Statement from Cooley Law School Board of Directors Chairman Mitchell Zajac on the passing of former president and dean, Don LeDuc:
On behalf of Cooley Law School, and the Cooley Law School Board of Directors, it is with solemn respect that the Cooley Law School Community acknowledges the passing of Don LeDuc, our former President and Dean.
Don LeDuc's tenure at Cooley Law School spanned five decades, beginning as a professor in 1975. He served as dean from 1982 to 1987 and again from 1996 until 2018, also holding the position of president from 2002 until 2018. He returned to the faculty after his retirement from the deanship and presidency in 2018. Under his leadership, Cooley experienced significant growth, becoming the largest law school in the nation by 2010, and also graduated thousands of attorneys now practicing across the country and world—myself included.
LeDuc was a staunch advocate for broadening access to legal education. He believed in providing opportunities to individuals from diverse backgrounds, challenging traditional notions of elitism within the legal profession. This commitment is evident in initiatives like the Cooley Innocence Project and the 60+ Elder Law Clinic. In 1996, he led the charge for Cooley to offer the first weekend program in legal education and then making Cooley the first law school to require all graduates to have an externship or clinical experience prior to graduation.
While his approach to legal education and the school's expansion drew attention from many in the legal community, there is no denying his profound impact on the institution, its students, and the practice of law. LeDuc's vision and dedication shaped the trajectory of Cooley Law School for years to come.
We extend our condolences to his family, colleagues, and all who were influenced by his work. May his contributions to legal education be remembered with respect and gratitude.
Mitchell S. Zajac
Chairman, Cooley Law School Board of Directors
