Nearly 800 Scouts from across the state of Michigan and including the upper peninsula participated Scout Day at the Capitol on June 15. During the annual event, members of both chambers of the state legislature had the opportunity to have lunch with Scouts.  Members of the House and Senate were presented with the annual Scout Report to the State. The Scouts were addressed by members of the state’s legislature. The keynote was presented by Cooley Law Professor and retired General Michael C.H. McDaniel, who is an Eagle Scout.

 

McDaniel joined the event’s emcee Jamie Callahan in thanking the legislators, Representatives Stephanie Young and Curt VanderWal, and Senators Paul Wojno and Mark Huizenga for attending Scout Day, while noting that they were currently deep in legislative session.

During his remarks, McDaniel said that the Scouts were at the Capitol to learn more about the legislative process. After briefly describing the three branches of government, McDaniel expounded on the Rule of Law, noting that it is not enough to say that no one is above the law. 

"It is more accurate to say that our laws apply equally to everyone,” said McDaniel. “When we say the law applies equally, we mean that our laws are enforced equally and fairly; we mean that our judges adjudicate the law equally and fairly; because 'fair and equal under the law' means that our government can show no favoritism or disregard based on rank, politics, how much money you have, skin color, ethnicity, or religion."

On March 18, students from WMU-Cooley Law School and Michigan State University College of Law came together for a friendly basketball competition.

“The game was put together to show love and support to our brothers and sisters at MSU following the shooting on Michigan State’s campus,” said WMU-Cooley student Samantha Hulliberger, who helped organize the game.

The game ended with an MSU victory 66-60. Beyond the score, the game raised $500, which will be donated to the MSU counseling department.

Pictured (left-right) are (front row)  Samantha Hulliberger, Hannah Murphy, (back row) Jordan Houston, Adam Salomon, Benjamin Baker, Jack Beeber, Luke Stehney, George Wilson, Alex Padla, Ben Waldman, Niko Spilson, Bret Bicoy, James Wubben, John Carley, Zach Cellelo, Eli Kunkle, Brooks Radino, Nick Taylor, Lakshay Kumar, Hassan Souwaidan, Zoryana Blunt

 

The Tax Section of the State Bar of Michigan recently awarded Cooley Law School graduate Jayson Thomas the Student Achievement Award during the 35th annual State Bar Tax Conference on May 25.   

Thomas, who graduated from Cooley in April, received the award based on his efforts to revive the law school’s Tax Law Society, recruit students interested in tax law to join the student organization and spearhead a Careers in Tax webinar. 

Pictured, from left, Cooley Law School graduate Josh Bemis and Jayson Thomas

WMU-Cooley Law School graduates, law students, administration, faculty, staff from the past and present, and friends of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School gathered on Saturday, June 17, to celebrate the law school’s 50th anniversary. The gala event took place at the Marriott East Lansing at University Place.

 

During the gala, members of the first three graduating classes were honored, as were Polly Brennan, widow of the late Thomas E. Brennan Sr., former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and founder of the law school; and Marylynn Curtis Bain, Cooley’s senior director of enrollment data systems.
 

The evening began with remarks from the Hon. Louise Alderson, retired judge of the Michigan 54B District Court and Cooley graduate who is chair of the law school’s board of directors. Alderson expressed her gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of the law school and to help look forward toward the future success of those who follow in the footsteps of the past and current law school leaders.

“I see so many familiar faces. Individuals with whom I shared the trials and tribulations of law school, as well as others with whom I have collaborated to strengthen and improve the legal system in the state of Michigan and in our country,” said Alderson. “Each and every person in this room has, in their own way, contributed to the impact our law school has made on legal education and the legal profession over the last five decades. Our graduates have gone on to become outstanding lawyers, judges, policymakers, and leaders in the profession and in their communities around the country and around the world,” Alderson continued.
 

Cooley President and Dean James McGrath joined Alderson to recognize members of Cooley’s first three graduating classes and present honorary alumnus status to Curtis Bain, and bestow an honorary Juris Doctor degree upon Polly Brennan.

While honoring members of the law school’s first three graduating classes, McGrath said, “It is only fitting that we begin our special recognitions with those graduates here tonight who were the very first students to pursue their legal education at Cooley.”

Those recognized from the first class, which started in January 1973 (Thomas M. Cooley Class) included: James Bonfiglio, Al Dalimonte, William Ferrigan, James Heos, Larry Nolan, Jerry Sutton, and Jeff Swartz.

Members of the law school’s second class (Campbell Class) included: Richard Ball, Douglas Dosson, John Fields, and Peter Kennedy.

Bernie Finn, member of Cooley’s Fletcher Class was also recognized. Members of the Fletcher class actually started as members of the first two classes, but modified their credit loads and finished as the school’s third graduating class.

For the first time in Cooley’s history, Curtis Bain was presented with an Honorary Alumni Award. Curtis Bain started working at the law school during its first year of operation in 1973.

“Marylynn wore so many hats during the critical early days and beyond,” said McGrath. “Over the years she has been a pillar of the institution. Her decades of service helped transform the school. She has seen the best of days as well as our challenging days. Her steadfast commitment, work ethic, and ‘get’er done’ approach is appreciated and valued.’’

McGrath noted that Curtis Bain has been instrumental in ensuring the student information systems, financial aid systems, enrollment systems, and exam administration systems are running effectively.

While presenting Polly Brennan with the honorary Juris Doctor, McGrath said, “In the world of academia, one of the highest honors a college, school, or university can bestow is an honorary degree. She (Brennan) is one person, other than Judge Brennan, who is truly responsible for the establishment, formation, and launching of the law school.”

The resolution conferring the degree upon Brennan noted, “Her tireless devotion to the success of not only the school but also of those students who sought to pursue their dreams of becoming an attorney proved instrumental in the law school becoming an accredited institution with a proud legacy of ensuring broad access to legal education. And Whereas, in serving as the law school’s first employee, Mrs. Brennan provided leadership and adept administrative skill in numerous roles and capacities that would eventually require multiple individuals to complete. 

In the process, she helped establish a culture centered on personalized attention and exceptional service and one in which each individual is valued and appreciated for the role they played in the success of the overall institution. 

“And Whereas, Mrs. Brennan has, throughout her life, demonstrated a ceaseless commitment to the high moral character and values expected of students and graduates of Thomas M. Cooley Law School and those who devote themselves to the practice of law. 

“She has served as a role model and matriarch within her family, within Cooley Law School, and in the broader community.”

McGrath concluded by saying, “Mrs. Brennan, thank you for all that you have done for Cooley over the last 50 years, and for helping launch the legal careers of more than 21,000 graduates.”

ENJOY THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY GALA WEEKEND VIDEO AND PHOTO ALBUM!

Cooley Law School’s Sixty Plus, Inc., Elderlaw Clinic, an estate planning clinic, is partnering with the Ingham County Treasurer, Ingham County Probate Court, and Ingham County Register of Deeds to host an estate planning seminars throughout the county. The seminars began in August and will continue throughout the rest of 2023.

The free seminars provide opportunities for attendees to learn and discuss how to navigate probate court, plan for future needs, and protect their property for their family in the future.

Cooley student attorneys, who are accepted to work in the Sixty Plus clinic, interview, counsel, represent, and draft estate planning documents for clients age 60 and older. They are closely supervised by the clinic faculty and proceed on behalf of clients drafting a variety of estate planning documents, including wills, power of attorney for health care, durable power of attorney for finances, and enhanced life estate deeds.

During a media briefing on October 5, Ingham County Treasurer Alan Fox said that often individuals build wealth through homeownership, which leads to intergenerational wealth. He noted that often properties end up in foreclosure because homeowners have not put an estate plan in place.

“None of us think we're going to die and we all think we'll put our estate planning needs off until a later date,” said Fox. “It is something that's a critical problem in a lot of foreclosures and this is why our office, in cooperation with the probate court, the registered deeds office, and Cooley’s Elderlaw Clinic, has put together a program that is aimed at getting people to take care of these sorts of issues.”

Dustin Foster, Director of Cooley’s Sixty Plus Inc., Elderlaw Clinic, notes that the law school’s clinic focuses on succession planning.  He says that it is important for individuals to create a plan while they are capable of doing.

“An estate plan includes designating someone to have legal authority to deal with your real property to ensure it's going to be handled in the way you want,” said Foster.  These plans include instructions or how to pass your property either through the probate process or outside of that probate process to the intended individuals.”

Expressing pride in the county-wide effort of raising awareness for the need of educating the public on estate planning,  Chief Probate Judge Shauna Dunnings said that it is important to create a program where our community’s senior citizens can receive legal advice without jumping through hoops.

“These events are an opportunity for Ingham County agencies to break down the silos, come together collaboratively and to demystify the process of ensuring that your real estate and property your most valuable asset transfers the way you like to have it transfer upon your passing or incapacitation.”

With estate planning documents being registered  with the county’s Register of Deeds office, often probate court issues can be avoided.

“We at the Register of Deeds office, we want to encourage folks to register your documents, so that the transition of secession is much smoother than what it currently is right now and you don’t have to go through the probate process,” said Derrick Quinney, Ingham County Register of Deeds, “We look forward to working with the residents of Ingham County to take advantage of this opportunities being presented during the estate planning seminars.”

Photo (left to right) is Ingham County Treasurer Alan Fox, Sixty Plus Inc. Director Professor Dustin Foster, Honorable Shauna Dunnings, and Ingham County Register of Deeds Derrick Quinney
 

A Cooley Law School student is the recipient of Plunkett Cooney’s inaugural diversity scholarship award. Frances Silney-Bah, a rising 3L at Cooley, received a $2,500 scholarship based on her submission to the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) essay program.

“I would like to thank Plunkett Cooney for voting my essay to the top amid strong competition and a rigorous selection process,” said Silney-Bah. “I believe that by continuing to invest in diverse law students, we will achieve equity in the profession.”

Plunkett Cooney’s scholarship program is an extension of the law firm’s DEI goals, which include attracting and retaining law school students from diverse backgrounds. To qualify, “diverse student” applications included, but were not limited to, based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, LGBTQIA+ identity, disability and neurodivergence.

The law firm’s essay review panel members were tasked with selecting finalists from a significant number of high-quality essays. When reviewing submissions, panel members considered the essays based on each author’s response to a prompt about life experiences, challenges, triumphs and/or background that influenced their career choice and impacted their approach to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion as they enter the legal profession.
Plunkett Cooney’s DEI Committee members help coordinate the firm’s related activities, which include a focus on recruitment, retention, training, mentoring and community involvement.

Each year, Plunkett Cooney supports numerous affinity groups, community organizations and law school student organizations that are focused on advancing DEI.

WMU-Cooley Law School recognized Pride Month with a virtual Community Conversation on Monday, June 5, featuring Preston Mitchum, an attorney, advocate, and activist for Black and LGBTQ+ rights. 

 

During the event, Mitchum, founder and CEO of PDM Consulting, a multi-purpose consulting firm focused on the power of Black people, LGBTQ+ people, and youth, spoke on the history of Pride Month, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and how law students and lawyers can take action in support of LGBTQ+. 

“Nothing is wrong with being a LGBTQ+ person,” said Mitchum, who is gay. “Something is wrong with how society responds. There are many LGBTQ people, even if they don't use that that terminology, who really want to be confident in who they are. But they understand just how ostracized, stigmatized, and criminalized LGBTQ people are. So, for some of them, they stay in this proverbial closet, and for many others, even when they do come out or invite people into their personal lives, they're still met with a stigmatic and oftentimes visceral responses, and so I find it very important to always start with nothing is wrong with being LGBTQ. The problem that we're solving for and the problem that's being identified is how society responds. How is that society responding to people? How do we create a braver or more safer spaces for people to show up and be fully authentic in who they are?”

Mitchum gave an overview of the Pride Month landscape, which started in 1970 – a year after the Stonewall Riot in New York City – by and with community as a protest specifically against decades of police violence and uprisings.

“Pride, in its purest form, was a riot,” he said. “It is, it was and it should always be recognized as a riot so we can also recognize the many assets associated with it and why that riot was necessary in the first place. It’s especially important that we recognize that not only is June a celebration regarding LGBTQ people, it is also a time that we recognize the last freed Black people in the United States and what we now know to be Juneteenth.”

Mitchum explained anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is being pushed at an alarming rate throughout the country with over 300 bills in 2022, and a record over 540 bills already in 2023. He went on to share the many ways lawyers, law students and the public can take action to support LGBTQ+ people, including youth: educate yourself, listen and learn from others, speak up against injustice, support marginalized communities and build coalitions. 

“One thing I do want to underscore is the importance of really challenging case law, the importance of really challenging what we see,” said Mitchum. “And it takes time. You don't just take a case to court because you're angry. There are decades of jurisprudence. You have to review it, research it, figure out what makes sense. Is this the right court? Is this the right circuit? There are a lot of dynamics at play so you don't do decades-long of damage. That is something I want to say to law students and legal professionals: challenge the profession, challenge the law, and be very mindful and thoughtful who could be negatively impacted if you don’t.”

With over 10 years of legal and policy experience, Mitchum has served nonprofit organizations in a variety of leadership roles to help bring out the voices of historically oppressed audiences, including director of Federal Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project; URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity; Advocates for Youth; the Center for Health and Gender Equity; Center for American Progress; and the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health. Additionally, he has served as an adjunct professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center and American University Washington College of Law, where he taught LGBTQ Health Law and Policy, and Sexuality, Gender Identity, and the Law, respectively. 

On March 9, an honors convocation was held for students at WMU-Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus who will be graduating  following the law school’s winter term.

Eric Hall, Tyrone Laury, Elpiniki Roussos, Jessica Sivillo, and Sharon Woodbury 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 WMU-Cooley.

Additionally, Laury and Sivillo were presented with the Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award. The award is given to selected graduating students based on academic accomplishment, professionalism, and ethics, demonstrated leadership at WMU-Cooley, meaningful extracurricular activities, and post-graduation plans. The recipients are selected by the past presidents and executive committee of the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association. The recipients were presented a diploma frame from the law school.

Pictured: Tyrone Laury

Hall, originally from Detroit, Michigan, earned his bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University.  While at WMU-Cooley he chair of the Student Bar Association Diversity and Inclusion Committee, vice president for the Real Property, Probate &  Trust Law Student Association, treasurer of the law school’s Federal Bar Association, and a member of the Black Law Students Association.  Hall was also a member of the Moot Court team and the served as a student ambassador.

Originally from El Paso, Texas, Laury earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida.  While at WMU-Cooley, he served as president and secretary for the Black Law Students Association, served as president and vice president of the campus’ American Constitution Society, and was associate editor for the WMU-Cooley Law Review. He served chief justice and council member of the Moot Court’s executive team, and was a member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society  and the Federal Bar Association.

Roussos, who hales from Nassau, Bahamas, earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Central Florida. She served as parliamentarian, senator-at-large and was a member of the By-Law Committee for the Student Bar Association.  She was a staff writer for The Pillar, the law school’s student-run newsletter; and executive board member and membership chair of the Mock Trial Board.  Roussos was also a member of Real Property & Trust Law Student Association, the National Mock Trial Competition Team, and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.

Sivillo, from Mayfield Heights, Ohio, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University Tampa. She served as secretary for the Student Bar Association, vice president and secretary of the law school’s chapter of Help Save the Next Girl, and president and treasurer of the WMU-Cooley Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Sivillo was a member of the National Moot Court Team and the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Law School Affiliate.

Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Woodbury earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Regent University. While at WMU-Cooley, Woodbury served as president of the Christian Legal Society and of WMU-Cooley’s chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. She was a member of the law school’s chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and of the Black Law Students Association.

Four Cooley Law School students were honored as recipients of the 2024 Alumni Memorial Scholarship. Charles Bloomfield (Top left) of the Lansing campus, and Troy Conti (Bottom right), Kyndal Midkiff (Top right), and Sarah Tanner (Bottom left), of the Tampa Bay campus were awarded the scholarship based on their character and the potential to become an outstanding lawyer.

The Alumni Memorial Scholarship is funded by the yearly interest income generated from the principal balance of the Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund. Eligibility is limited to second-year and third-year students in good standing who have earned between 30 and 80 credit hours and who demonstrate good character as a future lawyer. Since establishing the scholarship in 1989, the Alumni Association has awarded more than $130,000 in scholarships through this award.

“On behalf of the Alumni Association Executive Committee, we congratulate these four Cooley Law School Alumni Memorial Scholarship recipients on their fine accomplishments and dedication to Cooley,” said Alumni Association President Bradley Merritt. “Charles Bloomfield of the Lansing campus, and Troy Conti, Kyndal Midkiff, and Sarah Tanner, of the Tampa Bay campus, have each displayed the strong values and commitment that exemplify this award. We look forward to following their accomplishments as they complete law school and enter the legal profession.”

On March 9, WMU-Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus held a convocation honoring students who will be graduating following the law school’s winter term.

The Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award was presented to Samira Montlouis. The award is given to selected graduating students based on academic accomplishment, professionalism, and ethics, demonstrated leadership at WMU-Cooley, meaningful extracurricular activities, and post-graduation plans. The recipients are selected by the past presidents and executive committee of the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association.  Recipients are presented a diploma frame from the law school.

Montlouis, who was originally from Detroit, Michigan, earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She served as executive articles editor for the WMU-Cooley Law Review, vice president of Moot Court, and mentorship chair for the Student Bar Association. She was a member of the Organization of Women’s Law Students, the Cooley Volunteer Corps, and Phi Delta Phi International Society. Montlouis was co-founder and vice president of WMU-Cooley’s Scribes-The American Society of Legal Writers chapter.

Pictured, left-right, Samira Montlouis and her son, Jalen Montlouis.

In addition to the Alumni Distinguished Student Award, Montlouis was presented with the Student Bar Association Distinguished Student Award; and the organization’s Fitzgerald Award, which recognizes a student who has shown a significant commitment towards the improvement of the school’s various organizations; and the Krinock Memorial Award, which recognizes a student who has risen above expectations and proven extreme loyalty to the law and the student body.

Miguel Cardenas was 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 WMU-Cooley.

Originally from Harrison Township, Michigan, Cardenas earned his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University,  While at WMU-Cooley he was a member of Student Bar Association where he served as a senator and as academic chair. Cardenas served as treasurer of the Health Law Society and participated in Moot Court, Cooley’s Volunteer Corps, and as a member of the Organization of Women Law Students.