Fall 2011 Benchmark Alumni Magazine

Fall 2011

THE THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL MAGAZINE

BenchmarkBenchmark

Inside

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.Cooley Takes Sustainability Seriously

A New Leader – Jeffrey L. Martlew

Here Come the Judges – Servingthe Sunshine State

Local Graduates Share Excitement,Support for the Tampa Bay Campus

Cooley now in Tampa BayCooley’s Tampa Bay campus has quickly generated strong interest andsupport from the surrounding legaland business community, graduates,prospective students and many organizations and individuals.

EditorTerry Carella

Co-Editor/WriterSharon Matchette

Contributing WritersSeyferthPR

DesignImage Creative Group

PhotographyTampa Bay Campus © Gennara Photography

Call for SubmissionsThe Benchmark is seeking story ideasfrom graduates. We are looking for storieson a variety of subjects such as graduateachievements, international law, culturaldiversity, legal information helpful to prac-titioners, unique law practices, advice toprospective law students, and special events.If you would like to share a story idea,please write, call, or e-mail:

Communications OfficeThomas M. Cooley Law SchoolP.O. Box 13038Lansing, MI 48901

Phone: (517) 371-5140 ext. 2916Fax: (517) 334-5780E-mail: [email protected]

Postmark: Benchmark is published twice ayear by the administrative offices of theThomas M. Cooley Law School, P.O. Box13038, Lansing, MI 48901

This issue of Benchmark is dedicated to Cooley Law School’s newest campus in Tampa Bay, Florida, onschedule to open in May 2012.

Why Florida? Many applicants come from Florida, and except for Michigan, Florida hosts Cooley’slargest alumni population. But many of those who apply cannot afford to move to Michigan. Our network of graduates plays a vital role in the education of new lawyers. Many of our students participatein externships, some of which are created by our alumni. After graduation, our network of morethan 15,000 graduates can help students to gain employment. With nearly 900 Cooley graduates inFlorida alone, we knew we should give strong consideration to opening a campus in the state.

Why Tampa Bay? We narrowed the possible locations down to Tampa Bay for a number of reasons,not least of which is that there are 160 Cooley graduates and 20 approved externship sites in thearea. Our research also shows a lack of available seats for new law school students in the Tampa Bayarea, especially for those seeking a law degree while working full-time.

In this issue we are introducing longtime judge, Cooley graduate and professor Jeff Martlew, who hassigned on to be the Tampa Bay campus associate dean. You will also get a glimpse of the state-of-the-art renovations taking place on the new campus. We’ve included another Cooley point of pride witha story about our graduates who have gone on to become judges throughout the state of Florida.

Interest in and support for this new venture are very high. We hope that you will share our enthusiasmfor being able to provide a Cooley education to qualified and deserving students who share the dream ofbecoming lawyers.

Sincerely,

James D. RobbAssociate Dean of Development and Alumni [email protected]

ALUMNI DATABASEThe user name will always remain the wordalumni. The password changes are disclosedin Benchmark on the inside front cover.Please call the Alumni Relations Office at 517-371-5140, ext. 2038, or e-mail [email protected] if you have any problems.

BenchmarkThe Thomas M. Cooley Law SchoolAlumni Magazine

Letter from Cooley

ICG.1111.022.BM

16LOCAL GRADUATESSHARE EXCITEMENT & SUPPORT FOR THETAMPA BAY CAMPUS

1BENCHMARK FALL 2011 COOLEY.EDU

THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL BENCHMARK FALL 2011

contents

10A NEW LEADERWhen a great opportunity presents itself, Jeffrey L. Martlewis not one to let it slip away.

14HERE COME THE JUDGES

Cooley Law School has the distinctive honor of havingthree graduates who are serving as judges in courts ofrecord in Florida and anothergraduate who previously sat on the bench in the Sunshine State.

2COOLEY NOW IN TAMPA BAYWith countless features andofferings, the new Tampa Baycampus is a guaranteed winner.

6REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE.Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus won’t be just technologically advanced, it will be environmentallysmart.

Cooley News pg. 18-19

• All the world’s a stage – Cooley continues its Stages of the Law series for the sixth year

• Thomas M. Cooley Law School and Western Michigan University launch third dual-degree program

• Cooley sponsors retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens' visit to Grand Rapids

• Cooley Alumni Association elects new officers

Join your fellow alumni on LinkedIn®

COOLEYNOW IN

TAMPA BAY

With its towering palm trees, beautifully landscaped grounds and colorful and contemporaryarchitectural details, the Tampa Bay campus shares an understated elegance all its own. It’s aninviting atmosphere from the inside out, with wide, carpeted hallways and classrooms, freshlypainted walls and an abundance of natural light, especially in the expansive lobby area of itstwo-story atrium entrance.

Aesthetics aside, the campus is operationally humming with some of the most advanced facilitytreatments available, from its information technology to superior cooling systems. With countlessfeatures and offerings, the new Tampa Bay campus is a guaranteed winner.

Cooley’s new campus inFlorida will be a greataddition to the Tampa BayCommunity.


Cooley’s Newest Campus in Tampa Bay, Florida

4 BENCHMARK FALL 2011 COOLEY.EDU

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In just a few short weeks, faculty and staff of the Tampa Bay campus will soon outnumber the many contractors who have been working round-the-clock at the new campus. That’sbecause the initial work involved in converting the former Progressive Insurance building into a state-of-the-art law school will gradually subside in time for Cooley personnel to begin assemblingon a full-time basis beginning in January 2012. All will be focused on the goal of serving the inauguralMay 2012 incoming class of students with utmost preparation and commitment to their success. It is acomplex orchestration of extraordinary details and deadlines, but one that the Tampa Bay team feelsconfident in achieving.

From a recent news conference to an open house attended by more than 300 individuals, Cooley’sTampa Bay campus has quickly generated strong interest and support from the surrounding legaland business community, graduates, prospective students and many organizations and individuals.

NEW GROUND

B R E A K I N G

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Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus has quickly generated strong

interest and support from the surrounding legal and

business community, graduates, prospective students and

many organizations and individuals.

Associate Dean Jeff Martlew talks to the media at a recent Tampa Bay news conference.

Cooley Tampa Bay has an abundance of natural light, especially in the expansive lobby area of its two-story atrium entrance.


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REDUCEREUSE

RECYCLE

7

featureCooley Takes Sustainability and Keeping Costs in Line Seriously

The 132,000-square-foot building is being transformedinto a state-of-the-art law school that will include a25,000-square-foot law library, a 336-seat auditoriumand 24 classrooms.

Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus won’t be just technologically advanced,

it will be environmentally smart.

Extensive renovations to a former ProgressiveInsurance building in Riverview, Florida will resultin the newest campus of Thomas M. Cooley LawSchool. The 132,000-square-foot building is beingtransformed into a state-of-the-art law schoolthat will include a 25,000-square-foot law library,a 336-seat auditorium and 24 classrooms. The classroom spaces will include four distance-education rooms, a 28-seat computer lab andtwo trial courtrooms.

Internet will be provided throughout the building, and all the classrooms will have the latest educational tools including: height-adjustable podiums, built-in computers, videoprojectors, and audio recording capabilities. Thelarger classrooms will have adaptive equipmentfor the hearing impaired and videoconferencingfor communicating between campuses. Thecourtrooms will be equipped with real-time courtreporting capabilities in addition to monitors forthe attorneys, witnesses and jurors.

BENCHMARK FALL 2011 COOLEY.EDU


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Renovations began in September, and occupancywill take place in phases with the first phase completed before classes start in May 2012. Thisincludes completing the law library, some of theclassrooms, and office spaces. The remaining renovations are expected to be completed in late 2012.

During renovations, the building’s structure willbe reinforced to accommodate building windload requirements for a Florida college. “Wewill spend somewhere between $750,000 and$1 million to build infrastructure to increaseresistance to hurricane winds,” said WilliamSchoettle, Cooley Chief Operating Officerand vice president of operations.

COOLEY TAKES SUSTAINABILITYAND KEEPING COSTS IN LINE SERIOUSLYCooley purchased two parcels totaling 13.3-acreswith more than 500 parking spaces, at 9445Camden Field Parkway in Riverview, Fla., justminutes east of downtown Tampa. The cost of both parcels to Cooley was $6.3 million. The total cost of renovations has not yet beendetermined, but Cooley takes sustainability andkeeping costs in line seriously.

“We plan to keep as much of the buildingintact as possible,” said Schoettle. “It is ourintent to keep the 6,000 yards of carpet in the building in place to save nearly $200,000.We will also keep all of the 1,200 energy efficient light fixtures and keep all of the existing doors.”

This is not Cooley’s or Schoettle’s first experience at renovating buildings and openingnew campuses. Schoettle oversaw the renovationand opening of the the Grand Rapids, AuburnHills and Ann Arbor campuses. Those projectsincluded accelerated timelines similar to what theTampa Bay campus is experiencing.

“It is our intent to keep the 6,000 yards of carpetin the building in place to save nearly $200,000.We will also keep all of the 1,200 energy efficientlight fixtures and keep all of the existing doors.”

Cooley Chief Operating Officer William Schoettle gives the media and guests a tour of the Tampa Bay campus after a recent news conference, just before the startof the major renovation project.


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“When we opened the Grand Rapids,Auburn Hills and Ann Arbor campuses, wewere able to take these very different prop-erties and settings and create a law schoolenvironment inside and out that speaks toour culture of excellence,” Schoettle said.

Cooley is also in the process of having thefour campuses in Michigan certified by the Society for Environmentally ResponsibleFacilities (SERF). SERF is a coalition of propertyowners, businesses and professionals that promotes environmentally responsible homesand buildings through its certification program.SERF’s goal is to make green building certification more affordable and easily accessible to companies of all sizes.

COOLEY WILL OFFER FULL PROGRAMThe Tampa Bay campus will begin offeringevening classes in May 2012, followed bymorning classes in September 2012 and afternoon classes in January 2013.

The full curriculum will be rolled out through athree-year period. Unlike traditional law schoolsthat offer enrollment annually, Cooley continueswith its tradition of offering enrollment threetimes a year: January, May, and September.Cooley also caters to a growing trend in servingnon-traditional students and offers full- and part-time evening classes at all campuses, andweekend classes at most locations.

EXISTING CARPET

REUSE OF 6,000 YARDS OF

EFFICIENT LIGHT FIXTURES

REUSE OF 1,200 ENERGY-

EXIS

TING DOORS

REUSE

OF ALL

132,000-SQ. FT.

BUIL

DIN

G

RENOVATION O

F A


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Meet the Associate Dean for the Tampa Bay CampusJeffrey L. Martlew

A NEW LEADER


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The Cooley graduate, successful attorney andlong-time judge has recently added a newcareer milestone: leader of one of his almamater’s most exciting initiatives to date -- theopening of a campus in Tampa Bay, Florida. It isCooley’s first campus outside of Michigan,which is home to campuses in Lansing, GrandRapids, Auburn Hills and Ann Arbor.

With the campus slated to open to its first classof students in May 2012, the energetic, Cooleyassociate dean is nothing but encouraged.

“I am honored and privileged to lead this,” hesaid. “Cooley certainly knows how to openand grow a new campus with a top-flight lawprogram.” Martlew, who is often described ashumble and down-to-earth with a quiet deter-mination, takes his ultra-busy schedule in stride.Most recently, his to-do list has included weeklytrips to Cooley’s Grand Rapids campus to teach Pretrial Skills, monthly trips to the newTampa Bay campus, and on the personalfront, packing boxes with his wife Ginny, as they prepare to move to a new home in Florida.

FULL CIRCLEWorking at a law school campus amid extensiverenovation is déjà vu for Martlew. He was amember of Cooley’s second entering class in1973, a period of rapid growth for the newly-opened Lansing law school. Martlew recalledhow all 150 law school students attended classes in “one little building” on Grand Avenue,across the street from The Lansing State Journal.“The building had an upstairs, and a down-stairs. The library and administrative officeswere on the first floor and there were twolarge classrooms on the second floor,” he recalled.

About a year into Martlew’s studies, Cooleyinitiated its first expansion with the purchaseof the Masonic Temple Building about sevenblocks away. Moving into the new digsbecame a school-wide project.

“We were all involved in the physical move,”Martlew explained. “They even cancelledclasses one day so that students could helpload library books onto dollies and pushthem down the street to the new building.”

Jeffrey L. Martlew (Campbell Class, 1976), Associate Dean for the Tampa Bay Campus, Cooley Law School

When a great opportunity presentsitself, Jeffrey L. Martlew is not one to let it slip away.


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And so an era of extraordinary Cooley growthbegan. “My entire Cooley education took placewhile the school was under construction,” hesaid. Eager to do well, Martlew admitted hestudied “sun-up to sun-down. The educationprepared me well. By the time graduationcame, I felt very confident about my ability topractice law.”

The Tampa Bay campus spans more than 13acres on which classes will be offered in a single-story, 132,000-square-foot-buildingflanked by palm trees. Remodeling of the former Progressive Insurance site began inSeptember and, by May 2012, will include thecreation of classrooms, an auditorium and a law library, as well as a 500-vehicle parking lot (see related story, pages 7-9).

A FANCY FOR FLINTAs dean of the Tampa Bay campus, Martlew’sleadership touches everything from enrollmentto faculty and staff employment.

It’s an ambitious project but, then again,Martlew has never shied away from hard work.It was part of his formative years growing up inFlint, Michigan, a city that, in the 1950s and1960s, was considered one of the state’s mostprogressive areas.

With General Motors (GM) as a generous local employer, Flint was booming with solidmanufacturing jobs and educational and culturalgifts from GM philanthropist Charles StewartMott. The Martlew family relished the city’s offerings.

The entire family enjoyed great debates at holiday gatherings. His mother came from a lineage of pro-business GM executives while hisfather’s blue-collar family was deeply pro-labor.The young Martlew appreciated the dual viewpoints that would later serve him well as a judge. “I learned that conflicting points of view can both have merit and that you have to listen and consider everything in order tomake good decisions.”

When high school graduation drew near, manyof Martlew’s classmates walked into excellentfactory jobs at nearby GM. But not so withMartlew. His parents made it clear to their fourchildren that a college education would be jobnumber one. “There was no debate; we wereexpected to go to college,” Martlew said.

As the oldest child, Martlew would pave theway. Since his high school shared a campus withFlint Junior College (now Mott CommunityCollege), it was an easy decision to enroll. “Myparents had four kids; they sure didn’t have themoney to send me anyplace else.” He earnedan associate’s degree and transferred to The University of Michigan-Flint. “My tuitiondoubled from $10 to $20 a credit hour. I stillremember that. That was big money in 1970.”Martlew graduated from U of M in 1972 with a teaching degree.

Eager to do well, Martlew admitted he studied“sun-up to sun-down. The education prepared me well. By the time graduation came, I felt veryconfident about my ability to practice law.”

Newly married and with no teaching jobs insight, Martlew began to consider alternatives.He had a deep interest in public service anddecided that a law degree would help himmove into that field, so he tagged along with a friend who was taking the LSAT. Martlewscored very well on the test and then learnedof a new law school that had just opened in nearby Lansing, so he decided to enroll at Cooley.

COOLEY: PART OF MARTLEW’S LIFEMartlew graduated from Cooley in 1976 andjoined a small, established practice in Mt. Morris,Michigan. About two years later, an opportunityto join a practice with a long-time attorney inDeWitt came knocking. The small-town practiceof Matson & Martlew was born.

About eight years into his legal career, a numberof local officials suggested he consider runningfor district judge for the 65th District Courtof Clinton County. Martlew decided to challenge the two-term incumbent. The dawn-to-dusk election schedule was tough on his family life, buthis efforts paid off.

In 1985, Martlew was sworn in as districtjudge and held the position through 1992.That’s when he eyed a run for the 29thCircuit Court judge seat for Clinton andGratiot counties. He won the spot and was elevated to chief judge in 1994.

About this same time, Martlew was tapped toserve on Cooley’s board of directors, a positionhe would hold for 12 years. While he retiredfrom both the bench and Cooley’s board in2007, it didn’t take Martlew long to find his wayback to Cooley again. This time he traded the board room for the classroom. For the past four years, Martlew has taught courses atthe Grand Rapids campus, commuting from hisDeWitt home, his family’s Glen Lake, Michigancottage or, most recently, Tampa Bay. He finishes his final term in a few weeks to committo an exclusive, full-time schedule at the TampaBay campus in January 2012.

As the countdown to the campus openingaccelerates, so does Martlew’s excitementabout Cooley’s potential in serving Floridians.

“Cooley is better than any other law school inthe country in preparing students to practice,”he said. “I am confident we will roll out a great educational program.”


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“Cooley is better than any other law school in the country in preparing students to practice,” he said. “I am confident we will roll out a great educational program.”

The new Tampa Bay campus is located near many businesses, restaurants and attractions.

JUDGE KEVIN BLAZSFOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURTAPPOINTED JUNE 2011PAST JUDICIAL POSITION: DUVAL COUNTY

COURT 2006-2011

Judge Kevin Blazs (Mundy Class, 1986) was appointed in June2011 to the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court by Florida Gov. RickScott. Judge Blazs, 51, has served on the Duval County Court since 2006. Previously, he practiced with Gobelman, Love, Gavin, Blazs and Wasilenko from 1990 to 2006. He was trial counsel inthe U.S. Army Reserve from 1992 to 2001, a law professor at universities in China from 1989–1990 and Assistant State Attorneyfor the Duval County State Attorney’s Office from 1987 to 1989.Judge Blazs served as an adjunct law professor at Cooley in 1986and a legislative aide in the Michigan State Senate from 1983 to1986. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from LibertyUniversity. After receiving his juris doctor at Cooley, he earned amaster of laws from the University of London and a master ofstudies from the University of Cambridge.

JUDGE THOMAS M. JAWORSKIALACHUA COUNTY COURTELECTED 2004RE-ELECTED 2010

Judge Thomas M. Jaworski (McAlvay Class, 1984) sits on the Alachua County Court. He was first elected to the position in 2004 for a six-year term and re-elected again in 2010. JudgeJaworski has served as Administrative Judge with the AlachuaCounty Court from July 2010. He earned his bachelor of artsfrom Michigan State University in 1980 before attending Cooley.Judge Jaworski began his career as a legal services attorney from1984 to 1987. He served as a public defender from 1987 to 1989 and as an assistant state attorney from 1989 to1998. In1999, Judge Jaworski went into private practice until being electedto his current post. While working in the State Attorney’s office,Judge Jaworski spent three years teaching at the Institute for PublicSafety for both corrections and law enforcement officers.

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HERE COME TCOOLEY ALUMNI SERVING THE

SUNSHINE STATE


Kevin Blazs (Mundy Class, 1986), and Thomas M. Jaworski (McAlvay Class, 1984)

JUDGE DAWN DENAROMIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURTAPPOINTED MAY 2011

Judge Dawn Denaro (Hooker Class, 1993) was appointed in May 2011 by Florida Gov. Rick Scott to fill a vacancy in theMiami-Dade County Court. Judge Denaro, 45, has been anassistant state attorney with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’sOffice since 1993. Before attending Cooley, Judge Denaroearned her bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.

According to a CBS Miami story about Judge Denaro’sappointment, Gov. Scott said, “Dawn has devoted her legalcareer to serving the people of Florida with diligence and anadmirable work ethic. She understands what it means to betruly dedicated to the pursuit of justice and will serve thisCourt with dignity and fairness.”

JUDGE (RETIRED) JEFFREY SWARTZMIAMI-DADE COUNTY COURT1995-2005

Judge Jeffrey Swartz (Cooley Class, 1976) served as a judge forthe Miami-Dade County Court from 1995-2005. JudgeSwartz practices law in Miami at the firm of RosenthalRosenthal Rasco Kaplan. He began his career practicing criminallaw, first as a prosecutor in Ohio and, later, as an assistant stateattorney for Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit. Judge Swartz currently serves on the Florida State Legislature’s Commissionon Capital Cases. He has taught ethics and professional responsibility while a visiting professor at Cooley’s Lansing campus. Swartz received his bachelor of arts degree from Ohio State University.

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THE JUDGESCooley Law School has the distinctive honor of having three graduates who are serving asjudges in courts of record in Florida and another graduate who previously sat on the benchin the same coastal state.


Dawn Denaro (Hooker Class, 1993), and Jeffrey Swartz (Cooley Class, 1975)

16

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Local Graduates Share

Excitement &Support for the Tampa Bay Campus

“Thrilled to see Cooley in Tampa Bay”

“A fantastic addition to Florida”

“Wonderful”

“Delighted”

“More great choicesfor students”

“What anexcellent location”



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SANDI MILMeD

Sandi Milmed (Sharpe Class, 1998), a Floridanative, recalled making the frequent 2,400-mile round-trip trek to Lansing some 15 yearsago to earn her Juris Doctor at Cooley. Nowthe solo practitioner and owner of The LawOffice of Sandi D. Milmed, P.A., lives only a five-minute drive from Cooley’s new

Tampa Bay campus.

Milmed is finding that her alma mater’s expansion into her neigh-borhood will be a great addition, from the economic impact of the extensive renovation to its community outreach efforts. This activemember of Cooley’s Alumni Association National Alumni Boardsaid the campus’ convenient location provides an ideal way for Milmedto give back to a school that has prepared her well for her legal career.

In addition to attending the October groundbreaking event of the TampaBay campus, Milmed recently volunteered her time at the campus openhouse, offering her candid advice to potential law students.

“I let them know that law school is not a cakewalk, but if you putforth the effort, you will be prepared for virtually anything,” shesaid. “Cooley offers one of the most, if not the most, well-roundedlaw educations available.”

Milmed is one of nearly 900 Cooley graduates in the Sunshine State,which makes Florida Cooley’s second largest alumni hub.

NICK MArTINez

Nick Martinez (Bacon Class, 1990), wasthrilled to learn of Cooley’s presence in Tampa Bay. “No other law school will represent the citizens of the state of Floridalike Cooley,” he said.

Martinez holds both an M.D. and J.D. and is aco-owner of the Martinez Odom Law Group.

“More representation of minority populations is needed,” he said.“And Cooley is the most diverse law school in the country.

“There’s just not enough minority representation, including womenof color and Spanish-speaking representation,” Martinez said.Martinez is a fifth-generation Hispanic. His personal injury practicehas three Florida locations, with six attorneys and a total of 24 staff.

Martinez also attended the Tampa Bay groundbreaking event andsaid he wants to get involved with any future clinics the campus mayoffer. Martinez recalled the excellent real-world skills he gained inworking at Cooley’s Sixty Plus, Inc. Elderlaw Clinic during his lawschool studies.

“I felt more prepared than my peers to jump right into a courtroom,”he said. “I think ithe new Cooley campus is great for the community.

Cooley graduates Sandi Milmed (Sharpe Class, 1998), Nick Martinez (Bacon Class, 1990)

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“Another outstandingidea fromCooley”

“This will be a great addition to the Cooley community”

“Terrific for the local community”

“Ecstatic”

“Summers inMichigan, winters in Florida – Yes!”

“Exciting”


school news

All the world’s a stageFor the sixth year, Cooley continues its Stages of the Law seriesof legal- and ethics-themed plays at four Lansing theaters, puttingthe spotlight on some compelling issues. The 2011-2012 serieskicked off in October with Conspiracy at Riverwalk Theatre, followed by The Shrike, November 4-12 at Lansing CommunityCollege’s Dart Auditorium, The Goblins and The Gravedigger,December 2-11 at Mid Michigan Family Theatre, and, new to theseries this year, is Michigan State University’s Wharton Centerfor the Performing Arts with The Exonerated, January 27-28.

Stages of the Law also features its popular Talk Back nightswhen a Cooley professor discusses the areas of law andethics featured in the play with audience members after the performance. Theater performances on the nights of the TalkBack also feature two-for-one tickets. For more information,visit cooley.edu/stages

“Cooley and the Lansing area share a strong

history of support for the arts. We’re thrilled to

bring a sixth season of legal-themed plays to the

community. Stages of the Law is considered a

very unique collaboration among community

theatres and a law school.”

Don LeDuc, Cooley Law School’s president and dean.

Thomas M. CooleyLaw School andWestern MichiganUniversity launchthird dual-degreeprogramCooley and Western Michigan University (WMU) announcedtheir third dual-degree partnership, launching the area’s first-everMaster of Social Work (MSW)/Juris Doctor (J.D.) program.Recruitment is underway, and enrollment of the first applicantsis anticipated to begin in fall 2012.

Students can attend any WMU campus for classes geared for theMSW and any of Cooley’s campuses for law classes. Those whosuccessfully complete the program will earn an MSW fromWMU and a J.D. degree from Cooley.

The two other degree partnerships that Cooley and WMU offerare J.D./Master of Business Administration and J.D./Master ofPublic Administration programs. Cooley has similar partnershipswith Oakland University and Olivet College.

19

school news


Cooley sponsorsretired SupremeCourt Justice’s visit to GrandRapidsU.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens (retired), 91,spoke in Grand Rapids as part of the Gerald R. Ford PresidentialFoundation’s 2011 William E. Simon Lecture in Public Affairs,which was sponsored by Thomas M. Cooley Law School’sKrinock Lecture Series. Nominated to the Supreme Court byPresident Gerald R. Ford, Justice Stevens took his seat as anAssociate Supreme Court Justice on December 19, 1975, and retired on June 29, 2010.

President Ford’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales, introduced JusticeStevens to a full room of more than 700 attendees in the AmwayGrand Plaza Hotel’s Ambassador Ballroom. In attendance, withcommunity leaders and those from the legal profession, were 45Cooley Law School students. Justice Stevens’ speech carried twocentral themes: President Ford’s impact on the Supreme Courtdecision involving the University of Michigan’s affirmative actionprogram and the decision made by President Ford to appointEdward Levi as his attorney general.

Pictured from left to right: Justice Stevens, Cooley AssociateProfessor Devin Schindler, and Cooley President and Dean Don LeDuc.

AuDrA A. FoSTer

– President

Fellows Class, 1997Auburn Hills, MI

HeLeN M. HAeSSLy

– Vice President

Cushing Class, 2000Howell, MI

CHArLeS D. DooLITTLe

– Secretary

Sherwood Class, 1986Grand Rapids, MI

ALeCIA M. ruSwINCKeL

– Immediate Past President

Swainson Class, 2003Lansing, MI

LArA J. eDeLSTeIN

– Executive Committee

Steere Class, 1995Miami, FL

SHAroN A. eLLIS


North Class, 1980Williamston, MI

ALANA M. GLASS


Fitzgerald Class, 2006Auburn Hills, MI

PATrICK S. GrIFFIN


Riley Class, 2009Washington, DC

roNALD A. GrIM


Flannigan Class, 1999Mason, MI

SuSANNe e. HArrIS


Carpenter Class, 1993Lansing, MI

SANDy D. MILMeD


Sharpe Class, 1998Tampa, FL

STeveN C. FANTeTTI

– Board Member

Chipman Class, 2011Riverview, FL

ProF. JuDITH A. FrANK

– Board Member

Mundy Class, 1986Lansing, MI

ANDrew GozINSKy

– Board Member

Carpenter Class, 1993Old Bethpage, NY

ALeTHA L. HoNSowITz

– Board Member

Witherell Class, 1990Grand Rapids, MI

LAwreNCe J. KISH

– Board Member

Marston Class, 1978Lansing, MI

LAurA I. MArJI

– Board Member

Woodward Class, 2010Mount Clemens, MI

KATHy A. MArTIN

– Board Member

Weadock Class, 1999Newton, NJ

ToM C. roMBACH

– Board Member

Morse Class, 1987New Baltimore, MI

DIANe M. SMITH

– Board Member

North Class, 1980Lansing, MI

PAMeLA HeoS

– Executive Secretary/Treasurer

Cooley Law [email protected](517) 371-5140, ext. 2014Lansing, MI

Cooley Law SchoolAlumni Associationannounces NationalAlumni BoardThe Cooley Alumni Association has elected new leadership fromaround the nation to its National Alumni Board for 2011-12.Cooley salutes these graduates who give so generously of theirtime to promote stronger relations between the alumni, students,and the law school itself.

SCHOOLS ARE BIG WINNERSRUNNING THE COOLEY 5K RACE FOR EDUCATIONCooley Law School congratulates the School Competition winners and all the luckyproceeds winners of the Cooley 5K Race for Education! The Cooley 5K Race forEducation and Capital City River Run Half Marathon are part of a weekend of activi-ties that showcase the best of the greater Lansing area and bring together thousandsof runners and walkers in support of education.

Schools can win in two ways. First, through Race Proceeds - any person who turns ina paid Cooley 5K race entry form is eligible to win money for his or her school justby nominating a favorite school on the form. Second, schools have an opportunity towin money through a School Competition. Cooley Law School distributes SchoolCompetition Awards, three deep, to the schools with the most nominations.

COOLEY 5K RACE PROCEED WINNERS50% winner: $5,000 to Dewitt High School, Dewitt, MI

25% winner: $2,500 to Holt Horizon elementary, Holt, MI

10% winner: $1,000 to williamston High School, williamston, MI

10% winner: $1,000 to Holt High School, Holt, MI

5% winner: $500 to waverly High School, Lansing, MI

COOLEY SCHOOL COMPETION AWARDS1st Place: $1,000; Pinecrest elementary School, east Lansing, MI

2nd Place: $750; Sexton High School, Lansing, MI

3rd Place: $500; Horizon elementary School, Holt, MI

JOIN NOW!

alumni matters

The Cooley Alumni Association keeps its

members involved in the life of the law

school through stronger connections,

participation in activities and programs,

and improved service to alumni, students,

and the school.

The Alumni Association will continue

to develop and promote activities in many

states across the nation so that, wherever

you may be, you are not far from a Coo-

ley event.

To learn about upcoming events

in your area or for more information,

contact the Alumni Office at

800-243-ALUM or [email protected].

Non ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

P A I DLansing, MI

Permit No. 241

300 South Capitol Ave.P.O. Box 13038

Lansing, MI 48901

Change Service Requested

Alumni Office Hosts

ALASKA CRUISEMay 10-18, 2012

7-Day Alaska Cruise

Royal Caribbean International®

Join Cooley alumni, faculty and staff on a sightseeing tour of Seattle and cruise Alaska’sInside Passage. Stops in Juneau, the capital of Alaska, Skagway, AK, and Victoria, BC.

Visit cooley.edu/alumni for more info and details.

Fall 2011 Benchmark Alumni Magazine

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