admissions catalog - viewbook

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Cooley Law School.

Lead Today Lead Tomorrow

cooley.edu

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For 40 years, Cooley has led

the way in teaching people to

become outstanding lawyers.

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cooley.edu

WHY COOLEY2

CuRRICuLuM3

EXPERIENCED FACuLTY5

SKILLS TRAINING7

AFFORDAbILITY9

SCHOLARSHIPS10

ADMISSIONS12

SCHEDuLING OPTIONS13

OuTSTANDING FACILITIES15

VIbRANT COMMuNITIES18

ETHICS & PROFESSIONALISM19

Here Is Why You Should Enroll at Cooley

Wherever you see a QR Code,

scan it with your smart phone for

more information.

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Cooley has an excellent legal education

program, great faculty, dedicated and personable

staff, first-class facilities, and an award-winning

professionalism program – essential attributes

of every great law school.

Cooley has more scheduling options than any law

school in the nation. With five campuses, classes

that begin in January, May, and September, and part-

time day, evening, and weekend programs, attending

law school has never been more convenient.

Cooley is among the nation’s most affordable

private, independent law schools. Its low tuition

and generous scholarships keep your costs down.

Cooley Graduates Lead inGeneral Practice

Lawrence P. Nolan, President ofNolan, Thomsen & Villas, P.C.

Attorney Larry Nolan is President and Founder of

Nolan, Thomsen & Villas, P.C. formed in 1976.

Selected consistently as a Michigan Super Lawyer

over the years, Nolan has attained a high-degree

of peer recognition and professional achievement.

His firm's mission is to provide outstanding quality

legal services at affordable rates, all while deliver-

ing personal attention to clients' needs. Nolan is

Chairman of Cooley’s Board of Directors and also is

affiliated with and is on the board of numerous

professional organizations, associations, and clubs.

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Legal Program

Juris Doctor Curriculum Cooley’s curriculum is designed to help students master theknowledge, skills, and ethics needed for bar examinations, lawpractice, and further graduate study. Every Cooley student mustcomplete 90 credit hours, including 63 credit hours of requiredsubstantive and skills-based courses, plus 27 credit hours of electivecourses in one of several concentrations of study. The curriculumalso requires actual practice experience before graduating.

Graduate LL.M. Programs Cooley offers a broad array of graduate legal education programs.Students may earn an LL.M. degree in Intellectual Property Law,Tax Law, Corporate Law and Finance, Insurance Law, U.S. LegalStudies for Foreign Attorneys, or in a Self-directed Program.

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Cooley leads in legal education

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Section SectionΩ

Dual-Degree Programs Cooley has developed dual degree programs with several institutions of higher education, giving students the opportunityto earn the Juris Doctor degree and Master’s degrees in BusinessAdministration, Public Administration, and Social Work. Theseprograms allow students to apply credits earned in one degreeprogram to the completion of a second degree program, whichin the end saves time and money.

Foreign Study Students have the opportunity to enrich their legal education by studying in various locations around the world. Cooley offersprograms in Australia and New Zealand, and a summer session in Toronto. In addition, Cooley has participated in programs operated by other law schools in many diverse locations such as Oxford, Cambridge, London, Dublin, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona,Florence, Moscow, Cape Town, Shanghai and Tokyo.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

AUSTRALIA

TORONTO, CANADA

Cooley Students Lead inInitiative

Valerie Smulders, Founder of Smulders Law Office, PLLC

Steve “Two Pound” Forbes, International Boxing

Federation super featherweight champion,was

fielding offers for fights. And with the offers came

contracts – documents that led Forbes to seek

his wife Valerie Smulders’ advice. Smulders now

handles all of her husband Steve’s negotiations.

It sparked a passion, one that ended up being

her calling: Smulders decided to become a lawyer.

She now practices in the areas of Family Law, Estate

Planning, Real Estate, Landlord/Tenant, Social Security

Disability, and Business Transactions at her firm,

Smulders Law Office, PLLC.

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Cooley Graduates Lead inLegal Justice

Hon. Jane Markey, Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals

Judge Jane Markey has participated in more than

5,000 decisions and ruled on every type of case, from

murder, to contracts, to tax law, to divorce. She is widely

known throughout the state - bench, bar, and litigants

alike - as smart, prepared, courteous, consistent, and

impartial. She is highly respected both professionally

and personally. Her nearly 22 years as an appellate and

trial court judge have taught her how to build consensus

and collegiality among judges with differing viewpoints.

An incisive intellect, excellent command of the law, wit,

and pleasant demeanor are her trademarks.

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Experienced Faculty

Excellent FacultyCooley Law School has one of the largest and most experiencedfaculties in the nation. Cooley professors teach three terms ayear, which adds up to a faculty with more teaching experiencethan almost any other law school in the country. And, unlikemost other law schools, Cooley’s faculty members bring tothe classroom many years of experience as practicing lawyers.Cooley students thus gain valuable insights into the real worldof practice in specialized areas of the law. The faculty’s real-worldknowledge combined with their exceptional academic back-grounds makes them the heart and soul of Cooley’s outstandinglegal education program.

Cooley Law School has the distinction of being the only lawschool in the country with two members of its faculty chosento be included in a law professor-focused study seeking the“best law faculty” in the country. Nelson Miller, professor andassociate dean of Cooley’s Grand Rapids campus, and PhilPrygoski, professor at Cooley’s Lansing campus, both have beenchosen to be part of the study, which is designed to identify the best law faculty and to publish their best teaching practicesin the book What the Best Law Teachers Do (Harvard Press2012). Visit the Cooley website and find out why Cooley professors are great teachers, making them some of the bestlaw faculty in the country.

Cooley leads in experienced faculty

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Section Section

Cooley Students Lead inPublic Advocacy

Renee Edmondson & Danielle Dawson

Third-year Cooley Law School students Renee

Edmondson and Danielle Dawson recently helped

develop language to amend legislation aimed at

creating Michigan’s first-ever Animal Abuser Registry.

House Bills 5402 and 5403 would require convicted

animal abusers to register, pay a $250 fee, and

notify police of address changes. The proposed

legislation, which has made national headline

news, is bolstering the duo’s confidence in their

lawyering skills while providing them with an

extraordinary look into the legislative process.

Academic Resource Center Unique to Cooley is the Academic Resource Center, where goodstudents go to become even better students. The professionallytrained staff helps students develop and refine skills that are critical for a successful legal career. Through the Introduction to Law class, a host of seminars, and one-on-one instruction, students develop skills in critical thinking, critical reading, reasoning, briefing, outlining, studying, and examination writing.

bar Preparation Cooley Law School offers effective, free pre-bar exam preparationcourses to all students to prepare them for bar passage. Optionsinclude the multistate bar exam overview, the essay writing workshop, and programs provided through the Academic ResourceCenter. Cooley also offers a 3-credit elective to jump start studyingfor the multistate bar examination. Students who choose our pre-bar prep programs perform better on bar exams across the United States.

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Cooley Graduates Lead inHealthcare

Dennis Swan, President and CEO, Sparrow Health System

Dennis Swan always knew he would go to law school.

He just didn’t foresee it would be at night while

raising a family and working more than full time.

Now the president and chief executive officer of

Sparrow Health System in Lansing, Michigan, Swan

leads an organization that is constantly changing.

And that is just the way he likes it.

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Practical Skills

Cooley leads in skills training

Externships Cooley’s program furthers the school’s mission of practical legal scholarship by placing students with practicing lawyersthroughout the United States and in various countries aroundthe globe. Externships are learning opportunities for studentsplaced with nearly 3,000 lawyers and judges who have agreedto provide a mentored learning environment. Student externs receive classroom training from faculty members in addition tosupervision and evaluation by their attorney mentors.

Clinical Opportunities We believe students immersed in a dynamic, hands-on learningenvironment study and understand the law more fully and are better prepared to serve their clients. Cooley requires aminimum of 3 credit hours in a clinical experience. Studentsmay apply for clinic courses once they have accumulated 40 credit hours.

CLINICAL PROGRAMS

> Sixty Plus, Inc., Elderlaw Clinic

A two-term clinic that provides free legal assistance to elderly

residents of local counties.

> Estate Planning Clinic

A one-term clinic available to evening and weekend students.

> Cooley Innocence Project

Helps secure the release of wrongfully imprisoned persons.

> Family Law Assistance Project

A two-term clinic in which students represent low-income people

in family law and domestic violence matters.

> Access to Justice Clinic

A two-term clinic in which students provide general, civil legal

services to clients referred by the Legal Assistance Center at

the Kent County Courthouse.

> Washtenaw County Public Defender

Cooley clinic where students handle a wide variety of criminal

defense work, from misdemeanors to felonies.

> Public Sector Law Project

A one-term clinic where students provide civil legal services

of a transactional, advisory, legislative, or systemic nature to

government clients in management or elected office.

> Immigrant Rights and Civil Advocacy Clinic

Cooley students meet with foreign national clients who need help

with immigration, naturalization, and civil matters.

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Section Section

Cooley Students Lead inService

Roberto Suarez

Suarez was midway through his third-term studies at

Cooley’s Lansing campus when the veteran military

officer was called to active duty and deployed to

Northern Iraq’s Mosul area, leaving behind his wife

and young daughter. While he credits his Cooley

training for helping him to navigate complex issues,

Suarez also leans on the worldly teachings of far

different experiences, serving most recently as a

U.S. military negotiator in Iraq. Suarez is now an

attorney at the Michigan law firm of Smith Haughey

Rice & Roegge.

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Affordable Tuition

Affordable Legal Education Cooley Law School is among the nation’s most affordable private, independent law schools. Most U.S. law students fund their education with loans and scholarships. In addition to offering federal loans, Cooley offers generous scholarships based on merit.

Financial AidContact a Cooley representative to:> Learn how to pay for law school

> Review scholarship opportunities

> Explore loan repayment options

> Design a financial aid package that meets your needs

For More InformationDetailed explanations of available financial aid programs, scholarships,budgets, and general information are accessible at cooley.edu.

Admissions Office Thomas M. Cooley Law School P.O. box 13038, Lansing, MI 48901

P: (517) 371-5140, ext. 2244 or 2245(800) 874-3511 – 24-hour toll-free

F: (517) 334-5718 E: [email protected]

Cooley leads in helping you manage law school costCooley Graduates Lead inSecurity

Edward Gibson, Director, u.S.Forensic Technology Solutions atPricewaterhouseCoopers

Ed helps corporate decision-makers address

complex issues such as e-espionage, cyber intrusions,

theft of IP and PII, money laundering, corruption,

and criminal exfiltration of data at a global level.

His former titles read like a novel: FBI Special

Agent, Assistant Legal Attache-American Embassy

London, and Microsoft’s Chief Cyber Security Advisor

in the United Kingdom.

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Section

Cooley Students Lead inStudent and bar Organizations

Dewnya bazzi, Attorney at The Dewnya bazzi Law Firm, PLLC

As a Cooley student, Bazzi served as founder and

president of the Cooley Muslim Legal Society,

president of the Intramural Sports Organization,

president of the Sports and Entertainment Law

Society, as well as a member of the Diversity

Committee, the Jewish Law Student Association,

and the Women's Lawyer Alliance of Michigan.

She also was a 2011 Distinguished Student Award

winner, an award that honors those graduating

students who have displayed high standards throughout

their law school career. She is now President of the

Michigan Muslim Bar Association.

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Scholarships

Honors Scholarships Honors Scholarships are awarded up to 75% of tuition, based on Admission Index or LSAT score. Once enrolled, students canearn or increase their scholarships based on class rank.

Michigan and Florida ResidentsMichigan and Florida residents admitted to Cooley LawSchool may be eligible for a 10% Honors Scholarship Enhancement or other scholarship opportunities.

Enrolled StudentsEnrolled students may earn an Honors Scholarship from 10% to50% based upon their class ranking at Cooley, even if they did notearn a scholarship based upon their entering credentials.

At Cooley Law School, an Honors Scholar will retain the highestscholarship award level during the entire time at Cooley, so long as the student is not subject to sanctions under the Honor Codeor Disciplinary Procedures.

Cooley leads in scholarships LSAT HONORS SCHOLARSHIP

LSAT Score 165+ = 75% of Tuition

LSAT Score 160-164 = 60% of Tuition




INDEX HONORS SCHOLARSHIP

Index Score 217+ = 75% of Tuition

Index Score 214-216 = 60% of Tuition




CLASS RANK HONORS SCHOLARSHIP

Class Rank Top 5% = 50% of Tuition

Class Rank Top 6-10% = 40% of Tuition




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Cooley Graduates Lead inGovernment Relations

The Hon. bart Stupak, Former u.S.Congressman, Partner and Lobbyist,Venable LLP

As a Congressman for 18 years, Mr. Stupak developed

a deep understanding of issues that directly affected

his constituents, including matters related to energy,

healthcare, telecommunications and international trade.

Many of the bills he sponsored were signed into law,

including the first bill he ever entered, introduced in his

name, during his first year as Congressman. At Venable,

Stupak is in a unique position to provide clients with

well-informed, extensive counsel that is based on a

thorough knowledge of these industries and related

legislation.

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Cooley Students Lead inVolunteerism

Amanda King, Winner of CooleyStudent Great Deeds Award

While at Cooley, Amanda donated her time,

energy, and talents to numerous charities. As part of

the Black Law Students Association, she organized

a carnival and silent auction that raised over $2,200

for Kids’ Food Basket. She worked to become a

bachelorette in a charity auction for cystic fibrosis.

Amanda also traveled to Ghana,West Africa where she

investigated the effects of smoke on the respiratory

systems of the women and children exposed to

cooking fires. That investigation led to a formal appeal

to public officials with a proposal for the distribution of

medication pertinent to the symptoms of the people

affected by the smoke.

1.2.3.4.5.

How to apply to Cooley

1. Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Cooley Law School will use your highest LSAT score for determining admission. (Score must be less than five years old.)

2. Register with the Credential Assembly Service (CAS). You may receive more information by visiting LSAC.org, or by calling (215) 968-1001.

3. Determine your Admissions IndexOnce you have taken the LSAT and registered with CAS, determine your admissions index using Cooley’s admissions formula. (Below.)

4. Apply to CooleyApply online through LSAC.org or cooley.edu. Read and understand the importance of character, fitness, and full disclosure. There is no application fee.

5. be sure to print a copy of the application for your records.

You may also choose to mail a completed, signed application to:

Admissions Office, Thomas M. Cooley Law SchoolP.O. Box 13038, Lansing, MI 48901

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Admission Eligibility Cooley Law School uses a fair and objective formula to determineeligibility.An applicant’s cumulative Undergraduate Grade Point Average (UGPA), as evaluated by Credential Assembly Service(CAS), is multiplied by 15, and the resulting number is added to the candidate’s highest Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score. All applicants are required to take the LSAT and register for thecomplete CAS service. (Foreign-educated applicants should contactthe Admissions Office.) Students may take the LSAT more thanonce. LSAT scores are honored for five years.

Character and Fitness Meeting the minimum index and LSAT score may determine eligibility, but the Faculty Admissions Committee also assesses a candidate’s character and fitness before extending an offer of admission. All applicants are required to complete an official Cooley Law School application available online at cooley.edu orLSAC.org. All questions on the application, including disclosurequestions, must be answered completely and forthrightly. Failure todisclose information can be grounds for denial or revocation of admission.

Visit cooley.edu for full disclosure information.

Admissions

(UGPA + 15) + HiGHest LsAt = Admissions index +

Cooley Graduates Lead inFinance

Janene McIntyre, Public FinanceLawyer at Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith P.C.

As a Public Finance/Corporate attorney for Foster,

Swift, Collins & Smith P.C., Janene McIntyre has much

experience in municipal finance, including serving as

counsel for several state and local issues in the states

of Michigan, Connecticut, Missouri, New York and the

District of Columbia. She also has a passion for mentor-

ing and volunteering in professional organizations,

including serving as president of the Davis-Dunnings

Bar Association. Before working with Foster Swift,

McIntyre worked as a full-time bond lawyer with

Lewis & Munday, P.C.

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Flexible Scheduling

Cooley leads in scheduling options

A Year-Round Education > Several full-time and part-time options

> Choose to attend Cooley year round with summers off, in the evening, or on the weekend

> Full financial aid is available for all semesters

> Begin in January, May, or September

> Attend law school while you work or attend to family

Choose When to Start

Day Classes – Monday-Friday> Start in September at any one of Cooley’s campuses

Afternoon Classes – Monday-Friday> Start in January at any one of Cooley’s campuses

Evening Classes – Monday-Friday> Start in May at any one of Cooley’s campuses

Weekend Classes – Saturday & Sunday: Mornings & Afternoons> Start in September at Cooley’s Lansing campus > Start in January at Cooley’s Grand Rapids campus > Start in May at Cooley’s Auburn Hills campus

Weekend classes are not available in Ann Arbor or Tampa Bay.

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Section

Cooley Students Lead inAchievement

Tom Smith, Leadership AchievementAward Winner

At Cooley, Tom Smith had the opportunity and

support to explore and succeed in his career goals.

He developed the discipline and competence to master

the legal knowledge and skills through a variety of

course work and co-curricular activities. He was on

the Law Review, vice president of the Student Bar

Association, president of the Federalist Society, a

school Ambassador, and was involved in a diverse range

of activities. Tom’s law school success earned him the

school’s Leadership Achievement Award. He now has a

career as a captain in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps

doing exactly what he loves to do.

Typical First-Year Curriculum

1. FuLL-TIME: Traditional Terms Off for 3 YearsTerm 1: Introduction to Law, Contracts I, Property I, Torts I, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law ITerm 2: ARC Skills Seminars¥, Contracts II, Property II, Torts II, Research & Writing,

Constitutional Law IITerm 3: OFF

2. FuLL-TIME: Year-Round for 2 YearsTerm 1: Introduction to Law, Contracts I, Property I, Torts I, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law ITerm 2: ARC Skills Seminars¥, Contracts II, Property II, Torts II, Research & Writing,

Constitutional Law IITerm 3: Personal and Professional Responsibility, Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure I,

Secured Transactions

3. PART-TIME: Year-Round for 3 YearsTerm 1: Introduction to Law, Contracts I, Property I, Torts I, Criminal LawTerm 2: ARC Skills Seminars¥, Contracts II, Property II, Torts II, Civil Procedure I Term 3: Personal and Professional Responsibility, Research & Writing, Criminal Procedure,

Civil Procedure II

4. PART-TIME: Year-Round for 4 YearsTerm 1: Introduction to Law, Contracts I, Torts I, Criminal LawTerm 2: ARC Skills Seminars¥ Contracts II, Torts II, Civil Procedure ITerm 3: Research & Writing, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure II

5. PART-TIME: Year-Round for 5 YearsTerm 1: Introduction to Law, Contracts I, Torts ITerm 2: ARC Skills Seminars¥, Contracts II, Torts IITerm 3: Research & Writing, Personal and Professional Responsibility

6. PART-TIME: WeekendsTerm 1: Introduction to Law, Contracts I, Property I, Torts I, Criminal LawTerm 2: ARC Skills Seminars¥, Contracts II, Property II, Torts II, Civil Procedure ITerm 3: Personal and Professional Responsibility, Research & Writing, Criminal Procedure,

Civil Procedure II¥ RECOMMENDED

choose

the rightschedule

Daytime, Afternoon,Evening, or Weekends Take from 2 to 5 years to complete yourdegree. Part-time or full-time, you'll betaught by the same full-time faculty and haveto meet the same graduation requirements.

1. FuLL-TIME: Terms Off for 3 Years (15 credits/term)

2. FuLL-TIME: Year-Round for 2 Years (15 credits/term)

3. PART-TIME: Year-Round for 3 Years (12 credits/term)



6. WEEKEND: Part-Time3-Year or 4-Year programs

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Cooley Graduates Lead inCorporate Law

David Grumbine, Senior Counsel atWhirlpool Corporation

Grumbine unveiled what Whirlpool calls the National

Product Council, a group of three law firms that would

handle most legal disputes for Whirlpool in North

America and with its suppliers. Whirlpool’s internal

dispute resolution team consists of 30 employees.

The group oversees approximately 700 lawsuits

and 12,000 claims each year for the Fortune 500

company with annual revenue of approximately

$18.4 billion.

DOWNTOWN ANN ARBOR

PALACE OF AUBURN HILLSCOMERICA PARK, DETROITTAMPA BAY CAMPUS

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Cooley leads in outstanding facilitiesCampus locations that work for you – five locations, one great law school. Complete your lawdegree at any of our four locations across Michigan and our newest campus in Florida.

With appellate and trial courtrooms at all campuses, high-tech classrooms throughout,and one of America’s largest law libraries, Cooley provides an excellent setting in whichour students can study, our faculty can teach, and our staff can work.

Our facilities are unmatched in size, scope, quality, and beauty.

Facilities

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Section Section

COOLEY LAW SCHOOL STADIUM

AUBURN HILLS CAMPUS

GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS FREDERICK MEIJER GARDENS, GRAND RAPIDS

ANN ARBOR CAMPUS

Campuses

Cooley Students Lead inCommunity Service

Sophia Thelusma

For Sophia Thelusma, helping Haiti was a priority even

before one of the deadliest earthquakes in history

struck the already impoverished country. The

devastation it caused has only fueled her already

blazing passion for the country and its people. Sophia

founded the organization Reach for Clean Teeth as

a third-year student. The organization aims to educate

young Haitians on the importance of dental hygiene

and provides them with complimentary toothbrushes,

toothpaste, and dental floss.

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Cooley Graduates Lead inForeign Government

Ruby Makiyama, Elected Member ofthe House of Councillors (Kanagawa-prefecture) of the National Diet of Japan

Ruby Makiyama holds a prestigious seat with the

National Diet of Japan, the equivalent of serving

as a U.S. Senator. Makiyama represents the

Kanagawa region, the second-most populated

prefecture in Japan and the equivalent of a

U.S. state.

DEVOS CENTER, GRAND RAPIDS

COURTROOM CLASSROOM, LANSING CAMPUS

LANSING CAMPUS

TAMPA BAY CAMPUS

AUBURN HILLS CAMPUS

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GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS

DOWNTOWN LANSING

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Cooley Students Lead inPractice Skills

LaToya Palmer and Erin Moss, Top Client Counseling Team in the Country

Palmer and Moss bested teams from 95 law

schools across the United States, taking first

place in the 2011 American Bar Association’s

Law Student Division Client Counseling National

Competition, and went on to the international

competition in the Netherlands.

Cooley campuses in vibrant communities

Cooley’s campuses are all situated in thriving, desirable locations. Several of our campuslocations even made Money’s 2012 Top 100 List of America’s Best Places To Live, including,Riverview, Florida, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Troy, West Bloomfield Township, Shelby Township and Macomb Township, Michigan, which are located only minutes from Cooley’s Auburn Hills campus.

Lansing: The 500,000 square-foot Lansing campus allows all students to learn instate-of-the-art wireless classrooms, to practice in court facilities, and to study in thespacious Brennan Library, all located in Michigan’s capital city.

Auburn Hills: Located on 67 wooded acres in suburban Detroit, the campus boasts a new,large, “green,” and technologically advanced law school facility. Study in a serene environmentin the heart of a major metropolitan area.

Grand Rapids: The five-story law center features a loft-style setting, housing a law library on two levels, a computer lab/electronic classroom, two courtrooms, and manystudy rooms. The campus is located in the thriving heart of this great cultural city.

Ann Arbor: Located in one of the most desirable places to live in America, the AnnArbor campus offers all of the same Cooley amenities in a lovely Alden Dow-designed facility.

Tampa bay: Tampa Bay is a great place for students to live and learn the law – a destinationknown worldwide for its beautiful landscape, many attractions, and thriving arts andcultural community.

SERVICE TO SOLDIERS: LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Cooley Graduates Lead inGovernment Relations

Nell Kuhnmuench, Lobbyist and Director at Governmental ConsultantServices Inc. (GCSI)

GCSI is a lobbying firm representing such national

names as AT&T, Chrysler, and major universities.

Kuhnmuench is routinely ranked as one of the top two

lobbyists in Michigan. She sees her role as an advocate

– one who works tirelessly for clients.

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Ethics, Service, and Professionalism

Cooley leads in ethics, service, and professionalism

Center for Ethics, Service, and ProfessionalismCooley’s Center for Ethics, Service, and Professionalism is dedicated to the following ideals:

> Lead by modeling and teaching ethics

> Foster and encourage service

> Practice professionalism

> Commit to our communities

By creating a culture of professionalism in the law school, Cooleyintends to foster the highest caliber of relationships between theCooley community and the legal and local communities. To thisend, the Center for Ethics, Service, and Professionalism haslaunched and maintains many initiatives to ensure our students,staff, and faculty are encouraged, and have many opportunities, tomeet their professionalism goals.

Ethics Library Cooley’s Ethics and Professionalism Library maintains nearly5,000 volumes of ethics materials. The Ethics and ProfessionalismLibrary is open to students, faculty, and attorneys to promote the research and study of ethics and professionalism.

COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITIES PROFESSIONALISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Section

Cooley Students Lead inSocial Awareness

Charles Hamel

Hamel has always had a passion for rock climbing,

and is now using his passion to raise money and

awareness for individuals affected by Post-Traumatic

Stress Disorder (PTSD). Hamel and his climbing

partner Allen Zeitlin, who is a medical student and

veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, created

www.climbing4PTSD.org. The charity benefits

the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and

funds a grant for PTSD research. They have raised

more than $5,000 for the Brain & Behavior

Research Foundation.

Ethics Programs

> Ethics and Professionalism Library

> Ethics in the Curriculum

> Ethics Speakers’ Bureau

Service Programs

> Commitment to Our Communities/Cooley Cares

> Leadership in the Law

> Pro Bono Programs

> Service to Soldiers: Legal Assistance Referral Program

Professionalism Programs

> Cooley Student Mediation Board

> Cultural Competence Workshops

> Enforcing Student Conduct Codes

> Integrity in Our Communities Speaker Series

> Professional Development and Mentoring

> Professionalism Portfolio and Pathway to Success Course

> Public School Mentoring and Assistance Programs

> Student Wellness

For more informationvisit cooley.edu

E. Smythe Gambrell Award Through Cooley's innovative, award-winning Professionalism Plan, which received theAmerican Bar Association's highest recognition for professionalism, the E. SmytheGambrell Award, Cooley created a culture of professionalism that permeates everypart of the school. Everyone at Cooley is challenged to adopt professionalism as away of life. Most recently, Cooley Law School brought together nearly 60 nationalleaders in the legal and higher education fields for its inaugural Professionalism Advisory Committee meeting held July 2012. The group identified professionalismissues that most impact the practice of law and higher education and advised Cooley on ways to improve and promote professionalism in legal education.

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The American Bar Association, the organization thataccredits law schools, does not allow full-time students,those taking 13 or more credits per term, to workmore than 20 hours a week.

The initial Honors Scholarship is continued as aminimum award for the duration of the student’senrollment at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, solong as the student is not subject to sanction under theHonor Code for Disciplinary Procedures and so long as the law school continues the Honors Scholarshipprogram. Scholarships are in the form of tuition credits.

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School is committed to afair and objective admissions policy. Subject to spacelimitations, Cooley offers the opportunity for legaleducation to all qualified applicants. Cooley abides byall federal and state laws against discrimination. Inaddition, Cooley abides by American Bar AssociationStandard 211(a), which provides that “a law schoolshall foster and maintain equality of opportunity inlegal education, including employment of faculty andstaff, without discrimination or segregation on the basisof race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexualorientation, age or disability.”

This brochure includes descriptions of some currentpolicies, practices, and schedules at Cooley LawSchool. This brochure is not a contract and does not,and cannot, create any contractual rights. All policies,practices, and schedules are subject to change withoutprior notice.

Thomas M. Cooley Law School is accredited by theAmerican Bar Association, 321 N. Clark Street, 21st Floor NE, Chicago, IL 60610, (312) 988-6738,www.americanbar.org/legaled; the Higher LearningCommission, a member of the North CentralAssociation of Schools and Colleges, 230 South LaSalleStreet, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1413, (800) 621-7440, www.ncahlc.org; and licensed by theCommission for Independent Education, FloridaDepartment of Education. Additional informationregarding this institution may be obtained by contactingthe Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414,Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free telephone number(888) 224-6684.

Students can review copies of the documentsdescribing Cooley Law School’s accreditation onreserve at the law libraries.

Annual summary financial information is available to the public by contacting 300 S. Capitol Avenue, P.O. Box 13038, Lansing, MI 48901.

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We set our standards high at

Cooley. Our program of legal

education is rigorous, challenging,

and thorough.

Come to Cooley if you want tolearn how to be a great lawyer.

Thomas M. Cooley Law School

300 South Capitol AvenueP.O. Box 13038Lansing, MI 48901

cooley.edu

Since its founding in 1972, Cooley Law School has

provided students with the practical skills necessary for

a seamless transition from law school to law practice.

Cooley’s emphasis on sound academic knowledge,

practical skills, and professionalism prepares our

graduates for roles of leadership.

Lead Today. Lead Tomorrow.

Cooley Law School.

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