like an instant reward and if you're helping people to get a second chance; I think that is what it's all about – helping people.”

Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s Health Law Society awarded Attorney Joseph Rivet 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.

“We are pleased to present Attorney Rivet with the inaugural Health Lawyer of the Year Award,” said Angela Hammoud, president, WMU-Cooley Health Law Society. “We awarded Mr. Rivet as the Health Lawyer of the Year for his exceptional legal expertise, commitment to client advocacy, and demonstrated leadership in the health law industry.”

Rivet is founder of the  Rivet Health Law, PLC in Norton Shores, Michigan. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Administration from Baker College, and a J.D. from WMU-Cooley. His practice specializes in health care reimbursement, serves as an arbitrator through the American Health Law Association, and is an approved arbitrator for the State of Michigan for surprise billing. Rivet began his career in emergency medicine coding with expertise as a manager in varied health care provider and payor settings.

Rivet expressed his appreciation for being honored when accepting the award. He spoke on his tireless work to provide the best legal representation and making a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry. He advised the students in attendance to keep pushing towards their goals, and to believe in themselves even when things feel challenging.

Rivet was nominated by members of WMU-Cooley’s Health Law Society and members of the State Bar of Michigan Health Law Section.

“Joe is at the top of the list for his enthusiasm for and dedication to health care law,” said Mark Mosby, chief legal counsel for Fallon Community Health Plan, Inc, while nominating Rivet. “Another thing that distinguishes Joe form other health care lawyers I know is his long career in health care compliance before he became a lawyer.”

The WMU-Cooley Health Law Society promotes student awareness of health law careers, elevates awareness of health law, health policy, and health justice issues for both student and practicing attorneys. The organization helps nurture career opportunities for WMU-Cooley Students interested in health law careers.

Pictured (left-right) are WMU-Cooley Health Law Society board members Thomas McKee, Miguel Cardenas, Caroline Quandt, Angela Hammoud, Lakshay Kumar, Ramon Garcia.

WMU-Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus student chapter of the Florida State Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Section, (RPPTS) and the 10CORE® Law Society hosted the virtual forum “Redevelopment After Destruction for Tenants and Homeowners” on March 18. The two-part forum featured sessions for homeowners and tenants.

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated families living in Florida, particularly along its southwestern coast, causing many individuals to need access to recovery services. “The purpose of forums like this are to provide individuals with basic information about their rights before, during, and after the disaster,” said WMU-Cooley Professor Florise Neville-Ewell.

Pictured: Professor Florise Neville-Ewell

The forum was moderated by Neville-Ewell and RPPTS President Jacob Goss. Participating panelists who have experience in providing information on FEMA rights, filing insurance claims, and how to avoid being defrauded included Jason Fletcher, Fletcher Legal Group; John Lawless, disaster relief attorney, Bay Areal Legal Services; Julie Torrez, Law Office of Richard D. Saba; and Yveline Dalmacy, Eviction Defense Unit of Nassau Suffolk Law Services.

While sharing information about proper insurance coverage for those living in disaster-prone areas, Fletcher said, “It’s important to know what sort of protections you have in Florida when it comes to homeowner’s insurance.” He also spoke about the importance of preparedness prior to a disaster and how efforts in protecting your proper can help later. “If you can show the insurance companies what you did prior to the storm it is extremely important and helps when filing a claim.”

Lawless who spoke on what homeowners should do immediately to make sure they have easier access to disaster recovery services said, “It sounds like a basic thing, but it comes up often, make sure that you check to confirm if you own your home on your county’s appraisal site. If you see someone else’s name – including a family member – according to the county this belongs to the estate of that individual. You see this often with multigenerational homes or mobile homes.”

After a disaster happens, many individuals are faced with legal questions and concerns. Dalmacy, whose own home was destroyed during a disaster, explained that there are legal services to help individuals who face being evicted from their property because of damages that have been sustained.  Having also worked as a FEMA contractor, Dalmacy stated “when I go into somebody’s home, I tell them ‘I was once like you’  and let them know that they can rebuild; I bring them hope.”

While rebuilding many homeowners are victims of individuals who claim they can help in the recovery efforts and rebuilding their homes.

“We need to inquire and hire licensed contracts only, said Torrez. “Homeowners should require 3 bids when searching for any job.”

In addition to homeowners being faced with adversities from disaster, Neville-Ewell explained that tenants are also at risk.

“It’s also important for us to show them (tenants) how much we care by providing them with information before they are affected by a disaster,” said Neville-Ewell. 

Fletcher also shared that tenants need to realize that there are support mechanisms in place for them. “It’s important to get help and don’t just accept the denial of failure to cooperate because of forces outside of your control.”

Founded by WMU-Cooley Law School Professor Florise Neville-Ewell, the 10CORE® Law Society is a 501(c)(3) organization that has provided public outreach in Michigan, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and is also providing innovative housing literacy programs for youth through high schools and community colleges. Neville-Ewell teaches Property and Ethics and hosts the Housing Gap Podcast, a podcast dedicated to educating tenants and homeowners.

The full forum can be viewed on WMU-Cooley’s YouTube channel.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Department of Attorney General Chief Operating Officer Veneshia Cezil participated in a town hall discussion at WMU-Cooley Law School on March 20.

The AG Social Justice Townhall allowed an opportunity for those in attendance to network and learn about career opportunities, internships, externships and job shadowing with the AG’s office. During the event, Nessel and Cezil spoke about premier cases the department has handled and new initiatives that are being planned.

Pictured, from left: WMU-Cooley President and Dean James McGrath, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, and WMU-Cooley Professor and Assistant Dean Erika Breitfeld.

Nessel made a strong case for working in government and being a part of the change.

She talked about the many options a law degree opened in a career, like going into private practice or working in non-profit. She asserted that you can also work to fight the injustices in the world by running for office or working in an office like hers.  

“My staff regularly has the opportunity to bring matters to my attention and others,” stated Nessel. “Then we decide how the department can best use its resources to help the most people in the state.”

As an example, Nessel spoke about working with WMU-Cooley’s Innocence Project and her office’s efforts to start an expungement unit. 

“The most well-intentioned investigators and prosecutors get it wrong, and when that happens we shouldn’t just be resigned to say ‘well, I guess someone was convicted and sentenced to spend their entire life in prison,’” said Nessel. She explained how new evidence is important to changing the lives of those who have been wrongly convicted.

Nessel also shared the importance of the Expungement Unit. She said it is important to understand the significant impact that having a conviction on one’s record can have on their life.

“You have served your time. You have gone a lengthy period of time without any new convictions. It’s important to understand how that conviction plays like an anchor, and weighs down people for the rest of their life. It makes it hard to get a job, makes it hard to find a place to live, makes it difficult to get student loans, and people are literally held back in every way, shape and form to progress in life,” said Nessel. “We put together a division that does nothing other than expedite and process expungements for people with these convictions all over the state. We went from two years ago processing about 2,000 expungements, to about 14,000 the next year.”

While talking about her position with the AG’s office, Cezil, a WMU-Cooley graduate said, “I sat right here at the law school and I am here today to tell you ‘Don’t put yourself in a box.’ I was a litigator, that was my concentration. I still love it. When a staff member says that they can’t work on a case, I raise my hand as COO and say ‘I’ll cover it for you.’”

Cezil told law students to keep an open mind while attending law school and look for opportunities beyond what they believe they are looking for.

“I went to law school because I didn’t like numbers. As chief of operations I am now responsible for maintaining an over $100 million budget,” said Cezil. “When we talk about giving a voice to the voiceless, you are in such an excellent position because this is what your law degree and law license are going to do; you are going to be speaking on behalf of others.”

On Monday, Oct. 2, the Cooley Law School Innocence Project, in partnership with Warner Norcross + Judd LLP in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will recognize National Wrongful Conviction Day with a free panel discussion featuring Innocence Project exonerees. 

Panelists will include exonerees Kenneth Nixon, Gilbert Poole, George DeJesus, and his brother, Melvin DeJesus. Nixon and Poole were exonerated in 2021, while the DeJesus brothers were exonerated in 2022.

The event will be held from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Warner’s Grand Rapids office, 150 Ottawa Ave. NW. Seating is limited. Attendees must register in advance online.

“Our commitment to helping those wrongfully convicted has been and will continue to be the cornerstone of our work,” said Tracey Brame, director of Cooley Law School’s Innocence Project. “It is important we work within local communities to raise awareness for the estimated 975 innocent individuals who are locked up every year.”

Established in 2001, the Cooley Law School Innocence Project is the only post-conviction DNA innocence organization in the state. Since its inception, the office has screened over 6,000 cases and is responsible for the exoneration of eight individuals: Kenneth Wyniemko (2003), Nathaniel Hatchett (2008), Donya Davis (2014), LeDura Watkins (2017), Corey McCall (2021), Nixon, Poole and DeJesus. It also helped to exonerate Lacino Hamilton and Ramon Ward, both in 2020, and Terance Calhoun and Melvin DeJesus, both in 2022. 

“We are proud to host this event and support the work of Cooley's Innocence Project to create change and impact the lives of those our justice system has wronged,” said Warner Partner Christopher E. Tracy. “We look forward to the experiences and insights the panelists will share as we collectively strive to raise awareness and create a lasting impact on the lives of those who have been wrongly convicted.”

The project is staffed by Cooley Law School students, who work under the supervision of Cooley Innocence Project attorneys. Those interested in donating and supporting the work of the Cooley Innocence Project can DONATE HERE. 

In its 10th year, Wrongful Conviction Day began as an effort of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of organizations dedicated to providing pro-bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted, working to redress the causes of wrongful convictions and supporting the exonerated after they are freed. 

Registration for the free event on Oct. 2 is available ONLINE. Limited seating available. 

Cooley Law School’s Lansing Student Bar Association held its 33rd annual Barristers’ Ball on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Eli and Edy Broad Art Museum in East 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 “Old Hollywood”-themed formal black-tie optional event. All funds raised went back to the Cooley’s Student Bar Association in Lansing.

Pictured from left to right are: Ramon Garcia, Alex Siao, Norelle Miranda, Francesca Camacho, and Samantha
Hulliberger.

Pictured from left to right are: Sukayna Almusawi, Cooley Law School Professor Emily Horvath, and Elizabeth
Tobias.

Pictured from left to right are: Kristin Babbie, Ramon Garcia, Hannah Murphy, and Slade Stafford.

Noah and Juliana Bowers attend the 33rd annual Barristers’ Ball on Saturday, Sept. 30,
at the Eli and Edy Broad Art Museum in East Lansing. 

Cooley President James McGrath (right) enjoyed the 33rd annual Barristers’ Ball at the Eli and Edy Broad Art Museum with his family. 

On Friday, Oct. 27, Cooley Constitutional Law Professor Brendan Beery joined Kristina Bilowus, assistant director at MSU College of Law, and Delicia Taylor Coleman, president of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, as a panelist during Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s roundtable discussion Diversity Equity & Inclusion: The Future of Affirmative Action for Law Schools Beyond the Supreme Court’s Ruling.

During the session, panelists discussed the potential impact of the recent Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action and its potential impact and implications for law schools, firms, courts, and the legal profession as a whole. By a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court ruled that admissions programs used by the University of North Carolina and Harvard College violated the Constitution’s equal protection clause, which bars racial discrimination by government entities.

"In upholding an affirmative action program at University of Michigan Law School [in 2003], The Court, per Justice O'Connor, planted what I call an ink bomb in the opinion, saying that hopefully, in 25 years, these programs won't be necessary anymore,” said Beery. “So, it seems Justice O'Connor thought it would take 25 years to solve a 400-year problem. This was an obvious invitation for the court to revisit the issue, and the Court just took up that invitation."

The discussion also included steps for creating more inclusivity within small and mid-size firms and a question-and-answer session regarding best practices for allowing individuals to bring their whole selves to work considering the changing landscape in the field of law. 

In partnership with Cooley Law School, the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs met on Tuesday, Oct. 24, for a ceremony hosted on Cooley’s Lansing campus.

While the event celebrated the 10-year anniversary of MIDC, LARA Acting Director Marlon Brown also signed into action two additional minimum standards for representing indigent defendants, Standards 6 and 7.

Standard 6 limits an individual public defender to 150 felonies or 400 misdemeanor cases per year, so that attorneys have adequate time to prepare and effectively represent each client, while Standard 7 establishes a minimum standard of qualifications and review for public defenders consistent with the MIDC Act’s requirement that “defense counsel’s ability, training, and experience match the nature and complexity of the case to which he or she is appointed.”

The ceremony included remarks from Brown, MIDC Executive Director Kristen Staley, MIDC Chair Christine Green, Ingham County Judge Tom Boyd, and Cooley Associate Dean Tracey Brame. It also included LARA Deputy Director Adam Sandoval. Local defense attorneys and Cooley students filled the audience, with a Q&A portion of the ceremony offering insight to the new minimum standards.

“We are expanding the resources that are available to criminal defense attorneys,” said Green.

“We are very lucky to have some very courageous criminal defense attorneys in Michigan. Even before we had the standards and the funds with which to carry out the standards, we had some very brave folks who worked for practically nothing. Now we’re expanding the resources available and we’re helping to fill the enormous responsibility that the state has delegated to the local units of government.”

Before the signing, Brown added: “Today marks a significant milestone in the life of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission, and the work that they are doing. The work of the MIDC is vitally important, and it’s important because we all benefit from a justice system that provides a fair trial to every person facing criminal charges within this state.”

Brame, also the director of the Cooley Innocence Project, spoke on the significance of the standards in relation to her work with the Innocence Project.

“This work is, of course, important to any defendants across the state,” said Brame. “It’s particularly relevant to our work because the better representation our clients have at the trial level coming into the system, the less likely it is that they’ll be wrongfully convicted, and we won’t have to spend years trying to undo the wrongful convictions.”

“I believe the program is so important because there is a need in the community, and not only in the community but also statewide,” said Cooley student Jennel Davoren, who attended the event. “Programs like these are so extraordinary because they help to fill in some of the gaps within the legal system.”

“We’re finally getting to the place where we’ve always been supposed to be,” said Staley.

“There’s still work to do, but we’re in a much better place than we ever were before.”

Featured left to right, MIDC Executive Director Kristen Staley, Cooley Associate Dean Tracey Brame, Commission Chair Christine Green, Marlon Brown, LARA Deputy Director Adam Sandoval, and Judge Tom Boyd. Seated in the center, Acting Director of LARA Marlon Brown.
 

On January 16, Dr. Joseph H. Silver Sr., past president of Alabama State University, led Cooley Law School’s Community Conversation commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Silver, who is currently president of Silver and Associates, a full-service higher education consulting firm, discussed the meaning of the title of his presentation, “Maintaining the Vision of Freedom, Justice, and Equity,” and looked at reasons why it is difficult for our society to achieve those goals.

During the presentation, Silver tackled various systemic issues in relation to the celebration of Dr. King’s commemoration and challenged attendees to focus on what they can do as individuals.

“All over America, folk engage in the celebration of Martin Luther King Day, and the question I constantly ask myself is, ‘what happens the day after?’ If we truly celebrated what MLK stood for, we would not have the evening news full of mass killings, or young people killing each other. If we truly celebrated MLK day, we would not have abject poverty and the large number of homelessness that we see in this country,” said Silver. “We would not tolerate the white supremacy that we see existing in this country and the rampant voter suppression we see on a daily basis.”

Silver answered a number of questions and responded to comments from those in attendance including, unequal funding for law schools in the state of Alabama, how young people can act using the four pillars (equality, love, justice, and solidarity), and the inability for schools to consider race in college admissions.

“I think you guys are in a great position to address these issues,” said Silver. “You are students of the law, you are law professors, you are community lawyers, and you know the law. So, my challenge is, why not use that knowledge of the law that you have for good. Why don’t we begin to challenge what we know is wrong?”

Silver is the Chair of the Higher Education Committee for the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and serves as a mentor for the next generations of scholars and leaders in higher education, business, and in the community. He is the author of several publications in political science and higher education and is the immediate past chair of the Governing Council of the African University College of Communication in Ghana, Africa. Silver is also chair of the International Board of Trustees of the Pan-African Heritage World Museum.

WATCH THE MLK DAY COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON YOUTUBE

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About Cooley Law School: 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.