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.