contents
THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL BENCHMARK TRINITY 2006 VOLUME XXVIII NO. 2
Cooley’s branch campuses are “a win-win”
for both Cooley and the residents of Grand
Rapids and Oakland County.
features
more dreams will come true
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6
8
10
12
13
Cooley Law School now has established full,
three-year Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree programs at
its campuses in Grand Rapids and Rochester/
Oakland University.
a great loss
Cooley Law School lost one of the founding
members of its academic family this year with
the passing of John Warner Fitzgerald on
Friday, July 7, 2006.
disability income insurance
Disability income insurance is so important,
precisely because so much is riding on your ability
to earn your income, year in and year out.
cooley treats local kids
Thomas M. Cooley Law School treated about 500
area children to lunch and a minor league baseball
game as part of this year’s Cooley for Kids event.
your gifts are important
Since 1972, the faculty and staff of Cooley Law
school news
14
18
19
21
student awards
graduation highlights
graduates: edwards class
faculty briefs
alumni matters
24
24
30
letter from the alumni president
alumni news
class notes
School have led the way in the classroom, research,
and administration.
100 years of dedication
Cooley is saddened to announce the death of Harriet
E. Gair, a prominent New York lawyer, a 1985
recipient of a Doctor of Laws honoris causa degree
from Cooley, and a leading Cooley benefactor.
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
1
feature
More Career Dreams
Will Come True
Students Can Now Earn A J.D. Degree At Any Cooley Campus
Founded in 1972, it’s the largest law school in the country,
the only accredited law school with three branch locations,
the only year-around program in the country for 30 years.
More career dreams will come true now that Cooley
Law School has received the green light from the
American Bar Association (ABA) to establish full,
three-year Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree programs at its
campuses in downtown Grand Rapids and Rochester/
Oakland University. Students will be able to earn their
J.D. degree at those locations without the necessity of
commuting to Cooley’s Lansing campus to complete
their course work. Previously, Cooley was authorized
to offer 15 of the 90 required credits at the Grand
Rapids and Oakland University locations.
Implementation of the full programs began with the
term that got underway in September and, according to
Cooley President and Dean Don LeDuc, so far things are
going well. “Getting started is one thing and now we’re
looking forward to the challenge of making this work,”
he said.
Of course, Thomas M. Cooley Law School has a proud
history of making things work well. Founded in 1972,
it’s the largest law school in the country, the only
accredited law school with three branch locations, the
only year-around program in the country for 30 years,
and the only law school with close ties to two Carnegierated research universities — Oakland University (OU)
and Western Michigan University (WMU).
Thomas W. Cranmer, who was president of the State
Bar of Michigan when the ABA-approval was announced,
said that Cooley’s branch campuses are “a win-win”
for both Cooley and the residents of Grand Rapids and
Oakland County. “One of our goals at the State Bar is to
help ensure that everyone, regardless of their economic
status, has equal access to the legal system. Cooley’s
clinical programs will help provide individuals who otherwise would not be able to afford legal representation
access to justice.”
Grand Rapids Leaders Praise School
This enthusiasm is shared by other leaders in the
legal and academic communities.
Law students, faculty and staff, and community
leaders in Grand Rapids are definitely excited
about the implementation of the full degree
program there, Marion M. Hilligan, associate dean
Paul T. Sorensen, president of the Grand Rapids
of Cooley’s Grand Rapids campus’ said. “This
Bar Association and a visiting professor at Cooley
will benefit both traditional and nontraditional
Law School in Grand Rapids, said that “having a
students and make it easier for them to plan their
full three-year program at Cooley’s Grand Rapids
life,” she said. The excitement caused by the new
campus creates a great benefit to the community,
program is reflected in Grand Rapids’ September
the local bar, and all those law students for whom
class enrollment of 100 incoming students, a
attending classes here will be much more
significant increase from previous fall terms. Total
convenient. The Grand Rapids Bar Association
current enrollment at the Grand Rapids campus
(GRBA) has already worked very closely with the
is 300 students. “We’ve never doubted the need
law school on many projects, and the law school’s
for a law school in west Michigan,” Hilligan said.
greater presence here now will allow us to do
“This is just the beginning of our mission to bring
even more together. The GRBA has a special
first-rate, practical legal education to west
section for law students and as the law school’s
Michigan and beyond.”
program here has expanded we have seen
tremendous growth in that section.”
Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids opened its
doors in 2003. The renovation of the beautiful
Sorensen also said that the Grand Rapids Bar
Law Center building at 111 Commerce SW in the
Association wants to offer law students opportuni-
city’s historic Heartside District was completed
ties to interact with practicing lawyers. “Our bar
recently. The Law Center is the hub of student
association is very grateful for the support we
activities and classes, housing the law library,
have received from Cooley, and we look forward
faculty and administrative offices, large and small
to a mutually rewarding relationship in the years
classrooms, courtrooms, student organizations’
to come.”
offices and a student lounge.
Dr. Darrell Johnson, dean of extended university
President LeDuc said. “We appreciate the area’s
programs for Western Michigan University, said,
strong welcome and support and look forward
“We are delighted to continue growing together
to the continued growth of our campus in the
in this exciting venture. This only enhances the
months and years to come.”
great relationship we share with Cooley.” It’s
possible for students to obtain both a Master of
Public Administration and a Juris Doctor degree
through the partnership between Cooley Law
School and Western Michigan University’s School
of Public Affairs and Administration. The program
enables students to expedite the completion of
the requirements for both degrees by eliminating
duplicative course work.
Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell praised
Cooley Law School and the expansion to a full
degree program at the campus. “Cooley Law
School is the latest addition to the rich fabric of
“The downtown Grand Rapids campus has been a
significant factor in the urban renaissance and
revitalization of the Heartside District.”
higher education institutions that call downtown
Grand Rapids home. The ability to obtain a J.D.
degree in Grand Rapids is hugely important to our
citizens and will attract others from around the
Midwest to study law in Grand Rapids,” he said.
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
3
Warm Welcome Given in
Metropolitan Detroit
family responsibilities who cannot attend law
There is also plenty of excitement at Cooley’s Oakland
University campus over the availability of the full
degree program.
communities in the Detroit area.”
“The ability of our students to take all 90 credits at
degree program at Cooley’s OU campus. “We
the Oakland University campus means that they can
can really develop the pro bono and clinical
now take full advantage of the opportunity to focus on
opportunities that our students want and need,
their studies and to interact with the faculty, staff, and
which will help the less fortunate,” Nussbaumer
their fellow students here at OU on a daily basis, and
explained. “We are already working on things
can help us create a real law school community, which
like mentoring programs for at-risk high school
was much harder to do when everyone was on the
students in Pontiac and clinical programs for
road back-and-forth to Lansing,” John Nussbaumer,
senior citizens and victims of domestic violence
associate dean of Cooley’s OU campus, said. “We
that will touch the lives of those in need.”
are already seeing this in the increased student traffic
on the faculty floor in O’Dowd Hall, the number of
students studying in the library, the renewed interest
being shown in student organizations, and the turnouts
for our Career and Professional Development
school full-time, and people from the many diverse
The less fortunate in the metropolitan Detroit
area also are expected to benefit from the full
“We can really develop the pro bono and clinical
opportunities that our students want and need,
which will help the less fortunate.”
programs,” he added.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson
Nussbaumer also said it means that Cooley’s OU-
expressed congratulations on behalf of Oakland
based students “can for the first time take full advan-
County government and himself for the establish-
tage” of their J.D.-L.L.M. programs in taxation and
ment of the full degree program at the OU
intellectual property and their new M.B.A.-J.D. and
campus. “Please know that I am an enthusiastic
M.P.A.-J.D. degree partnership agreements with
supporter of Cooley’s presence on the OU cam-
Oakland University. “We expect these programs to
pus and in Oakland County,” he stated in a letter
grow as our partnership with OU develops, particularly
to Dean Nussbaumer. “Our judicial system and law
in the area of business incubation and start-up here in
enforcement operations will certainly be enhanced
Automation Alley,” he said.
by your extended presence here, and our citizens
The biggest impact on the metropolitan Detroit area,
Nussbaumer said, “will be the increased opportunities
for people from all walks of life to pursue the dream of
earning a law degree, particularly people with job or
will benefit from the clinical programs you plan to
offer. County government looks forward to
partnering with Cooley, just as we have with
OU,” Patterson wrote.
The news about the full degree program also
made Oakland University President Gary Russi
happy. “We’re pleased that area students can
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BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
Students can now take full advantage of the opportunity to focus
on their studies and to interact with the faculty, staff, and their
fellow students here at OU on a daily basis.
now get their law degree at Cooley’s Oakland
Cooley Continues to Excel
University campus,” he said. “By making a
Cooley Law School also recently completed a major
expansion and renovation of its Lansing campus and
now has more than 400,000 square feet of space in
service. There are 3,000 students enrolled there.
complete legal education available to area residents,
we are providing accessibility to an advanced
degree program that has not previously been
available in this region.”
Cooley’s rolling admissions system that accepts
Oakland University Vice President for Academic
students and begins incoming classes three times a
Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil said, “This
year; the ability of Cooley students to earn a law
program not only provides area residents with a
degree by taking classes part-time, full-time, or just
chance to get their law degree, it also provides
on the weekends; the high quality of its faculty and
additional opportunities for OU students and
programs; and now the ability to earn a J.D. degree
professional development opportunities for OU
at any of its three campuses can be expected to
faculty and staff. This is another example of a
continue to draw increased numbers of students.
partnership grounded in our core value of
academic excellence.”
2006 has certainly been an outstanding year for
Thomas M. Cooley Law School. In addition to being
The current enrollment at Cooley’s OU campus,
able to offer the full degree program at all three
which first offered classes in 2002, is 435 students.
campuses, the American Bar Association in August
The facilities, which are centrally located in O’Dowd
selected Cooley as a winner of the E. Smythe
Hall on OU’s main campus, include a full law school
Gambrell Professionalism Award. The ABA noted
library, a computer lab, large and small classrooms,
in its award that Cooley was chosen for “outstand-
all served by a wireless computer network, plus
ing achievement in the design and implementation
offices for faculty, administrators, and staff. They
of a model professionalism program.”
also include two high-tech, 40-seat classrooms
with cross-campus videoconferencing capability
to connect all three of Cooley’s campuses. The
future at this Cooley branch is so bright that
Cooley officials have begun discussions with OU
leaders regarding a permanent new facility on
their campus.
The Higher Learning Commission - North Central
Association also granted the school continuing
accreditation for the next 10 years. The commission team that visited the school said in its report:
“The Thomas M. Cooley Law School is a quality
institution that is grounded in its mission. The
school has a clear sense of what it is and where
it’s going.”
“The Thomas M. Cooley Law School is a quality institution that
is grounded in its mission. The school has a clear sense of what
it is and where it’s going.”
With this rich tradition of excellence in legal education and outstanding service to both students and
communities, Thomas M. Cooley Law School can
be expected to set new benchmarks in the years
ahead. With this rich tradition of excellence in legal
education and outstanding service to both students
and communities, Thomas M. Cooley Law School
can be expected to set new benchmarks in the
years ahead.
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
5
feature
JohnWarner Fitzgerald
AGreat Loss to the 1924 - 2006
Cooley Community
Cooley Law School lost one of the founding members
of its academic family this year with the passing of
former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice
John Warner Fitzgerald on Friday, July 7, 2006.
Justice Fitzgerald taught the very first class at the brand
After graduating from law school, Justice Fitzgerald
new Thomas M. Cooley Law School on January 13,
went to work as legal counsel for the Michigan Senate.
1973. He was a founding member of the Cooley Board
In 1958, he was elected to the Senate. Justice Fitzgerald
of Directors, a former state senator, and an original
practiced law in the firm of Fitzgerald & Wirbel through
member of the Michigan Court of Appeals.
1964, when he was elected to the first Michigan Court
Justice John W. Fitzgerald was born in Grand Ledge,
of Appeals. He served on that court until his appoint-
Mich., on Nov. 24, 1924. His father was twice Michigan
ment by Gov. William Milliken to the Michigan Supreme
Secretary of State and twice governor of the state of
Court in 1973 for a one-year term. He was subsequently
Michigan in the 1930s and his grandfather served in the
elected to the Michigan Supreme Court to an eight-year
Michigan legislature in the 1890s.
term. In 1982, he was named as Chief Justice.
Justice Fitzgerald graduated from Grand Ledge High
For 34 years, Justice Fitzgerald was affiliated with the
School in 1942, Michigan State University in 1947, and
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, first as a board member
the University of Michigan Law School in 1954. During
and then as a professor of Property. At Cooley, classes
World War II, Justice Fitzgerald served in the U.S.
are named for distinguished jurists. The class which
Army.
began its studies in September 2003 and graduated in
Justice Fitzgerald met his wife, Lorabeth Moore of
September 2006 was named for Justice Fitzgerald.
Hillsdale, while both were working at Michigan State
Longtime friends and colleagues of Justice Fitzgerald
University. They married June 6, 1953. The Fitzgeralds
spoke out at his memorial service.
raised three sons, Frank Moore, Eric Stiles, and Adam
Cooley Emeritus Professor Otto Stockmeyer first met
Warner.
him as a legislative intern in the summer of 1963 when
Justice Fitzgerald chaired the Michigan Senate Business
6
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
Committee. When Justice Fitzgerald was elected as one
everyone in government service should be, setting
of the original nine judges of the Court of Appeals in the
unparalleled standards in professionalism and ethics.”
fall of 1964, he took Professor Stockmeyer along as his
Phillips also recalled the words of former Michigan Chief
first law clerk. Years later they ended up teaching
Justice Thomas Brennan, founder of Cooley Law School.
together at Cooley.
At Justice Fitzgerald’s Supreme Court Robing
“What I remember most about the 1964 election was
Ceremony, Phillips said Justice Brennan described Justice
John’s amazing ability to generate press coverage,”
Fitzgerald as “a gentle man, whose calm, pleasant
Stockmeyer recalled. “Wherever he went, John was
demeanor and good-humored wit would engender an
able to generate a news story.”
ambience of goodwill and collegiality, complementing his
And the stories were all positive. “Throughout his life,
keen intellect and thoughtful judgment.”
John enjoyed a warm relationship with the press,”
Justice Fitzgerald was known for his legal work as well.
Stockmeyer recalled. “I cannot recall ever reading a
Recalled Stockmeyer, “John’s judicial opinions were
“ ”
“We can all share his legacy by living our lives as he did — by treating
others the way we would like to be treated. We are better people and
the world is a better place for Judge Fitzgerald’s having been with us.”
negative article about him of anything he did or said.”
exquisitely crafted, as well as influential. No less than
Justice Fitzgerald inspired friendship and respect among
six of his opinions, some written while on the Court of
all those he met.
Appeals and others as a Supreme Court Justice, were
Cooley Professor Ernest Phillips, who served as Justice
Fitzgerald’s law clerk on both the Court of Appeals and
reprinted as leading opinions nationally by the editors
of American Law Reports.”
the Michigan Supreme Court, noted that his former boss
Justice Fitzgerald was revered by both his colleagues
was a “man of considerable substance and uncommon
and students.
grace.” He added that each of Justice Fitzgerald’s former
“He was,” recalled Phillips, “without exception,
clerks at the service appreciated “the rare and wonder-
universally loved and respected. Many of his former
ful opportunity we had to learn from him … We learned
students have told me, time and time again, of their
not only about the law, but how to treat people with
fondness and admiration for him. He was just a
courtesy and respect … (how to) disagree without being
wonderful colleague to have.”
disagreeable.”
Justice Fitzgerald will be missed, Phillips said, but his
Phillips recalled that former Michigan Chief Justice
inspiration lives on.
Thomas Giles Kavanagh referred to Justice Fitzgerald as
“His wit and optimism enabled him to view the world as
“a paragon of civility.”
a celebration to be enjoyed rather than an ordeal to be
“We learned much from this gentle master,” Phillips said
endured. We can all share his legacy by living our lives as
of Justice Fitzgerald, “and for this we are grateful.”
he did — by treating others the way we would like to be
Phillips noted that Cooley President Don LeDuc charac-
treated. We are better people and the world is a better
terized Justice Fitzgerald as “a shining example of what
place for Judge Fitzgerald’s having been with us.”
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
7
Disability
Income Insurance:
What Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know
By Andrew P. Gozinsky (Carpenter Class, 1993)
No matter how much of yourself you put into your business, chances are you work for the
money as well as for the personal satisfaction of helping your clients with their various legal
needs. Your income helps meet daily expenses and, in addition, helps you save for goals,
such as the down payment on a house, college tuition, and expansion of your business or
a comfortable retirement.
Disability income insurance is so important, precisely because so much is riding on your
ability to earn your income, year in and year out. And no matter how young or healthy
you are, you are at risk of becoming disabled at some point in your life.
Consider the statistics:
•
•
As a business owner, you must also protect the source
of your income: the business you’ve worked so hard to
If you’re under age 35, chances are one in three that you will be disabled for at least
establish and grow. Special policies, available from the
six months during the course of your career.
same DI providers who offer high quality individual cover-
Men have a 43 percent chance of becoming seriously disabled during their working
years. Women have a 54 percent chance.
•
Protecting your business, as well as
yourself
At age 42, it is four times more likely that you will become seriously disabled than
die during your working years.
age, offer your business protection while you recover
from a disability.
To help meet the expenses of running the office while you
are disabled, consider a separate type of disability coverage
known as Business Overhead Expense or BOE. Benefits
Speaking the lingo
reimburse business owners for expenses such as office rent,
The right disability policy can help you keep your household going, even if you suffer a
electricity, heat, telephone, and utilities, as well as interest
long-term disability. But before you go shopping for a DI policy, you need to know what
on debts and lease payments on furniture and equipment.
features to look for — and the language the insurance industry uses to describe them. The
In addition, business owners who are in a partnership or
following terms are part of the language describing high-quality policies, and are what you
have co-owners will want to consider a policy known as
should look for to get coverage you can count on:
Disability Buy-Out or DBO. In much the same way that life
•
Non-cancellable: To avoid the possibility of losing your coverage just when you need
insurance benefits can be set aside to fund a buy-out by the
it most;
remaining partner if the other partner dies, this type of poli-
•
•
Guaranteed renewable: with premiums guaranteed until age 65;
disabled partner’s share of the business. With the proper
Renewable for life: Although premiums may increase after age 65, your policy should
be conditionally renewable for life, as long as you are at work full time;
•
“Own Occ:” Own occupation coverage defines being “totally disabled”— and therefore
eligible for benefits — as not able to work in your own occupation even if you are at
work in some other capacity;
•
cy is designed to fund the healthy partner’s purchase of the
A choice of “riders:” Riders offer optional additional coverage such as Residual
Disability, Future Increase Option, and Cost of Living or “COLA.”
To find policies that offer all these features, look for a reputable company with a history of
experience in the DI business.
agreement in place before disability occurs, hard feelings and
the conflicts of interest that result from a partner’s
disability can be avoided.
Furthermore, in combination with the disabled partner’s
individual Disability Income coverage, a DBO policy can allow
the business to continue to generate an income for the healthy
partner – while the disabled partner is supported by the
benefits from his/her individual DI policy. The fact is, as part
of your overall business planning, you owe it to yourself to
look into protection for the one thing that makes all the
other planning possible: your ability to earn an income.
Andrew P. Gozinsky, can be reached at (516) 677-6256,
or by e-mail at [email protected]. His firm,
Alumni Benefits Group, 80 Crossways Park West,
Woodbury, NY 11797.
Disability income products underwritten and issued by
Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America,
Pittsfield, MA, a wholly owned stock subsidiary of The
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
(Guardian), New York, NY. Products not available in all
states. Innovative Planning Services, Inc. is a general agency of
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, NY, NY.
As part of your overall business planning,
you owe it to yourself to look into
protection for the one thing that
makes all the other planning
possible: your ability
to earn an income.
feature
The alumni association raises its Cooley for Kids funds by selling holiday
wreaths each Michaelmas term.
Cooley Treats Local Kids
by Amanda York
Cooley Student
to be exposed to and for one reason or
Thomas M. Cooley Law School treated
with their family.”
about 500 area children to lunch and a
Terry Carella, director of communications
minor league baseball game as part of this
at Cooley, said the school had sponsored
year’s Cooley for Kids event. Each year the
the event for at least six years. “We did it
law school sponsors Cooley for Kids, where
because we wanted to do something for the
the school provides money to send children
community and for kids,” Carella said. The
affiliated with Lansing Parks and Recreation
money comes from the Student Bar
to a Lansing Lugnuts game at Oldsmobile
Association, the Alumni Association, and
Park. The children watch a minor league
from faculty and staff at the law school.
baseball game, eat lunch, and participate in
a parade around the baseball field.
This year the SBA chipped in $1,000, the
Cooley Alumni Association contributed
This year’s event took place Aug. 2.
$1,612.50, and faculty and staff provided
Attendance was down slightly because of the
another $1,676. The alumni association
soaring temperatures that gripped parts of
raises its Cooley for Kids funds by selling
the Midwest this summer. “It was during the
holiday wreaths each Michaelmas term, said
middle of a heat wave here,” said Brett
Darryl Parsell, Cooley’s Director of Alumni
Kaschinske, manager of leisure services for
Relations. “The alumni want students to
Lansing Parks and Recreation. “That held
know that alumni donations are supporting
back a few people.” Children who participat-
student activities that are important to our
ed ranged from five to 12 years old and were
community,” Parsell said.
enrolled in the summer playground program
through Lansing Parks and Recreation. The
program provides activities and field trips for
children during the summer months.
SBA Vice President Caycie Dix helped organize the event. Dix said the children weren’t
the only ones who enjoyed the day. “I really
enjoyed it,” Dix said. “I always love working
Kaschinske said Cooley for Kids counts as a
with kids, and it was good to hang out with
field trip for the children and a way for them
the kids and take a study break.”
to explore their hometown. “Sometimes you
need to be a tourist in your own town,”
Kaschinske said. “You go all over to vacation
and do fun stuff and a lot of times there is
great stuff in their backyard that they need
10
another may not have been able to get there
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
Alumni Mentors Needed
For Current Students and
Recent Graduates
Thomas M. Cooley Law School offers a mentoring service, matching
current students and recent graduates with experienced attorneys. You
can be a wonderful partner for a new friend from Cooley in several ways.
You may mentor a first-year law student to give that person advice, and
encouragement in their career. You can also help a senior level student or
new graduate who is entering a new professional environment and is
looking for your help as they start their career.
Mentoring makes a direct impact on students’ futures. As a mentor,
you'll help law students as they establish their careers. You’ll provide the
students with a contact in the legal community who has an expressed
willingness to give them time and answers to questions about law school,
the legal field, and the professional environment.
In turn, as a mentor you'll benefit knowing that you’ll be helping new,
up-and-coming lawyers by giving them the benefit of your experience and
contacts. Through mentoring you'll build personal relationships with those
who will be your peers in practice. Most importantly, mentoring allows
you to give back to the legal community.
Mentor Heather Burns noted, “I want to let you know about a mentoring
program success story. You may see in your records that about three years
ago, a fellow graduate, Jill Robertson, was assigned to me as my mentee.
She was from Michigan but really wanted to move to New York City to
work in corporate law.
“I met with her for lunch when she was visiting the city twice. She
eventually took the New York bar, passed it and moved to New York.
We stayed in touch over her first year and a half in the city. A position in
my group opened up and we wound up hiring her! She has now been
with Citigroup Trust for two years and has proven to be a valuable asset
to the company.
“This just goes to show that the mentoring program really works. I’m
grateful for the mentoring program bringing us together. So, thank you!
If you ever see any more good fits for me, just let me know. I'd be happy
to continue to participate in the program.”
Please volunteer for the Alumni Mentor Program by going to
http://www.cooley.edu/alumni/alumnimentor.htm on the Cooley
website, or call the Cooley Alumni Relations Office at (800) 243-ALUM
for additional information.
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
11
feature
Your Gifts Are Important to Cooley
By Thomas M. Garikes, Director of Development
Why is your gift important?
A Special Gift
The Melissa Mitchell
Memorial Scholarship
Fund is now a reality.
Since 1972, the faculty and staff of Cooley
Law School have led the way in the classroom, research, and administration.
Cooley’s academic tradition of excellence
continues to teach students the knowledge,
The future is indeed bright, and we are
skills, and ethics needed to be a success in
grateful to our community of donors and
the law and a valuable member of society.
alumni who believe in Thomas M. Cooley Law
Cooley has developed a legal education cur-
School and the promise of an excellent legal
riculum and program designed to prepare
education. Through your thoughtfulness and
its students for the practice of law through
generous support, we can now announce
experienced-based teaching lawyer skills.
that the Melissa Mitchell Memorial
Tomorrow’s leaders learn from today’s leaders, and it
is vitally important to support the education of our
next generation of leaders.
In August of 2005, a small group of
individuals decided to make a difference in
memory of a former Cooley student who
Students learn to apply legal theory to situations
officials, public interest law providers,
touched many lives in a very special way.
they may encounter as practicing attorneys. As
corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs while
That student was Melissa Mitchell, a member
part of Cooley’s Professionalism Plan, Cooley
enhancing the legal profession as a whole.
of the 2003 Swainson Class. A campaign to
students are also taught the professionalism
Private support of a private institution is
establish a scholarship in Melissa’s memory
principles adopted by the Cooley Law School
more than a tradition — it is critical to
was inaugurated with a financial goal of
community.
increasing the stature of Cooley Law School.
$25,000. The Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Cooley is also committed to providing a legal
Providing for the future requires greater
Development Office is happy to announce
education to people from all walks of life.
resources than tuition alone.
that we have received a total of $21,000
Cooley is proud of its diverse national and
The support by graduates and others for the
international student body where students,
common good is one of the most vital princi-
through fair and objective admission policies,
ples of our society and our legal community.
To those readers who wish to make a
have the opportunity to learn the law.
Support for private education must increase
donation to the Melissa Mitchell Memorial
Cooley is a young law school, and participation
if the next generation of lawyers is to be able
Scholarship Fund, please contact the
is key to building a tradition of philanthropy.
to serve the community and the profession.
Development Office at (517) 371-5140,
Every gift makes a difference. It is your
Philanthropy, so distinctly American,
participation and giving, year after year, that
improves the human condition. Philanthropic
is important. When more of Cooley’s alumni
support of education immeasurably benefits
and friends give, it demonstrates to prospec-
everyone. Your support of Cooley Law
tive students, employers, and donors that
School is key to our quest of providing a high
those people who are closest to the law school
quality legal education to all our students.
value Cooley’s contribution to their lives, trust
Tomorrow’s leaders learn from today’s lead-
in its leadership, and believe in its future.
ers, and it is vitally important to support the
Each year, alumni and friends express their
education of our next generation of leaders.
loyalty and interests in the people and pro-
“One person can make a difference, and every
grams of Cooley Law School. The financial
person must.” President John F. Kennedy
contributions of graduates and friends of
Cooley Law School support the next
generation of attorneys, judges, elected
12
Scholarship Fund is now a reality.
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
toward our goal as well as an estate planning
gift for the future of this scholarship.
ext. 2045 or e-mail Tom Garikes at
[email protected]. Your gift is important
because it will make a difference in the lives
of Cooley students who dream of making a
difference. Melissa Mitchell made a difference.
“If you want to lift
yourself up, lift up
someone else.”
Booker T. Washington
feature
Harriet Gair
Lawyer, Humanitarian, Businesswoman,
and Devoted Mother
By Don LeDuc, President and Dean
collected as president of that library’s Board of
Trustees. Mrs. Gair was also president and
director of the Mid-Hudson Library Association,
which encompassed about 60 libraries in the
Mid-Hudson area and experienced unprecedented growth during her tenure.
I am saddened to announce
Mrs. Gair knew the importance of an education.
the death of Harriet E. Gair, a
She completed her own education after many
prominent New York lawyer,
years of working to support herself and her
a 1985 recipient of a Doctor
family as a stenographer and law clerk, which
of Laws honoris causa degree
she began while in high school and continued
from Cooley, and a leading
important causes.
Throughout her 100 years, Mrs. Gair was
a leader in the profession and a significant
sponsor of many important causes.
Mrs. Gair received her B.A. degree from New York
through her undergraduate and law school
University and, in 1940, her LL.B. from New York
years at NYU. Knowing how limited opportuni-
University School of Law, where she was one of
ties in the law were for women in those days,
the first women to graduate. Later, she became a
Mrs. Gair actively worked to help develop the
partner in the firm of Gair & Gair along with her
careers of numerous young women, serving as a
husband, Harry A. Gair, who was the dean of the
conscious role model, sponsor, and counselor to
negligence bar in New York.
many who, though starting out as messengers
In addition to her work in private practice, which
or secretaries, later went on to become lawyers
included full management of the law firm, Harriet
in their own right.
Gair was devoted to the public, to her community,
Mrs. Gair remained involved in education
to the advancement of women, and to her faith.
throughout her 40-year career in the bar. She
Cooley benefactor.
Throughout her 100 years, Mrs. Gair was a leader
in the profession and significant sponsor of many
was a director of the NYU Law School Alumni
Harriet Gair was devoted to the public,
to her community, to the advancement of
women, and to her faith.
Association and the Board of Governors of the
New York University Law Review. Mrs. Gair
also devoted great effort to a number of worthy
Jewish causes and Jewish jurisprudence, and was
She served as president of the New York City
honored for her work by such institutions as the
Women’s Bar Association, and member of the New
Institute for Jewish Humanities.
York State Women’s Bar Association, the
Throughout her career as lawyer, judge,
Metropolitan Women’s Bar Association, the
public servant, and community leader, Mrs.
National Association of Women Lawyers, and the
Gair and her husband also managed to raise
Jewish Lawyers Guild, in addition to her member-
a family of six children, Donald, Elwood,
ship in many other national, state, local, and spe-
Barbara, Joyce, and twins, Roger and Anthony.
cialty bar associations. She was a member of the
Through her family came her connection to
town board of Putnam Valley and, in the late
Cooley. Son Anthony, a cum laude graduate of
1970s, was elected Town Justice of the town of
the 1980 Potter Class, served on Cooley’s
Putnam Valley, where she served on the bench
board of directors from 1992 to 2004. Her
with distinction.
grandson and Anthony’s son, Daniel A. Gair, is
A lover of literature, Mrs. Gair single-handedly
a 1996 graduate of the Stone Class at Cooley.
created the Putnam Valley Free Library, going
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Tony,
so far as to purchase and donate to the city the
Daniel, and all the rest of the Gair family.
building that housed the books she caused to be
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
13
school news
student awards
Alumni President Britt
Grants Distinguished
Student Awards for the
Fitzgerald Class
Esser’s reaction to winning the award was that
“this award is not just another notch on the
résumé, it represents something much greater —
respect from a group of people I have looked up
to my entire law school career. I am honored to
Cooley Students and Alumni Get
Acquainted at May Lansing Mixer
Cooley Law School and the Alumni Special
Events Committee hosted an alumni reception
and student mixer at the Lansing campus on May
The faculty, staff, and students of Cooley Law
be associated with some of the most brilliant and
School gathered in the auditorium on July 21 for
sincere people I have ever had the pleasure of
the Honors Convocation of Trinity Term 2006.
meeting.”
Alumni Association President Diane J. Britt
She went on to say that “I have never thought of
hosts Alumni Association President Diane Britt
(Chandler Class, 1983) was on hand to grant the
myself as a distinguished student and all that
(Chandler Class, 1983), Special Events
Distinguished Student Award to Lisa Esser and
entails, but rather, just another person trying to
Committee Chair Aletha L. Honsowitz (Witherell
Diea Kroulik of the graduating John W.
find their place. When asked about my academic
Class, 1990), and Alumni Relations Director
Fitzgerald Class.
accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and
Darryl Parsell (Wiest Class, 1979) for the
The 16 students nominated for this term’s
leadership in my interview with Mr. Parsell, I had
evening in the Cooley Center.
Distinguished Student Award furnished a variety
to rack my brain because I have never done any
of information, including résumés and letters of
of those things for the purpose of getting an
reference that were reviewed by the executive
award or recognition; rather, I did them to meet
committee. Nominees were also personally inter-
a lot of amazing people along the way. Thanks
viewed as part of the selection process. Members
again!”
of each graduating class were evaluated on the
Fitzgerald Class Distinguished Student Diea
criteria of character, academic accomplishment,
Kroulik will sit for the February 2007 Florida bar
leadership, and extracurricular activities in the
examination. Kroulik would like to work at her
decision to grant the Distinguished Student
externship location in Boca Raton, Fla., at
Award.
McClosky, D’Anna & Dieterle, L.L.P., focusing on
Fitzgerald Class Distinguished Student Lisa Esser
commercial litigation. Eventually, Kroulik plans to
will sit for the February 2007 Michigan Bar
become a partner in the firm, continuing her
Examination. Esser is seeking a position at her
practice in corporate and commercial law, and
externship location, the Southfield law firm of
performing pro bono service in family law.
Sommers Schwartz Silver & Schwartz, P.C., or at
The alumni association is proud and pleased to
association and Cooley continue to provide
the Federal Defender’s Office. Later in her
give recognition to these outstanding members
opportunities for graduates, share their law
career, Esser would like to become a judge on
of the Fitzgerald Class and extends its best wish-
school experiences with current students, learn of
the Michigan Court of Appeals.
es for their continuing success.
the issues and challenges facing today’s law
23. One hundred forty-three guests, including
Cooley faculty, staff, graduates from the midMichigan area, and current students joined co-
Alumni President Britt said she “felt the group
was energized and enjoying the opportunity to
get together. The setting was conducive to conversations between alumni and students, as people could move freely through the area to talk
with each other.”
Special Events Chair Honsowitz said that her
committee was “happy to sponsor mixers that
bring students and alumni together. The mixers
provide students the opportunity to meet and
begin networking with practicing attorneys that
share the common experience of being graduates
of Cooley. For alumni, it is an opportunity to meet
up with former classmates; learn how the alumni
1. From left, Lisa Esser receives the Distinguished Student Award from Alumni President Diane Britt. 2. Diea Kroulik, Distinguished Student Award Winner. 3. From left, Associate Dean of Enrollment &
Student Services Paul Zelinski, and Leadership Achievement Award winners Jacqueline Alexander and Robyn Bass.
14
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
school news
1. From left, Kristin Heyse, Laurie Hrydziuszko, and Douglas Meeks at the Lansing Alumni Mixer. 2. From left, Alumni President Diane britt and Cooley Director of Development Tom Garikes at the
Lansing Alumni Mixer.
students, and renew the excitement and enthusiasm that brought them to
Community Relations Helen Mickens (Bushnell Class, 1980); Associate Dean
the legal profession.”
for International, Graduate and Extended Programs William Weiner, and
George Oparanozie (Fitzgerald Class, 2006) said that he enjoyed the alum-
Registrar Sherida Wysocki.
ni mixer. “I think it has a personalized feel to it. It is always a good thing for
The alumni guests included Karl Benghauser (Morse Class, 1987), Alumni
students to talk to the alumni who have gone through what the students
Membership and Outreach Committee Chair George Betts (Moore Class,
are currently going through in a relaxed setting. The ultimate outcome is a
1993), Constituent Alumni Group Committee Chair Christine Campbell
win-win situation because the alumni can look back as they interact with the
(Potter Class, 1980), Karen Carpenter (Reid Class, 2006), Edward Cook
current students and appreciate where they have gotten, while the current
(Morell Class, 1985), Eric Eggan (Dethmers Class, 1981), Robert Ellis (Morse
students can look forward to being alumni in the not-so-distant future.”
Class, 1987) Brian Fortino (Sherwood Class, 1986), John Frame (Edwards
Oparanozie went on to say that “the mixer created an instant mentor-
Class, 2006), Norman Gaffney (Campbell Class, 1976), Stephen Gobbo (Bird
mentee relationship in at least two separate situations I observed. I saw
Class, 1995), John Haarala (Boyles Class, 2005), Gerard Haddad (Weadock
two different alumni give their respective business cards to two students
Class, 1999), Kristin Heyse (Swift Class, 2004), Laurie Hrydziuszko (Smith
for future mentoring and professional contact. Personally, I spoke with dif-
Class, 2003), Lawrence Kish (Marston Class, 1978), Alumni Student Services
ferent alumni, including the president of the Thomas M. Cooley Alumni
Committee Chair Garry Kregelka (Paterson Class, 2002), Suzanne Lockwood
Association.”
(Kavanagh Class, 1981), Suzanne Lowe (Long Class, 1981), Judge Paula
Student Pascale Duvert noted that “I do think that these events are worthwhile to see that there’s life after Cooley and success to be had,” while
Charrisse N. Artry “thought that the mixer was a great opportunity for
current students to connect with those who have traveled through the
same path. There should be more opportunities for students to connect
with alumni because it gives us hope and inspiration.”
The Cooley Law Review staffed a table with information and explained how
graduates are invited to submit articles for publication in that journal. Also
Career and Professional Development Assistant Director Julie Mullins was
there to thank those alumni who attended Alumni Access. Alumni Access
seeks to bring interested alumni together to learn from one another’s
experiences and perspectives in an open and supportive environment. If
you would like more information regarding Alumni Access, please contact
Julie at (517) 371-5140 ext. 4103 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Manderfield (Goodwin Class, 1982), Irene Mead (Potter Class, 1980),
Robert Meade (Flannigan Class, 1999), Douglas Meeks (McAllister Class,
2005), Alexandra Nassar (Edwards Class, 2006), Billie J. O’Berry (Manning
Class, 1984), Ammie Rouse (Swift Class, 2004), Alecia Ruswinckel
(Swainson Class, 2003), Diane Smith (North Class, 1980), Darcel Smith
Bozen (Mundy Class, 1986), Alumni Association Past President and Cooley
Law School Board Member Charles R. Toy (Kavanagh Class, 1981), Marie
Waalkes (Turner Class, 1991), and Dean Winnie (Wiest Class, 1979).
Current Cooley students also attended the event including Faheemah Abdullah,
George Andonyan, Charrisse Artry, Robert Beaupre, John Brennock, Timisha
Brooks, Andrew College, Rebecca Coyle, Wilfred Denis, Eric Dick, Miguel
Dominguez, Conan Duda, Pascale Duvert, Stephanie Ellis, Noel Erinjeri,
Navjyot Francis, Sean Fromang, Larry Furdge, Iniv Gabay, Scott Goldman,
Jeremy Goodman, Marianna Guiffre, Issa Haddad, Walli Haley, Chris Harris,
Eboney Hughes, Kevonna Hunter, Deborah Innocent, Alyscha Johnson,
The Cooley contingent included Student Services Coordinator Goldie
Rashida Kennedy, Elieso Luna, Barry Malone, Jeremy Marks, Joon Mo Kang,
Adele (Paterson Class, 2002), Director of Enrollment Programs and
Joe Nafissi, Ciara Nelson, Jennifer Nelson, Adam Newhouse, Johanne Nicolas,
Student Services Bill Arnold, Alumni Association Vice President and
Alec Nolan, Ifiok Nwa, Raquel Olivo, George Oparanozie, Jeff Owens, Ann
Professor Julie Clement (McDonald Class, 1998), professors Cynthia M.
Marie Pape, Maria Pardue, Walter Rivera, Jeffrey Rothstein, Caleb Sandoval,
Ward, Judith Frank (Mundy Class, 1986), Richard Henke, Eileen Kavanagh,
Brian Scarpelli, Marie Schraugher, Denise Service, Hayley Silverberg, Leticia
Ernie Phillips, Otto Stockmeyer, Evelyn Tombers (Lawrence Class, 1991),
Smith, William Somerville, Charles Thomas, Chandra Treat, Dan Wagnitz,
F. Georgann Wing (Felch Class, 1977), and Nancy Wonch (Kelly Class,
John Waksmundski, Jonathan Williams, Keyshia Williams, Julieanne Yanez, and
1978); Director of Development Thomas Garikes, Director of Graduate
Amanda York.
Programs Debra Hirsch (Sherwood Class, 1986), Associate Dean of
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
15
school news
Cooley Grads Have Memorable Day at
Admission Ceremony for Passers of the
February 2006 Michigan Bar Exam
Successful examinees from the February 2006 Michigan Bar Examination
Admittee Jana Hewett (Reid Class, 2006) had these impressions.
were admitted as new attorneys at a ceremony held on May 18, 2006, in
“I thought the ceremony was overwhelming at first because it is such a
the fifth floor courtroom in the Cooley Center. Faculty, family, and
big step in my career, but as I looked around and saw some familiar faces
friends were able to share the moment when these candidates became
from around Cooley, it just made the ceremony even more special, and
members of the State Bar of Michigan, then socialized at a reception held
made me realize that Cooley was, and will always be, a big part of my
by the school after the ceremony.
life. I am really glad I chose to get sworn in where my law career started.
The program was provided with the assistance of the Ingham County
Thanks!”
Clerk’s Office and the Ingham County Bar Association. Cooley President
Edward Whalen (Starr Class, 2005) gave his impressions of the day as
and Dean Don LeDuc welcomed the admittees and their guests on
follows. “First of all, what a pleasant mix of seriousness and joviality.
behalf of the school. Ingham County Bar President David Brake was
What a monumental milestone; there was just so much blood, sweat,
responsible for the convening of the court, and the Hon. William E.
and tears embodied in that ceremony, it was almost too difficult to
Collette, Chief Judge of the 30th Circuit Court, granted the motions to
comprehend. What a great day! What a great venue!”
admit the new attorneys.
Stacy M. Lebbon (Reid Class, 2006) put it this way. “It was really
Many of the admittees and sponsors were graduates of Cooley Law
meaningful to have the swearing-in ceremony at Cooley as it felt like I
School. Twenty-seven new attorneys entered the legal profession at the
had come full circle. I started my law school training and my law career
ceremony, with 15 of them being Cooley alumni.
in the same building. Having Professor Bretz individually sponsor me was
Cooley set up a program to offer individual admission sponsors for all of
also full circle as he was the one who called on me my very first day of
its graduates. M. Ann Miller, Associate Dean for Planning and Programs,
law school in my very first class — Criminal Law. So, thank you to
volunteered to be an individual sponsor. She observed that “the personal
Cooley for being there from the beginning.”
relationships that the sponsors described distinguished this Cooley swear-
Niki Wilkinson, also a graduate of the Reid Class, said that the
ing-in ceremony. When the motions to admit are made with personal
“swearing-in ceremony was a very special day for me because I was for-
knowledge of the new admittee, with pride in their accomplishments,
tunate just to get accepted into a law school and to pass character and
and with a touch of humor, the ceremony becomes what it should be:
fitness. I worked very hard to finish law school, to make it within the top
a celebration of welcome to the practice. It was a great honor for the
5 percent, and to pass the bar exam; and I was sponsored by one of the
faculty and staff of Cooley Law School to share this joyous event with
professors that I admire most (Professor Joni Larson).Thank you.”
these new attorneys and their guests. Our congratulations and best
Finally, Danielle Havenstein of the Reid Class reported that “the swear-
wishes go to them!”
ing-in ceremony was a great culmination of my experiences at Cooley.
New attorney Tony Snyder (Boyles Class, 2005) thought it was “very
I live in Grand Rapids, so I was invited to the Kent County swearing-in,
fitting that I would start my law career the same way I started my law
but I wanted to do it at Cooley with my classmates and professors. Kathy
education, at Cooley Law School. As you sit there and look around at
Swedlow has been my mentor, teacher, friend, and shoulder to cry on
the familiar faces, both those you sat with in class, as well as those that
throughout my Cooley experience. I have also found other Cooley
have been supporting you all these years, it’s a very surreal experience.
professors to be open, caring, and willing to give their time to students.
Cooley is the reason I got a law school education. Cooley is the reason
I credit these Cooley professors with my success in law school, and
I passed the Bar. Cooley was the place I wanted to become a lawyer.
applaud Cooley for its ability to attract and retain highly skilled lawyers
Thank you to all the Cooley folks that made yesterday such a happy
who are able to make the transition to highly skilled teachers.”
experience. I look forward to working with Cooley and all its alumni in
the future!”
16
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
I credit these
Cooley professors with my
success in law
school, and
applaud Cooley
for its ability to
attract and
retain highly
skilled lawyers
who are able to
make the transition to highly
skilled teachers.”
The individually sponsored Cooley
graduates in the group were Allan
Archie (Smith Class, 2003), sponsored
by Alumni Association Past President
Virginia P. Allen (Wing Class, 1982);
Stephen Cornish (Reid Class, 2006),
sponsored by Professor Nancy Wonch
(Kelly Class, 1978); Joseph Ernst (Reid
Class, 2006), sponsored by Professor
Gary Bauer (Green Class, 1988);
Danielle Havenstein (Reid Class, 2006),
sponsored by Professor Kathy Swedlow;
Jana Hewitt (Reid Class, 2006), sponsored by Professor Daniel Ray; Stacy
Lebbon (Reid Class, 2006), sponsored
by Professor Ronald J. Bretz; Josie
Lewis (Reid Class, 2006), sponsored by
Denver Area Grads and Incoming Students
Meet at Reception
Kay Granath (Johnson Class, 2002) and Linda Kreusel (Chase Class,
2002) hosted an afternoon reception for 13 graduates, prospective
students, and friends of Cooley Law School on June 24. The group
gathered at Eisenhower Park in southeast Denver, Colo.
Ms. Granath and Ms. Kreusel welcomed the group and asked for
their ideas for future events and activities for the alumni in the area.
Ms. Kreusel said, “My impression is that for the attendees, they
were excited about the possibility of a Cooley Alumni Club in
Colorado. Their main goal in attending the reception was to meet
other Cooley alumni and have the opportunity to network with
other Cooley graduates in the area. When I decided to participate in
starting this club in Colorado, that was also my main goal. It was a
good experience. There was a lot of talk about our time at Cooley,
as well as common professors we had. It was a fun experience.”
Professor Kathy Swedlow; Jennifer
According to graduate Elizabeth Lindsay-Ochoa, “The picnic was a
Olson (McAllister Class, 2005),
great opportunity to catch up with former classmates as well as
sponsored by Robert L. Renfior II;
meet Cooley graduates from other classes. I also enjoyed meeting a
Clinton Perryman (Reid Class, 2006),
new student and answering all her questions about law school.”
sponsored by Professor Ronald J. Bretz; Mark Pritzlaff (Swift Class, 2004),
Bringing alumni and admitted new students together is one of the
sponsored by Andrea E. Pritzlaff; Kathryn Rice (Starr Class, 2005),
best things about these events. Graduates can give these “newbies”
sponsored by Steven Shelton (Boyles Class, 2005); Andrew Rockafellow
the lowdown on living in Lansing and what to expect as they begin
(Starr Class, 2005), sponsored by Michael Newell (Boyles Class, 2005);
their law studies.
Neal Smith (Boyles Class, 2005), sponsored by Professor Terry Cavanaugh;
Graduate Patrick Costigan said that attending Cooley was the best
Anthony Snyder (Boyles Class, 2005), sponsored by Associate Dean
time of his life. He learned the law from some of the best instructors
Charles Cercone; Milea Vislosky (Starr Class, 2005), sponsored by
and is successful now due to the knowledge he gained from them.
Professor Terry Cavanaugh; Edward Whalen (Starr Class, 2005),
Additionally, he said it was also great because he met his wife at
sponsored by Associate Dean M. Ann Miller; and Niki Wilkinson
Cooley. Others present made comments that because they attended
(Reid Class, 2006), sponsored by Professor Joni Larson.
Cooley they felt confident setting up their own practices.
The alumni in the group sponsored by Ingham County Bar Association
The alumni guests included Greg Clifton (Sharpe Class, 1998),
President David Brake were Jacqueline Freeman (Reid Class, 2006),
Cherami Costigan (Swainson Class, 2003), Patrick Costigan (Chase
Joy McConnell (Reid Class 2006), John McKisson III (Starr Class, 2005),
Class, 2002), Sue Kokinos (Reid Class, 2006), Liz Ochoa (Iredell
Thomas Munley (Reid Class, 2006), Trevor Robinson (Swainson Class,
Class, 2001), and John Waters (Reid Class, 2006).
2003), and Katica Trajkovski (Reid Class 2006).
Alumni GolfOuting
Join us at the 2007 Cooley Alumni Association Golf Outing on August 13
The Thomas M. Cooley Law School Alumni Association wishes to announce that its 2007 Annual Golf Benefit will
be held at the Country Club of Lansing on Monday, August 13, 2007. The afternoon activities will begin with an
11 a.m. “Off the Grill Luncheon Buffet” and a 12:30 p.m. ‘Shotgun Start.’
The $150 per person fee will include 18 holes of golf, cart, and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres with soft drinks,
beer, cocktails, and special prizes. Further information will follow in the spring of next year. We look forward to
seeing you and again, thanking you for your support of the Alumni Association Memorial Scholarship Fund.
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
17
school news
graduation highlights
Top. State Bar of Michigan President Thomas Cranmer delivers the commencement address.
Middle. From left, Cooley President Don LeDuc, Paul Michael Collins, summa cum laude; Gregory
Michael Matlock, President’s Achievement Award winner, and State Bar of Michigan President
Thomas Cranmer.
Bottom. Left and middle: Graduates of the Edwards Class. At right: Mable Martin-Scott was the
winner of the Beattie Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Edwards Class
Commencement ceremonies for the Edwards Class were
held May 20, 2006, at the Breslin Center.
The invocation was given by Assistant Dean and
Associate Professor Nelson Miller. Senior Michael Brush
was chosen by his fellow graduates to deliver the valedictory remarks.
Commencement speaker was State Bar of Michigan
President Thomas W. Cranmer, a principal with the firm
of Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone.
Paul Michael Collins, summa cum laude, was the recipient
of the James E. Burns Memorial Award. Gregory Michael
Matlock was the recipient of the President’s
Achievement Award.
The Burns Award is given to the student who graduates
with the highest grade point average in the class, while
the President’s Achievement Award goes to the student
who had the highest percentage increase between
incoming index and graduating G.P.A.
Professor Mable Martin-Scott won the Beattie Award for
Excellence in Teaching, an award voted on by members
of the graduating class.
18
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
May 20, 2006
Wesley Ables
Jamie Tennille Adams,
CUM LAUDE
Stephen Glenn Adkins
David Garland Aiello,
CUM LAUDE
Samantha Lee Aiello
Imie V. Aisiku, CUM LAUDE
Raffi Akelian, CUM LAUDE
Eric Delanyo Alifo
James Frederick Allen Jr.
Brynn Hart Anderson, CUM
LAUDE
Michael George Ardelean
Carla L. Arevalo
Emma Rose ArmstrongBlanchard,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
April Lee Babcock
Juan Baltierres
Laverne Bobbie Barber-Campese
Stephanie Barone,
CUM LAUDE, LEADERSHIP
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Alicia Catherine Bartolovich
Scott Alan Bass
Jonathan Robert Beato, LEADERSHIP ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD
Chris Henry Begeman,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Crystal Amber Beitler
Aaron Eugene Bellm,
CUM LAUDE
Matthew Lee Benavides
Andrew Thomas Bethart,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Vanessa Anne Bevington
Carrie Ann Bidigare,
CUM LAUDE
Cheryl Anne Binosa
Stuart Black,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Tara Aubree Black
James Edward Bliss
Amy D. Boehms
Elizabeth Victoria Bolden
Darien J. Borges
Cheré Rosalind Bosch
Jeanelle Ayeshia Bovell
James Edward Bowman II,
CUM LAUDE
Jimmy D. Boyd,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Howard Henry Brauckmuller
Jennifer Renee Brisco
Michael Paul Brush
John Wesley Burkholder
Teresa Burns
Jordan Wayne Bush
Vernon Elliott Cardwell Jr.,
WITH DISTINCTION
Brent Cartwright
Michael Chaban
Min-Cheng Chen
Paul Michael Collins,
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
graduates edwards class
Rae-Anne Copat
Kevin Michael Cotter
Sara Marie Covill
James Crane, CUM LAUDE
Stacey Lyn Cubit
Lisa Ann Damuth, CUM LAUDE
Kelley Amanda Day
Austin B. DeFreece
Mehul Desai
Nathan Chad Doctor
Colleen A. Dooley, CUM LAUDE
James Edgar Drury III
Douglas Ian Duffin
Oneika Duncan, LEADERSHIP
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jeff Scott Dunson
Jenny Marie Eastman
Adam James Eggleston
Audrey Eglajs, CUM LAUDE
Bradley Earl Ekdahl
Harold Leo Emelander,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Elterrice Dovet Farley
Elizabeth Ann Favaro,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Cynthia Favila
Steven Mark Feigelson
Sarina Fifer
Vasiliki P. Filippakos
Daniella Folja
Charles Larry Fountain II
John Turner Frame II
Maria Alexis Frantom
Aaron Neil Freedman
Henry George Fuhs III,
CUM LAUDE
Frank M. Gagliardi,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Patrick James Garrett
Patricia Gelderloos,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Jennifer Claude Germain
Autumn Lynn Gill
John Paul Gill
Michael Jay Glidden
Katherine Anne Gonos
Lillian Grizel Gonzalez
Michelle Gonzalez
Joseph Cole Good III
Setsuko Regina Gormley
Christopher Charles Graffeo
Bridget Anne Greene
Trevor Gerard Grove,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Daniel Harrison
Thomas Ward Hart III
Dylan McCaughey Hartigan
Rebecca Sue Harwood
Lydia Yvonne Henderson
Nicole Marie Herron,
CUM LAUDE
Jennifer Margaret Hetu
Todd Michael Hill,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Charles Edward Hirth III
Veronika Emese Hoka
Mark Holdridge
Derek Thomas Howard
Michelle Marie Hurren
Javier Illas
Francina Mary James
Jaclyn Kay Jelsema
Brian Grant Johnson
Miranda Lynn Johnston,
CUM LAUDE
Hussein Karmali
Jason Ray Katz
Heather Bridgette Kavanaugh
Angela Hope Kayl
Stephen Edward Kennedy,
CUM LAUDE
Todd Robert Kenney
Howard Roberts Kinard
Marcie Joan Klida, CUM LAUDE
Node Kokusi Kludze
Adam Edward Kneisley,
CUM LAUDE
Christopher Mark Kroll
Matthew C. Krull
Kathleen Kugler
Calvin K. Kuza
Michael Lam
Scott Robert Lamiman
Jennifer Lynne Lascari
Daniel Song-Kyu Lee
Robert Alford Lenoir
Christopher Leonard
Christina Kay Lichty,
CUM LAUDE
Ryan Nicholas Lindinger
Lainie Jess Little
Olga Maricruz Lopez
Jennifer Marie LoTurco
Ann Marie Malave
Clovis Wayne Martin
Stephanie Julia Massi
Gregory Michael Matlock,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE,
PRESIDENT’S
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Michael William Matthews,
WITH DISTINCTION
Randall Joseph Mattson
Michael Prince Mbah
Ann Allen McDonough
Marcie Kanoelani McWayne,
LEADERSHIP
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Shant Melkonian
Elizabeth Marie Messer
Norman Frederic Miller
Sandra Mireles, CUM LAUDE
Christopher David Morrow
Michele Morton
Jerome Anthony Moschetta,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Moshood Muftau
Catherine Ann Mullhaupt,
CUM LAUDE
Eric Clifford Musser,
CUM LAUDE
Kyung-Sun Na, CUM LAUDE
Joanna Stephenie Smith,
CUM LAUDE, LEADERSHIP
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Thomas Andrew Smith, CUM
LAUDE, LEADERSHIP
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
James Kevin Snyder
Jeffrey Michael Stanglin,
CUM LAUDE
Joseph Rodney Starr
Christopher Stavris
Paul Wesley Steele III,
CUM LAUDE
Angela Renee Stein
John Charles Stender
Kyle David Stewart,
CUM LAUDE
Elizabeth Ann Stomski
Joohyung Suh
Mehpara Angelina Suleman
Monika Lina Sullivan,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Melanie Sue Summers,
CUM LAUDE
Aaron Sumrall
Rachel Taimanao
CUM LAUDE
Jessica Lynn Tarsi
Laurel L. Poe, CUM LAUDE
Jaron Paul Thompson,
CUM LAUDE
Mark Daniel Potts, CUM LAUDE
Ramona Winona Todorut
Julie Marguerite Primozic
Dorothy Tochan Tran
Jay Robert Rademacher
Linda Thi Tran
Peter Rafal Ramiscal
Theodore Levette Tsoras,
Paula Renee Ramsey
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Renee Marie Rashleigh
Jason Twede, CUM LAUDE
Jonathan Adam Reeves
Jodi VanAvery
Carleen Meagan Reid-Coleman
Eric Van Steel
Charles Robert Riney,
Philip George Vera
CUM LAUDE
Christopher Stephen Vetvick
Jennifer Elizabeth Riskie
Joseph Vredevelt
Aaron Robert Rivera
Beau Lawrence Wagner,
Nadia Rivera Sanchez
CUM LAUDE
Michael Anthony Roman
Patrick Steven Wall,
Ronald Anthony Rosa
CUM LAUDE
Robert J. Ross
Jaime Marie Wallace
Joseph Anthony Rossi Jr
Tanya Sue Wanageshik
Jessica Erin Routley,
Jennifer Owen Ward
CUM LAUDE
Jason Scott Weaver
Brian Dean Russell
Dionne Elizabeth Webster
Helly Saadzoi
Benjamin Ross Weimert
Gable Maxwell Sadovsky
Gaudys L. Sanclemente Ronquillo Douglas Weinert
Patrick Francis Welsh
Kyle Ann Sauer
Elizabeth Anne Wetenkamp
Michelle Elizabeth Sawicki
Jamee Borton Wheeler
Matthew Dene Scholz,
Jacinda Martina White
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
W. Bryan White,
Evan Matthew Selik
WITH DISTINCTION
Cherry Lynn Sewell
Alison Sarra Widoff
William Allen Shelby
Erycerla Bree Willie,
Brendan Doyle Simaytis,
CUM LAUDE
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Ralph
James Wilson
Rachel Elizabeth Sims
Maike Winter
Antonio Guiseppe Sisson
Woojin Won, CUM LAUDE
Marion Frank Siuta,
Seokgwon Yoon
WITH DISTINCTION
Andrew James Zenk
Kevin Scott Skinner
Talbot DeWitt Ziegler
Sally Ann Skodinski
Alexandra Nassar, CUM LAUDE
Lourdes Nerios
Stephanie Ng
Alphonso Nickson
David Nowak
Cristy Nicole Oakes
Ruth O’Connor,
WITH DISTINCTION
Patricia Lynn O’Dell
Raquel Olivo
Michael Scott Owen,
CUM LAUDE
Sandra Kay Owens
Cristine Anne Oyer
Gale Lyn Palmer
Brett David Parker,
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kristin Leigh Paupore
Robert Pawlowski
Kalvanetta Kristina Peete
Chelsea Alexandra Pejic
Kevin Gerard Pelkey
JaHarr Sareen Pennington
Robert Scott Pew
Karen Lynn Phillips,
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
19
school news
January 22, 2006
Richard Kingsley Allen III, CUM LAUDE
Aisha Nichol Alleyne
Patricia Anne Ambrose
Ashley Elizabeth Ameika
Cyrille Albert El Amm, CUM LAUDE
Imelda Udui Antonio, CUM LAUDE
Simone N. Archer, CUM LAUDE
Yesenia Maria Arévalo
Katerina Arvanitakis
Ebonee C. Avery,
LEADERSHIP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jessamy Ann Barnes, CUM LAUDE
Thomas George Barnes
Elizabeth Jane Barringer
Joseph Jeffrey Baumann, MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Ronald Paul Bender
Kunal Bhatheja
Lawrence Joseph Boivin, CUM LAUDE
Joel Frederick Bornkamp
Todd Frank Bovo
Melissa Ruth Bozell, CUM LAUDE
Michael Anthony Braem
Christopher George Buck
Kimberly Hope Cambron
David Leonard Campbell,
LEADERSHIP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Karen Marie Carpenter
John Joseph Casey
Christine Louise Cattani
Danny Ceron
Zuleyma M. Chapman
Vanessa Chauhan, CUM LAUDE
Erica Leigh Chisholm
Carey Michele Clark
Stephen Michael Cornish, CUM LAUDE
James Randall Davis Jr.
Thea D. Davis, CUM LAUDE
Luis De Los Santos Jr.
Patrick J. Delaney
Harsharn Sharon Dhami
Noelle Elizabeth Dobbs
J. Stephen Dolembo, CUM LAUDE
John Joseph Doud, CUM LAUDE
Michael Todd Douglass
Matthew B. Downs
Michelle Duff, CUM LAUDE
Brandi Kae Dukes
Gwynne Rondolos Dumbrigue
Rosie Dwyer
Paul J. Elam II
Joseph Edward Ernst, CUM LAUDE
Emma Mae Evans
Kimberley Ann Farrell
Arden McCullough Fields
Richard Jason Foster
Jacqueline Anne Freeman, CUM LAUDE
Barry L. Gair
Nina Marie Garrett, CUM LAUDE
Brad Andrew Gee
Wendy Sue Gillis
Christopher Michael Gioe
Mahdiyeh Goodarzi
John Russell Goodin, CUM LAUDE
Donna Sophia Gopaul
Ryan Salim Gores
Drinan Jeanne Gorney, CUM LAUDE
Peng Grossklaus, MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Sheryl Denise Guinn
Holly Marie Hanni
Jason Adam Harris
Danielle René Havenstein, SUMMA CUM LAUDE
20
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
graduates reid class
Jessica M. Hayden
Roshanda D. Heath
Jason Alexander Heist
Georgia Lee Henning
Jana Ann Hewitt
James C. Higgs, MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Aaron Hilgendorf, CUM LAUDE
Bethany M. Hillis
Michael Robert Honeywell
James Allan Houston, CUM LAUDE
Brandon Scott Hultink
James Richard Huss
Steven Hyder
Omonzusi Margaretta Imobioh, CUM LAUDE
Jill Marie Ireland
Toshinori Isoai
Albert James Iuele II
Jordan Suzanne Jackson, CUM LAUDE
Nicole Marie Janes
Jenny DeAnn Jansch, CUM LAUDE
Sheila Johnson
Amy Beth Kalbaugh
Armand S. Kalfayan
Edward James Kaushas
Angela Marie Kimber
Sue Ann Kokinos
Casey Callahan Kolb
Virginia Kerr Kostmayer
Karin Leigh Lake
Dena Marie Lampinen, CUM LAUDE
Cheryl Lorraine Landrum
Michael Scott Lanier
Adedapo Rasheed Lawal
Gregory Gail Leavitt
Stacy Marie Lebbon
Mildred Lecorps
Tasha Elaine Leise, CUM LAUDE
Stephen Francis Cruz Leon Guerrero
Josie Lea Lewis
Osvaldo Lopez, CUM LAUDE
Christian Barry Lozuke
Rashidatu Mahama, CUM LAUDE
Clint J. Mansour
Luis Enrico Martin del Campo
Joel Martinez
Joy Elizabeth McConnell, MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Jule McReynolds
Brian Eugene Melson
Philip John Melville
Temus Clifford Miles Jr., CUM LAUDE
Michael B. Miller II
Christina Lynn Mitzel
Bobbi J. Morrow, CUM LAUDE
Thomas Edward Munley, MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Matthew Edward Munson
Rayni Mayuri Nakamura
Stephanie M. Nerette
Joseph William Nugent
Alexander Scott O’Brien
Scott Patrick O’Neill
Chiyoon Oh
Cheryl Charmaine Oosterhout
Theresa Panzica
Palmer David Parrott
Robert Joseph Payne, CUM LAUDE
Michele A. Perlin
Clinton Wood Perryman
Bethany Marie Plant
Cynthia Marika Pressley-Besco
William Brian Ramsay
LaSandy Katriece Raynor
Alberto Diego Recalde
Jason Andrew Rhodehouse, CUM LAUDE
Michelle Marie Richards
Audra Ricketts-Belmamoun
Sara Lynn Rickson, CUM LAUDE, ALUMNI
DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARD
Deborah E. Riddick
Richard Alan Riekkola
Charity Rose Rivers
Kevin John Robinson
Robert L. Robinson Jr.
Jeffrey Philip Roland
Stuart Seth Ronicker
Ryan Scott Ross
Jason Kyle Ruggerio
Ernesto E. Ruiz
John Rulli
Richard Jeffrey Russell
James Gregory Salyards
Lynda Sangmor, CUM LAUDE
Juan Carlos Scarborough
Jeremy Adam Schneider, CUM LAUDE
Eric Ryan Severson
Richard I. Sexton, CUM LAUDE
Rebecca Christine Sharpe
Catharine Clare Shea, CUM LAUDE
Christopher Lance Shropa
Barbara Anne Shutler, CUM LAUDE
Lewis LaMont Smith
Darren M. Southard
Lorethea Benice Spencer
Christine Marie Stabile, CUM LAUDE
Matthew James Stark, MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Victoria Diane Starks
Cianti Anise Stewart-Reid, CUM LAUDE
Lacey Vaughan Stone
Melissa Marie Swaney
Jill Marie Tanner
Carrie Michelle Thomas
Dorothy Lisa Thomas
Markeisha Di’Ann Thompson, CUM LAUDE,
LEADERSHIP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jani Sanura Tillery
David Ton
Katica Trajkovski
Kien H. Tran
Amanda Marie Trott
Christopher Michael Turner, CUM LAUDE
Kenneth Ray Turner Jr.
Johnny William Ulmer
Joan E. Walker
John Palmer Waters
Valerie Elizabeth Watts
Amy Gracelyn Welch
Dalph L. Wells-Watson
Melisa Marie Werkema, CUM LAUDE
Brandi Nicole West
James Lee Widrig
Niki Lee Wilkinson, CUM LAUDE,
PRESIDENT’S ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Evelyn Williams, CUM LAUDE, ALUMNI
DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARD
Naing (Freddie) Latt Win
Justin Michael Wright
James Matthew Wujcik
Alethea Denise Wurn, CUM LAUDE
Jay S. Yoo
Melissa Lynn Young
Eric Wee Keong Kekoa Yuen
James Christian Zellen
school news
faculty briefs
Gary Bauer,
Associate Professor
Appointed, ChairpersonElect, State Bar of Michigan
Law Practice Management
Section, for 2006-2007.
Quoted, in Prelaw, a
National Jurist publication, in
an article, “Other Specialties, Thomas M. Cooley
Law School, General Practice, Small Firm and
Solo Concentration,” Vol. 10, No. 1, 2006.
David C. Berry,
Associate Professor
Attended, the 32nd Annual
Intellectual Property Law
Summer Institute in Traverse
City, Mich., co-sponsored by
the Institute of Continuing
Legal Education and the State
Bar of Michigan Intellectual Property Law Section.
Published, an article, “ ‘Tangential Relation’
Criterion Clears Way For Infringement of
Amended Patent Claims Under Doctrine of
Equivalents,” in the Journal of Intellectual Property
Law and Practice, an Oxford University Press
publication.
Interviewed, by NPR’s Nina Totenberg
concerning the Supreme Court’s decision in
eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, LLC.
Served, on the dissertation panel for Nancy E.
Larsen, who was awarded a Ph.D. in Education
by Oakland University based on her research
on K-12 educators' understanding of, attitude
toward, and compliance with, the Copyright Act
in public schools.
Ronald Bretz,
Professor
Lectured, on recent
criminal appellate decisions
to the Michigan Judges
Association Annual Meeting
on Mackinac Island, Mich., on
Aug. 21, 2006; at a criminal
defense seminar in Tucson, Ariz., April 14, 2006,
and with Cooley Professor James Peden on Nov.
18, 2005, to the Wayne County defense bar.
Published, a chapter, “170 Years of a Balancing
Act: A Brief History of Criminal Justice In
Michigan,” in The History of Michigan Law,
Ohio University Press 2006.
Participated, in a symposium on the History
of Michigan Law at Wayne State University Law
School, Sept. 12, 2006.
Participated, in a panel on the History of
Michigan Law at the State Bar of Michigan annual
meeting in Ypsilanti, Mich., Sept. 14, 2006.
Spoke, at the Indiana Public Defender Service
seminar in Indianapolis, Ind., on Understanding
and Effectively Arguing Forensic Evidence Issues,
on Sept. 15, 2006.
Testified, before the Michigan House of
Representatives, on pending legislation designed
to eliminate preliminary exams in certain felonies.
Elected, in January 2006 as president of the
Board of Directors of the Citizens Alliance on
Prisons and Public Spending.
Headed, a panel on diversity for Diversity
Week at Cooley, March 9, 2006.
Spoke, to a group of Lansing high school
students visiting Cooley, on March 2, 2006.
James L. Carey,
Associate Professor
Appointed, as Official
Reporter of the Michigan
State Bar Committee on the
Limited Liability Company Act.
He was appointed by the
Michigan State Bar to work
with the State Bar and the Michigan legislature to
improve the act and to draft the official commentary describing various provisions of the act.
Paul Carrier,
Assistant Professor
Delivered, a paper, “U.S.
Policy on Exercises of
Jurisdiction by International
Tribunals — Positivist vs.
Naturalist Theories — the
U.S. Position with Reference
to the International Criminal Court,” for a panel
discussion, Jurisdictional Trends and Mechanisms
in International Law, June 17, 2006, at Cooley
Law School.
Karen Chadwick,
Associate Professor
Accepted, for publication,
an article, “Is Leisure-Time
Smoking a Valid Employment
Consideration?” in the
Albany Law Review.
Attended, the Dan E. Dobbs Conference on
Tort Law, March 3-4, 2006, in Tucson, Ariz.
Submitted, a grant proposal, along with
Cooley Associate Professor John Taylor and two
Oakland University professors, to the Law School
Admissions Council, entitled, “Critical Factors
Affecting Law School Success.”
Patrick Corbett,
Associate Professor
Spoke, on Sept. 21, 2006,
on Searching and Seizing
Computers - the Fourth
Amendment in Cyberspace,
at Washtenaw Community
College, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Spoke, on Sept. 19, 2006, on Identity Theft,
for the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association’s
People’s Law School 2006, at Cooley Law
School, Lansing, Mich.
Spoke, on Sept. 15, 2006, on A Review of
Michigan Cyber Crime Laws, for the Michigan
Judicial Conference, at the State Bar of Michigan
Annual Meeting, Ypsilanti, Mich.
Spoke, on Sept. 6, 2006, on Cyber Bullying and
Other Computer Crimes Involving Teens, at
Okemos High School, Okemos, Mich.
Attended, on Aug. 15, 2006, SUMIT_06
Symposium, at the University of Michigan,
Information Technology Security Services, Ann
Arbor, Mich.
Attended, on July 13, 2006, a High Technology
Crime Investigations Association Conference, at the
Troy Police Department, Troy, Mich.
Attended, on July 13, 2006, the Michigan
Electronic Crimes Task Force Conference, at the
Michigan Information Technology Center, Ann
Arbor, Mich.
Norman Fell,
Professor
Awarded, on May 18,
2006, The Justice For All
Award from the Criminal
Defense Attorneys of
Michigan for his extraordinary efforts to defend the
rights of defendants and to ensure due process
and justice for all.
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
21
school news
Gerald Fisher,
Associate Professor
Selected, by his peers, for
inclusion in 2007 Best Lawyers
in America.
Spoke, at the National
Business Institute Seminar on
Eminent Domain on Aug. 28,
2006, in Southfield, Mich. Topic: The Debate on
Governmental Authority and Private Property
Rights Under the Takings Clause.
Spoke, at an Institute for Continuing Legal
Education seminar on Land Use and Development
on Sept. 7, 2006, in Troy, Mich. Topic: Use of the
Community Master Plan to the Fullest Advantage
by Both Public and Private Interests.
Anthony Flores,
Associate Professor
Taught, at Widener Law
School in Wilmington, Del.,
an Intensive Trial Advocacy
Program May 18-23, 2006.
Interviewed, for article in
the Ingham County Legal
News, on “Technology from the Attorney’s
Desk.” (May 2006).
Conducted, training for the State of Michigan
Office of Training and Staff Development, Child
Welfare Institute, Protective Services and Foster
Care Training, on testifying in court, June 1,
2006, and Aug. 10, 2006, in Detroit, Mich.
Attended, AALS Workshop for New Law
Teachers, in Washington, D.C., June 22-24, 2006.
Attended, AALS Workshop for New Clinical
Teachers, in Washington, D.C., June 24-25, 2006.
Interviewed, for an article in the St. Joseph
Herald-Palladium, for the story “Registry Under
Fire; Critics say requirements should be changed
for sex offender list,” September 2006.
Christopher G. Hastings,
Visiting Professor
Appointed, to the
Western District of Michigan’s
Project Safe Childhood Task
Force, which is charged as
part of the Bush
Administration’s national
initiative with the development and implementation
of a local plan for combating Internet predation
upon children.
Elected, Second Vice President of the Girl Scouts
of Michigan Trails.
Reappointed, to the Standing Committee on
the Unauthorized Practice of Law of the State Bar
of Michigan.
22
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
Joseph Kimble,
Professor
Presented, a writing
seminar at the annual
meeting of the State Bar of
Michigan. Kimble was a
featured speaker.
Spoke, at the annual
meeting of the Law and Society Conference, in
Baltimore, Md. His presentation, called Revising
Hallowed Text: Lessons from the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure, was about his work in redrafting
those rules. They have now been approved by
three federal committees and are in the hands of
the U.S. Supreme Court.
Interviewed, in depth, by three publications
about his views on legal writing. The interviews
appeared in The Editorial Eye, Issues in Writing,
and the Bimonthly Review of Law Books.
Received, positive reviews of his book Lifting
the Fog of Legalese: Essays on Plain Language, in
Perspectives:Teaching Legal Research and Writing,
the Student Lawyer, the Chicago Bar Association
Record,Trial, the Law Institute Journal, the Journal
of the Law Society of Scotland, and the Australian
Law Journal (in a review by a Justice of the High
Court of Australia).
Dorean Koenig,
Professor
Served, as vice-chair of
the drafting committee
responsible for creating an
IRR resolution establishing
protections from the death
penalty for severely mentally
ill defendants that was passed by the American
Bar Association House of Delegates.
Daniel W. Matthews,
Assistant Professor
Accepted, for publication,
an article, “A Fight to the
Death: Slaying the Estate
Tax Repeal Hydra,” in the
Whittier Law Review.
Appointed, as Vice Chair
of the Tax Committee of the Oakland County
Bar Association.
Raised, over $1,300 for the Muscular
Dystrophy Association.
Cited, with approval by the Supreme Court of
South Carolina, his article “Should The Doctrine
of Lost Volume Seller Be Retained? A Response
to Professor Breen,” in Collins Entertainment
Corp. v. Coats and Coats Rental Amusement,
629 S.E.2d 635 (S.C. 2006).
Nelson P. Miller,
Assistant
Dean/Associate
Professor
Co-authored, with
Associate Professor and
Assistant Dean Joan Vestrand,
“Of Shining Knights and
Cunning Pettifoggers: The Symbolic World of the
Model Rules of Professional Conduct,” in 110
Penn St. L. Rev. 855 (2006).
Elected, as President of the Board of Trustees
of the Legal Assistance Center, serving over
10,000 patrons per year at the Kent County
(Michigan) Courthouse.
Marla Mitchell,
Professor
Published, “One Week
Later at 8:58,” a poem
reflecting on the events of
Sept. 11, Cooley Journal of
Practical and Legal Scholarship,
2006. This poem received
Honorable Mention in the 1992 Clinical Legal
Education’s Annual Creative Writing Contest.
Guest speaker, on The Blessings of Our Labor,
Sept. 3, 2006. Discussed the rewards of her work
life, particularly as it relates to the Cooley
Innocence Project, for Labor Day service at
Fellowship for Today.
Attended, the National Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers' conference, Tools and Strategies
For Making Criminal Justice Reform a Reality, July
27-28, 2006, in Miami, Fla.
Attended, a workshop: Yearning and Justice,
Writing the Unlived Life, Aug. 17-21, 2006, at
The Leaven Center, in Lyons, Mich.
Appointed, Co-Director, Australia and New
Zealand Study Abroad Program for 2007.
Martha Moore,
Associate Professor
Appointed, by the
Michigan Supreme Court
to serve on the Michigan
Attorney Grievance
Commission, Sept. 30, 2006,
for a three-year term. The
Supreme Court appoints six lawyers and three
non-lawyers to supervise the Grievance
Administrator and the staff, propose court rule
amendments, and decide the disposition of the
investigations completed by the Grievance
Administrator —whether to dismiss the investigation, privately admonish, or institute formal
public proceedings before a hearing panel of the
Attorney Discipline Board against attorneys
suspected of misconduct.
John Nussbaumer,
Professor and
Associate Dean
Published, an article,
“Misuse of the Law School
Admissions Test, Racial
Discrimination, and the De
Facto Quota System for
Restricting African-American Access to the Legal
Profession,” in the St. John’s Law Review, Vol.
80, Winter 2006, No. 1, pages 167-181.
Donald Peterson,
Associate Professor
Performed, as a stand-up
comic, at fundraisers held by
the Legal Assistance Center
and the Auburn Hills
Optimist Club.
Co-authored, a book
review with Cooley Assistant Dean Nelson Miller
on The Consciousness of the Litigator, by Duffy
Graham. The book has been accepted for
publication by The Journal of Markets & Morality.
John Rooney,
Professor Emeritus
Spoke, at the Semiotic
Society of America’s annual
meeting at Purdue, Sept. 28Oct. 1, 2006. His paper is
called “The Misuse of Language in the Pursuit of Justice.”
Lauren A. Rousseau,
Associate Professor
Authored, an article that
was published in the Rutgers
Journal of Law and Urban
Policy, Spring 2006 edition
(Vol. 3, No. 2), entitled,
“Privacy and Jury Selection:
Does the Constitution Protect Prospective Jurors
From Personally Intrusive Voir Dire Questions?”
Marjorie Russell,
Professor
Named, to the National
Youth Court Center
Volunteer Hall of Fame for
activities related to Lansing
Teen Court, including serving
as a volunteer judge.
Presented, a lecture and demonstration on
Preparing and Conducting Direct Examinations,
and served as a small group instructor for the
third annual CDAM/Cooley Criminal Defense
Trial College, Aug. 18-23.
Chris A. Shafer,
Professor
Published, an article,
“Navigating the Shoals of
Wetlands Protection and
the Clean Water Act: The
Supreme Court’s Decision
in Rapanos and Carabell,”
in Planning & Zoning News, Vol. 24, No. 9
(July 2006).
Spoke, on “The Public Trust Doctrine and
Wetlands Protection: Modern Application of
An Ancient Doctrine,” at the International
Wetlands Symposium, Aug. 28, 2006, in
Traverse City, Mich.
Participated, in a panel discussion on “Water
Use in Michigan” for the DNR/DEQ Leadership
Academy on Sept. 12, 2006, in Lansing, Mich.
John A. Taylor,
Associate Professor
Attended, the American
Bar Association annual
conference Aug. 5-10 in
Honolulu, Hawaii.
Proposed, along with
Cooley Professor Karen
Chadwick and two Oakland University
professors, to the Law School Admissions
Council, a study of the critical factors affecting
law school success. The proposal seeks funding
of $104,000.
Amy Timmer,
Associate Dean
and Professor
Accepted, as Chair of
Cooley’s Professionalism
Committee, the E. Smythe
Gambrell Professionalism
Award given to Cooley Law
School by the ABA Professionalism Committee
on Aug. 4, 2006, for Cooley’s Professionalism
Program.
Evelyn C. Tombers,
Associate Professor
Attended, the State Bar of
Michigan Leadership Forum,
on Mackinac Island, Mich. This
conference prepares state bar
leaders for their section or
committee leadership roles.
Elected, Chair, State Bar of Michigan Children’s
Law Section.
Christopher Trudeau,
Assistant Professor
Attended, the Legal
Writing Institute’s 12th
biennial conference June
7-10, 2006, in Atlanta, Ga.
Developed, a pro bono
program at Cristo Rey
Community Center in Lansing, Mich. The
program began Oct. 4, 2006.
William Wagner,
Professor
Authored, an amicus
brief filed in two cases
before the U.S. Supreme
Court: Moises SanchezLlamas v. State of Oregon
and Bustillo v.Virginia
Department of Corrections (2006).
Provided, expert non-partisan testimony on
the constitutionality of HB 5251 revising the State
School Code, made to the House Standing
Committee on Education of the Michigan
legislature (2006).
Presented, Protecting Reputation: Professional
Ethics for Litigating Public Interest Constitutional
Claims, at the Blackstone Legal Institute’s national
conference of civil rights lawyers in Laguna Niguel
(2006).
Presented, Responding to the Transnational
Invasion of American Jurisprudence, at a
symposium sponsored by the International
Law Society (2006).
Presented, Transnational Law and its Role in
Interpreting the United States Constitution, at a
national symposium at the Franklin Pierce Law
School in Concord, N.H. (2006).
Presented, The Connection between Personal
Virtue and Institutional Integrity, to the University
of Windsor Law School in Windsor, Ontario,
Canada (2006).
Presented, Bringing Justice to the Nations
— Using the Rule of Law to Protect Inalienable
Human Rights, to the Christian Legal
Foundation’s National Conference of Canadian
Law Students in London, Ontario, Canada (2006).
Sponsored, an Integrity Lecture Series where
members of the bench and bar speak and meet
with law students about issues of integrity in the
practice of law (2006).
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
23
alumni matters
letter from
20 Michaelmas Term 2005
alumni news
the alumni president
By Diane Britt,
Alumni Association President
A year as president of the Cooley Alumni
Association has passed quickly.
It has been a time of change, and still is. Cooley Law School and this
alumni association continue to reinvent themselves. Probably the clearest
evidence of this is that Cooley students can now earn all of their 90 law
school credits at any of Cooley’s three campus locations in Michigan. We
contact at each of Cooley’s three locations in Lansing, Grand Rapids, and
Grand Rapids Area Graduates, Staff, and
Students Socialize in June
on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester. It will both allow us,
Cooley’s western Michigan alumni and current students gathered
and require us, to be more flexible and diverse in our interactions. I
on June 27 at McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon on Ionia Ave. SW
believe we are up to the challenge.
in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. Forty-one alumni, students,
hope that this will also open the door for much more alumni and student
During the past year it has been a distinct pleasure for me to present the
Alumni Association’s Distinguished Student Awards for each term, as well
faculty, staff, and friends of the law school joined the hosts at the
alumni reception and student mixer.
as the annual Alumni Memorial Scholarship. These awards are given at the
Associate Dean of the Grand Rapids campus Marion Hilligan
three Honors Convocations held during the academic year. The awards
(Johnson Class, 1989), Alumni Association President Diane J.
are made by our association to several Cooley students who have not only
Britt (Chandler Class, 1983), Alumni Association Vice President
achieved scholastically, but who have also been outstanding in their partici-
and Professor Julie Clement (McDonald Class, 1998) and Alumni
pation in the larger community. Their résumés and letters of support say
Relations Director Darryl Parsell (Wiest Class, 1979) welcomed
much about them. Still, it has been exciting to meet them in person and
the guests. Alumni co-hosts Alumni Special Events Committee
hear their individual stories. We look forward to having these
Chair Aletha Honsowitz (Witherell Class, 1990), Lisa Pohl (Kuhn
outstanding students as future members of the alumni association.
Class, 1995), and Colleen Klesmith (Whipple Class, 1985) were
I see energy and enthusiasm among the alumni association members. I
a great help as they met and registered all of the guests.
have also seen this spark among those who have not yet become
Additional Cooley faculty and staff attending the reception and
members — and we hope you will consider becoming a member if you are
mixer included professors Curt Benson (Mundy Class, 1986),
not yet part of this organization. This energy and enthusiasm tends to be
Lynn Branham, Paul Carrier, and Don Petersen; GR Enrollment
self-renewing. It transforms and benefits all of us, whether we are alumni,
Coordinator David Dee, GR Assistant Dean Nelson Miller, and
staff, faculty, or students.
GR Deputy Director Joan Rosema-David (Jay Class, 2000).
In my experience, I have found that alumni association members are
In addition to the staff and distinguished guests already mentioned,
multi-faceted and multi-talented. As alumni association members, we apply
graduates attending included Patrick Beatty (Needham Class,
our talents and expertise, and are dedicated to building this association
2004), Maureen Burns Van Hoven (Grant Class, 1987), Ronald
and enhancing the Cooley Law School experience. Association members
David (Carr Class, 1984), Sandra Densham (Starr Class, 2005),
build bridges between alumni and students. They offer mentoring to new
Kathleen Dunne (Stone Class, 1996), Travis Earley (Boyles Class,
alumni and current students. They provide moral support, networking
2005), Patricia Gelderloos (Edwards Class, 2006), William Hawley
opportunities, and encouragement to alumni who live across Michigan, the
(Swift Class, 2004), Chris Krupp (Lawrence Class, 1991), David
nation, and the world. I thank you for the opportunity to be president of
Ledbetter (Douglass Class, 1987), Matthew Miller (Starr Class,
this vital and forward-thinking organization. I hope to see you at the
2005), and Jennifer Racine (McAllister Class, 2005).
alumni association’s local, state, and national events in the future.
Current students enjoyed the opportunity to network with the
graduates. Students at the mixer included Wafa Adib-Lobo, Mary
Brattain, Thomas Clark, Melanie Croft, Candace Daunis, Matt
DeLange, LeeAnn Ford, Aaron LeClair, Sharnelle Porter, Kim
Royster, Don Stauffer, R. John Stephan, and Roumiana Velikova.
24
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
alumni matters
21
We are very interested in hearing about you and your alumni news • E-mail the Alumni Office at [email protected]
In Memory
Howard Soifer, He specialized in litigation, zoning, and employment
law, but his passion for basketball, baseball, and football led him to represent several prominent professional athletes, including Steve Smith.
Lecture series launched in memory of Howard Soifer
The inaugural Howard Soifer Memorial Lecture in Sports and Entertainment Law welcomed NBA All-Star and
former Michigan State University All-American Steve Smith as one of two featured speakers May 22, 2006, at
Cooley Law School.
The lecture series was named for Howard Soifer (Christiancy Class, 1977), who passed away Jan. 29, 2003.
He was a shareholder in the law firm of Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C.
Soifer began his legal career as an Assistant Ingham County Prosecutor. After entering private practice, he specialized in litigation, zoning, and employment law. He frequently lectured at Cooley Law School and co-authored an
article published in the Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical Clinical Law regarding the 1998-99 NBA Lockout.
He specialized in litigation, zoning, and employment law, but his passion for basketball, baseball, and football led
him to represent several prominent professional athletes, including Smith. He was proud to have negotiated a
$2.5 million donation to Michigan State University by Smith, which was and still remains the largest gift from a
professional athlete to his alma mater.
Smith had been Soifer’s client ever since
the basketball star went “pro” at age 18.
“At that time,” Smith recalled, “Howard
became my lawyer. His favorite words
were ‘go for it.’ He pushed me to become
a better person. He always made sure I
understood the terms of every contract. He
would go over things again and again until I
understood it.” It didn’t take long for Soifer
and Smith to become friends.
He was proud to
have negotiated
a $2.5 million
donation to Michigan
State University by
Smith, which was
and still remains the
largest gift from a
professional athlete
to his alma mater.
Drawing upon that history, Smith, along with Russ Granik, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer
of the National Basketball Association, were chosen to launch the Soifer Memorial Lecture program.
Granik’s topic was “The Explosive Growth of Professional Sports: A Talk on Dramatic Changes Over the Last 30
Years From an Insider’s Perspective.” Smith spoke about his personal and professional relationship with Mr. Soifer.
The lecture was produced with the assistance of Cooley’s Center for Ethics and Responsibility. It was also the public
kick-off for the Howard Soifer Memorial fundraising campaign to endow the lecture series. Cooley plans to host the
lecture series annually, featuring keynote speakers from the sports and entertainment field. All proceeds benefit
future lectures. Donations can be made by contacting the Development Office at (517) 371-5140, ext. 2045.
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
25
alumni matters
Texas Alumni Scholarship Granted
to Student Maria Pardue
for Cooley’s Criminal Law Department under
law school.” Prospective Cooley students and
the supervision of Professor Dorean Koenig. She
other guests included Nadia Sara Haque, Kingsley
is interested in a career as a litigator, with special
Megwara, Pagah Pourreza, Christina Shuman,
interest in the area of criminal law.
Bill Stoll, Natalie Teemer, Jessica D. Weaver-Stoll,
Please consider helping Cooley students by
and Jessica Woghiren.
supporting the law school’s scholarship funds.
The group exchanged information regarding
Contact the law school by calling toll free (800)
their practice specialties and locations. They
243-ALUM or by e-mailing [email protected].
were advised of the many ways they could stay
Cooley Hosts June Reception in
Atlanta for Graduates and
Incoming Students
26
connected to their law school, both in service
and financial support. The graduates enjoyed
the opportunity to network and prospective
students appreciated the opportunity to get
Three Lone Star State graduates of Cooley Law
Cooley Law School held an Atlanta alumni
School have made the future a little brighter for
reception on June 8. Twenty-eight Georgia
a current student who came to the school from
alumni, prospective students, and friends joined
Texas. William D. Cox, III (Witherell Class,
hosts Alumni Association Vice President and
1990), Scott Doggett (Bacon Class, 1991), and
Professor Julie Clement (McDonald Class, 1998),
Donald Hood (Krinock Class, 1991) were gener-
and professors Eileen Kavanagh, Joseph Kimble,
Cooley Hosts Seventh Canadian
Krinock Lecture, Bringing
Toronto Alumni and Current
Students Together
ous contributors to the Texas Alumni Scholarship
Norm Plate, and Christopher Trudeau (Chase
Cooley Law School hosted a Krinock Lecture
Fund. In Trinity Term 2006, that fund was used
Class, 2002) at AZIO Downtown on Peachtree
and Reception at the University Club in Toronto
to give a $1,275 tuition credit to Maria Pardue,
Street in Atlanta.
May 26. The event was hosted by Professor Keith
who entered law school with the September
The alumni guests included Linda Bass (Stone
Hey and James Morton, Cooley Law School’s
2005 Kavanagh Class.
Class, 1996), Karen Fultz (McDonald Class,
Toronto Program co-directors.
Ms. Pardue earned her B.A. in English and her
1998), LaKeisha Gantt (Smith Class, 2003),
This year’s Canadian Krinock Lecture featured
M.S. in education from Baylor University in
Vickie Hughes (Toy Class, 2003), Ray Lail
Edward (Tom) Boughter of the Political/Economic
Waco, Texas. She also held a position after
(Ostrander Class, 1994), Jule McReynolds (Reid
Section of the U.S. Consulate General. He spoke
graduation from Baylor as a middle school lan-
Class, 2006), Michael Mondy (Boyles Class,
on U.S./Canadian relations, particularly about the
guage arts and computer teacher with the Waco
2005), Kathy White (Williams Class, 1994),
issues relating to trash shipments from Ontario
Intermediate School District. She has lived in
and Katrina Wilson (Swainson Class, 2003).
to Michigan. Many in the crowd mingled until the
many parts of Texas including Houston, Austin,
In addition to being a great opportunity for alum-
closing hour.
Arlington, and Irving. She has been in Texas
ni to catch up on the news from their school and
Associate Dean for International, Graduate and
since she was 12 years old, but came a long way
longtime friends, the reception offered incoming
Extended Programs Bill Weiner, Professors Paul
from her birth home in Poland.
students a chance to learn more about the legal
Carrier and John Scott, and graduates Antonio
Ms. Pardue said that when she became aware of
education process. Graduate Ray Lail said it was
(Tony) DeBartolo (Toy Class, 2003), Melissa
the Texas Alumni Scholarship, it “…made my
“refreshing to speak with the students. They all
Gust (Fead Class, 1999), Raffaele Masellis
heart skip a beat or two because I just received
seemed very anxious and excited about attending
(Iredell Class, 2001), Paul Ramacieri (Lawrence
my annual letter indicating how much I owe for
Cooley. I sat with Professor Kimble and a local
Class, 1991), John Reva (Paterson Class, 2002),
school already. Because a law degree is a vital
Atlanta lawyer whose daughter will be attending
Anthony Savaglio (Starr Class, 2005), Elka
element to pursuing a career in law, I can cope
Cooley this fall.”
Zagazeta (McAllister Class, 2005) and Norka
with the high numbers of debt for the time
Lail’s impressions were backed up by Cooley’s
Zagazeta (Needham Class, 2004) joined numer-
being. I would like to create scholarships and
Director of Enrollment & Student Services
ous current Cooley students and friends of the
give back to Cooley when I am able. I appreciate
William H. Arnold. “We know from recent
law school. In all, more than 60 people attended
the opportunity of receiving assistance from the
research on prospective students that having the
the program.
Texas alumni.”
opportunity to meet with the school’s graduates
Ms. Pardue has distinguished herself academically
is second only to visiting the campus in terms of
at Cooley by assisting with the editing of a book
influencing a student’s decision to apply to that
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
some first-hand information about Cooley.
Grand Rapids Bar Salutes President
Don LeDuc at Law Day Festivities
power within one branch, but in the long run, the
Support David Tarrien. Kim Coleman, the
checks and balances designed into the system do
Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Bar
in fact serve to bring those powers back into
Association, co-hosted the event with Cooley.
equilibrium.
Alumni guests included members of the following
classes: James Alexander (Adams Class, 1997),
Online Alumni Database Ready to
Meet Your Needs
Alumni Association Past Presidents Committee
Would you like to find another Cooley graduate
Chair Virginia P. Allen (Wing Class, 1982), John
for a case referral in a different location or with a
Boyko (Dethmers Class, 1981), Steven Buquicchio
particular specialty you need? Would you like to
(Voelker Class, 1997), Barbara Craft (Ransom
locate a friend from school with whom you have
Class, 1978), Thea Davis (Reid Class, 2006),
lost touch? The Cooley alumni database is ready
Kathy Dunne (Stone Class, 1996), Travis Earley
for your use, whenever and wherever you need it.
Cooley Law School’s annual Law Day luncheon
(Boyles Class, 2005), Tonya Fedewa (Carr Class,
It is always worthwhile to review your information
was held May 1 at the Western Michigan
1984), Elizabeth Gauthier (Wilson Class, 2001),
listing on the searchable alumni database. Make
University Graduate Center in downtown Grand
Jane Hofmeyer (Wilson Class, 1990), Richard
sure it is up-to-date and that all of your practice
Rapids, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Bar
Krause (Dethmers Class, 1981), Diane Munson
specialty areas are listed. Please list your office
Association. One hundred and five guests, includ-
(McAlvay Class, 1984), Stephanie Neal (Bushnell
information to maximize your referrals from
ing Cooley’s graduates, faculty, and staff, and
Class, 1980), Bradford Winkler (Stone Class,
other Cooley graduates.
other members of the Grand Rapids legal
1996), and Lori Zellers (McDonald Class, 1998).
community attended the program.
The Cooley Law School website can be found at
These alumni guests were joined by a large num-
www.cooley.edu. Once there, click on the word
Grand Rapids Campus Associate Dean Marion
ber of Cooley’s administration, faculty, and staff,
‘Alumni’ at the top of the home page. When you
Hilligan (Johnson Class, 1989) welcomed the
including Associate Dean of Community Relations
reach the specific alumni section, you will see a
group and spoke on Cooley Law School’s partner-
Helen Mickens (Bushnell Class, 1980), Associate
listing of options on the top of the page. Click on
ship with the Grand Rapids legal community.
Dean of Development James Robb, Associate
‘Directory and Services.’ The next page will desc-
Cooley’s President and Dean, Don LeDuc, then
Dean of the Library Duane Strojny; Associate
ribe the services available. At the bottom of that
received the Grand Rapids Bar Association’s
Dean of International, Graduate and Extended
page, click on ‘Alumni Directory Terms of Use.’
President’s Award from 17th Circuit Court Chief
Programs William Weiner; Associate Dean of
Judge Paul Sullivan for the many benefits that he
Enrollment and Student Services Paul Zelenski,
has brought to the Grand Rapids community by
Assistant Dean of Admissions Stephanie Gregg,
establishing the law school’s campus in downtown
Professors Curt Benson (Mundy Class, 1986),
Grand Rapids. President LeDuc credited the work
John Brennan, Paul Carrier, and Mike Molitor.
of the law school’s faculty, staff, and students in
this achievement.
Cooley staff members in attendance included
Career Services Director Bernice Davenport, GR
One development that illustrates the partnership
Enrollment Coordinator Dave Dee, Career
between the law school and the Grand Rapids
Services Deputy Director Kathy Fox, Development
legal community is the creation of the Legal
Director Thomas Garikes, Development Director
Assistance Center that has recently become an
Pam Heos, Graduate Programs Director Debra
independent resource for the people in the Grand
Hirsch (Sherwood Class, 1986), Alumni Special
Rapids area. President LeDuc anticipates many
Events Committee Chair and Grand Rapids Head
more joint activities in the future.
of Public Services Aletha Honsowitz (Witherell
The keynote speaker was U.S. District Court Chief
Class, 1990), Grand Rapids Campus Director CJ
Judge Robert Holmes Bell, who addressed the
Kruska, Alumni Relations Director Darryl Parsell
2006 Law Day theme, Liberty Under Law:
(Wiest Class, 1979), GR Administrative Assistant
Separate Branches, Balanced Powers. He spoke
Kathryn Postema, Grand Rapids Deputy Director
about how our constitutional system can result, at
Joan Rosema-David (Jay Class, 2000), Alumni
any particular time, in undue concentration of
Relations Office Executive Assistant Amy Swope,
Agree to the terms and a pop-up security box will
then ask for your username and password. The
username will always remain the word ‘alumni.’
The password changes each term and is disclosed
on the inside front cover of the Benchmark. Then,
click ‘Search’ at the top of the next page.
Select your factor(s) and click on the ‘Start search’
bar at the left side of the page. Please e-mail
[email protected] or call the Alumni Relations
Office at (800)243-ALUM (in the Lansing area call
371-5140, ext. 2038), if you have any problems
or wish to update your information.
The Student Recruitment
Committee: Supporting Admissions
A young husband asks, “How do I balance the
demands of law school with the needs of our
relationship?” A worried mother asks about the
job market awaiting her daughter upon law school
graduation. Countless prospective students want
and Grand Rapids Coordinator of Academic
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
27
feature
to be reassured that a Cooley degree will prepare
Dean Gregg and Director of Enrollment Programs
An early fog kept the golfers cool for a while but
them to pass the bar. These are sample questions
and Student Services Bill Arnold, as the
it became quite warm at the end, so the golfers
routinely fielded by alumni at the annual Cooley
Admissions Office devises a regional recruitment
were glad to enter the air-conditioned clubhouse
open houses held at the Lansing, Grand Rapids,
strategy. Local alumni will be invited to support
for the awards ceremony and lunch. The winning
and Oakland campuses. The open houses are a
various activities, including undergraduate campus
foursome was comprised of Jason Bomia, H.
favorite activity among alumni. In addition to
visits. The current members of this committee
William Stertz (Christiancy Class, 1977), and
answering the questions of prospective students
meet monthly and teleconferencing and e-mailing
Darryl Mumford. Team captain Judge Douglas
and their families, there is a chance to visit with
allows participation for non-local members. There
Dosson (Campbell Class, 1976) was unable to
faculty and other alumni and to enjoy refresh-
are 21 alumni from 17 different cities in Arizona,
attend, but the team seemed to do pretty well
ments on all three campuses.
Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, New
without him.
Alumni representation at every Cooley open house
York, Idaho, and Indiana serving as members of
Professor Ernie Phillips, Professor Mark Dotson
is just one of the ways the Student Recruitment
this geographically diverse committee. Newcomers
(Wilson Class, 1990), Fred Blackmond (Butzel
Committee supports the admissions program. As
are always welcome and anyone wishing to join in
Class, 1979), and Ray Purdy (Champlin Class,
a member of the Law School Admissions Council,
the exciting and rewarding work of recruiting new
1987) came in second. Thomas A. Halm (Carr
Cooley participates in a number of regional forums
students for Cooley Law School can contact
Class, 1984), Vincent Welicka (Pratt Class, 1988),
held around the country each year. These forums
Director of Alumni Relations Darryl Parsell at
David E. Prine (Sherwood Class, 1986), and
function in a manner similar to career fairs, but the
[email protected] or (517) 371-5140.
Charles Justian (Chandler Class, 1983) were the
exhibitors are law schools and the attendees are
July 2006 Alumni Memorial
Golf Outing Raised $13,000 for
Scholarship
third-place finishers.
prospective students. This past year, the committee
recruited local alumni to assist staff to tell the
Cooley story at forums in Washington D.C.;
golfers were Cooley graduates consisted of Peter
Cronk (Fead Class, 1999), Amir Mahjoory (Snow
Atlanta, Ga.; New York, N.Y.; Houston, Texas;
Class, 1998), Chris Brown (Flannigan Class, 1999),
Los Angeles, Calif.; the Bay Area, Calif.; and in
and George Betts (Moore Class, 1993). The group
western New York. This coming year, the Student
with the highest score was comprised of Lew
Recruitment Committee will once again contact
Langham (Blair Class, 2001), Bob Blacksher,
alumni to participate in these events.
Robert Orr, and Laura Graham (Wilson Class,
The partnership between the Student
2000). The team members with the highest num-
Recruitment Committee and the Admissions
ber of cumulative years since graduating from
Office is a vital one, according to Assistant
Cooley (and apparently the permanent winners
Dean of Admissions Stephanie Gregg. “Our
of this contest) were all graduates of the January
being able to introduce a prospective student
Seventy-six golfers played in the 2006 Alumni
1976 Cooley Class: Larry Nolan, Gary Tyler,
to one of our graduates gives us the chance to
Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing July 15, 2006.
Richard O’Neill, and Jerry Sutton.
show and tell. A conversation that begins
This was the seventh outing held at Wheatfield
In the category of individual awards, Rhonda
between a law school candidate and a practic-
Valley Golf Course near Williamston, Mich. The
Sanders (Wilson Class, 2001) sank the longest
ing lawyer who graduated from Cooley Law
annual gathering raises funds for the scholarship
putt. Fred Blackmond’s (Butzel Class, 1979) shot
School may cover what skills the lawyer uses
granted to current Cooley students each Hilary
made him the person who was closest to the pin.
every day, how those skills are honed, and how
Term.
Current student Anthony Sorentino made the
The Alumni Memorial Scholarship is awarded
longest men’s drive on the fairway, and Char
based upon financial need, academic achievement,
Bailey was the woman with the longest drive.
extracurricular activities, and other considerations.
The shortest drive was made by Amy
This year, $13,063.66 will be added to the schol-
Puffenberger. Unfortunately, no one won the
arship fund. The generosity of the golfers and hole
hole-in-one contest prize, a two-year lease of a
sponsors is greatly appreciated by the Alumni
2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT, although J. V.
Cooley Law School helped prepare that person
to become a member of the legal profession. It
also provides the graduate with the opportunity
to inspire someone else. Prospective students
and their parents often tell me that meeting
alumni helped them make the decision to
choose Cooley Law School for their education.”
28
The team with the lowest score in which all four
Association and Cooley’s students. Thirty-eight
Anderton came the closest.
This year, the Student Recruitment Committee
hole sponsors donated $200 each, and another 11
This year’s outing also determined the winners of
also looks forward to being an active partner with
sponsors donated prizes valued at $200 or more.
the Sixth Annual Cooley Cup. This is a traveling
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
Rapids; Law Offices of William D. Cox III, in
Dallas, Texas; The Daily Bagel; Delta Dental; The
Detroit Tigers; Farhat & Story, P.C.; GW
Company - Phyllis Groenewoud; Grand Rapids
Building Services, Inc.; Jeff Jablonski and Brenda
Popplewell; Kleinbrook Financial, Inc.
- Chip Kleinbrook; Henry J. Legere, Jr.; Lansing
Symphony Orchestra; Loomis, Ewert, Parsley,
Davis & Gotting, P.C.; Myers Nelson Dillon &
Shierk, PLLC; Plante & Moran; Rhoades McKee
trophy that recognizes the team with the lowest
Cooley Law School faculty members Terry
score that has at least three members from the
Cavanaugh, Gary Bauer, Mike Cox, Ron Bretz,
same law firm or legal employment association
Mary D’Isa, Judy Frank, Keith Hey, Dan McNeal,
(such as a prosecuting attorney’s office.) In 2000,
and Kathy Swedlow; Cooley Law School in Grand
the firm of Bernick, Omer & Radner, P.C. won the
Rapids faculty and staff members Curt Benson,
first Cooley Cup. In 2001, the Hubbard Fox law
Lynn Branham, Paul Carrier, David Dee,
firm won the prize.
Christopher Hastings, Marion Hilligan, CJ Kruska,
The cup returned to the firm of Bernick, Omer &
John Marks, Michael Molitor, Nelson Miller,
Jerry Sutton (Cooley Class, 1976) also donated
Radner in 2002 and stayed there through 2003,
Donald Petersen, Joan Rosema-David, David
luxury tickets to an MSU Spartans football game
2004, and 2005. Changing what seemed to be an
Tarrien, and Tracey Weaver; Cooley Law School
that were auctioned off to benefit the Alumni
unbreakable pattern, the 2006 Cooley Cup went
Law Library/Grand Rapids Aletha Honsowitz;
Memorial Scholarship Fund. Professor Ernie
to Kevin Roragen (Adams Class, 1997), Mike
Cooley Law School Law Library/Lansing faculty
Phillips submitted the winning bid.
Rhodes, Jeff Green, and J. V. Anderton of the firm
and staff members Marlene Coir, Michael Kukielka,
Following the completion of 18 holes of golf, the
of Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C.
Leah Fitch, Duane Strojny, and Marie Templo;
participants gathered at the Wheatfield Valley
Cooley Law School LL.M. Program - Associate
clubhouse for a steak lunch and the awards cere-
Dean Bill Weiner; Cooley Law School at Oakland
mony. Cooley Law School’s Alumni Association
University faculty members Stevie Barachkov,
thanks all of the golfers and donors who made the
David Berry, James Carey, Karen Chadwick, Mark
event so successful and invites everyone to attend
Cooney, Gerald Fisher, Lisa Halushka, Ashley
the July 2007 Alumni Memorial Scholarship Golf
Lowe, John Nussbaumer, Lauren Rousseau, John
Outing. It will take place in the afternoon of
The hole sponsors for the 2006 Alumni
Taylor, Gina Torielli, and Joan Vestrand; Cooley
Monday, Aug. 13, at the Country Club of Lansing.
Memorial Golf Outing were the members of
Law School Practice, Advocacy and Litigation Skills
the Alumni Association Executive Committee:
Department Professor Marjorie Russell; Cooley
Virginia P. Allen, George Betts, Larry Betz,
Law School President and Dean Don LeDuc;
Diane Britt, Chris Campbell, Mary Ann
Cooley Law School Purchasing Department;
Cartwright, Julie Clement, Aletha Honsowitz,
Cooley Law School Research & Writing
Garry Kregelka, Henry Legere, Jr., Darryl
Department faculty members Tammy Asher, Julie
Parsell, Marie Templo, and Charles R. Toy;
Clement, Eileen Kavanagh, Joe Kimble, Norm
AFLAC; Virginia P. Allen; Amway Grand Plaza
Plate, Chris Trudeau, and Ann Wing; Cooley Law
Hotel; Bernick, Omer, Radner, Ouellette, P.C.;
School staff members Tony Alvarado, Marylynn
Canteen Services; Mike Carr, Lee Wayne
Bain, Cherie Beck, Rich Boruszewski, Gus
Corporation; Clara’s Lansing Station Restaurant;
Breymann, Terry Carella, Kathy Conklin, Margie
Rush Clement; Cooley Law School; Cooley Law
Doyle, Audra Foster, Tom Garikes, Stephanie
School associate deans M. Ann Miller, John
Gregg, Pam Heos, Fifi Hussein, Amy Swope,
Nussbaumer, Amy Timmer, Paul Zelenski, Charles
Laurie Taylor, and Sherida Wysocki; Cooley Law
Mickens, Helen Mickens, and James Robb;
School Student Bar Association/ Lansing; Cooley
Cooley Law School Bookstore; Cooley Law School
Law School Student Bar Association/Grand
Beyond celebrating the athletic abilities of the
golfers, the contributions of hole sponsors and
other donors to the event must be recognized.
The Principal Sponsor was graduate Andrew P.
Gozinsky and Alumni Benefits Group.
Attorneys & Counselors; Ryan, Podein, Joyce and
Postema, P.C.; James Vlasic; Westlaw; and
Wheatfield Valley Golf Course.
In addition to the aforementioned hole sponsors,
the Lansing Lugnuts gave a contribution of prizes
that helped make the outing a success.
Please help us to increase the number of scholarships granted next year. There are few need-based
scholarships available at Cooley, and our Alumni
Memorial Scholarship is the most important one.
To build the fund, you can play golf at the 2007
outing, sponsor a hole, or make a direct contribution to the Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Contact Alumni Relations Director Darryl Parsell
at (800) 243-ALUM (in Lansing, call 371-5140,
ext. 2038), or e-mail [email protected] for
more information. He will return a donation
receipt for tax purposes to you along with the
appreciation of the Alumni Association.
Director of Alumni Relations Darryl Parsell;
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
29
class notes
class notes
1976 Campbell Class
Jordan, Stephen H., was
selected by his
peers to be
included in the
2007 edition
of The Best
Lawyers in
America for
Labor and
Employment Law. He is one of
eight Rothman Gordon attorneys
selected. He is a shareholder of
Rothman Gordon P.C., in
Pittsburgh, Penn., and has practiced law with the firm since 1976.
He also was honored with the Dr.
Howard A. Mermelstein
Leadership Award on May 18,
2006. The award is given to a
Jewish Family & Children’s Service
board member who displays leadership, talent, commitment to the
community, and dedication to the
mission of JF&CS. He has been a
member of the JF&CS of
Pittsburgh Board of Directors
since 1999, serving on the executive committee since 2001. He
was also named by Law & Politics
Magazine and Philadelphia
Magazine as a Pennsylvania Super
Lawyer in Labor and Employment.
He was also listed on The Top 50
Pittsburgh Super Lawyers list,
which is a list of lawyers within the
Pittsburgh area who received the
highest point totals in the balloting
and review process.
1977 Felch Class
Porteous, David, was named
as the 2006 Distinguished Alumni
recipient by the Reed City Area
Public Schools. He is in practice
30
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
The Benchmark encourages all graduates to contribute information
to the Class Notes. Please include graduating class name and year
when submitting your information. We encourage information about
your law practice and other accomplishments in the legal profession.
You can e-mail your Class Notes information to [email protected].
The Benchmark has a policy of not printing bar passage information.
with Porteous Law Office, P.C., in
Reed City, and is chairman of the
board of trustees at Michigan State
University.
1978 Marston Class
McFadden, Douglas, has been
appointed Chief Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney for
Montcalm County, Mich. He has
operated a private practice in
Belding, Mich., since 1978. He has
been an instructor in Montcalm
Community College’s criminal justice and paralegal studies program,
and was the founding instructor of
the Belding Police Reserve
Academy, where he teaches
criminal and constitutional law.
Ransom Class
Hagy, John, has joined the
senior management team of
MetaBank, it was announced by
Meta Payment Systems. He serves
as Chief Risk Officer and General
Counsel for all business units of
the Meta Financial Group, a publicly traded corporation. He came
to Meta from FSV Payment
Systems in Houston, Texas, where
he served as Chief Administrative
Officer and General Counsel for
over seven years.
Kelly Class
Pretty, Keith, was named president of Northwood University,
with campuses in Midland, Mich.,
Cedar Hill, Texas, and West Palm
Beach, Fla. Most recently, Pretty
served as president and chief executive officer of Walsh College, a
business school in Troy, Mich. He
has also served Western Michigan
University as its vice president for
external affairs and general counsel, was president and chief execu-
tive officer of the Western
Michigan University Foundation,
and in 1998 was appointed by
then-Gov. John Engler to design a
state Department of Career
Development that matched
Michigan’s education resources to
its business needs. In the private
sector, Pretty held government
affairs positions with Amoco
Corp. from 1980 to 1987. He is
also a former college football player who was drafted by the Green
Bay Packers.
1979 Wiest Class
Bailey, Janice Fuller, was
appointed Deputy City Attorney
for the city of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Phone: (616) 456-4026.
Phone: (212) 943-1090; e-mail:
[email protected].
Bushnell Class
Cagle, Mary, is the Chief
Executive
Officer of
CHARLEE
(Children
Have All
Rights, Legal,
Educational,
and
Emotional) of Dade County, Fla., a
foster care/adoption program for
the care of abused, neglected, and
abandoned children that has
helped thousands of children in
the foster care system begin a new
life. Previously, she served 22
years with the Miami-Dade State
Attorney’s Office, most recently
as Chief Assistant of Felonies and
Special Prosecutions. E-mail: [email protected].
Hertzberg, Robert S., a
partner with
Pepper
Hamilton
L.L.P., has
been elected
chairperson of
the board of
JVS Detroit, a
leading human services organization founded in 1941 as the Jewish
Vocational Service. The term is
for two years. He is a bankruptcy
lawyer and fellow of the American
College of Bankruptcy. He has
been practicing almost exclusively
in the bankruptcy and restructuring field for more than 25 years,
representing secured lenders,
debtors, debtors-in-possession,
trustees, creditors, and creditors’
committees.
Toy, Charles, was elected as a
commissioner
on the State
Bar of
Michigan. He
will serve a
three-year
term. He is a
shareholder at
Farhat & Story, P.C., in Lansing,
serves on the Executive
Committee of the State Bar as
treasurer, and chair of the Finance
Committee. He has been on the
representative assembly for eight
years.
1980 Potter Class
1982 Goodwin Class
Gair, Anthony H., was inducted into Best Lawyers in America.
Smolenski, Sara J., Chief
Judge for the 63rd District Court
in Kent County, Mich., has been
1981 Kavanagh Class
named the 2006 Athena Award
recipient. The award is given annually to an individual who has
demonstrated leadership in
her/his field, mentored and
opened doors of opportunities for
women, and contributed time and
talent to the community. Judge
Smolenski was honored Sept. 26
at an awards ceremony and luncheon given by the Grand Rapids
Area Chamber of Commerce.
Phone: (616) 336-4254; e-mail:
[email protected].
Brooke Class
Lynch, Denise K., was appointed by Colorado Gov. Bill Owens
as district court judge in the Ninth
Judicial District, encompassing Rio
Blanco, Garfield, and Pitkin counties. She has been assistant attorney for Garfield County since
April of 2003. Formerly, she was
a civil litigator in private practice.
1983 O’Hara Class
Murkowski, David, was
appointed by Michigan Gov.
Jennifer Granholm to the bench in
the Kent County (Michigan)
Probate Court. He will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of
Janet Haynes (Kavanagh Class,
1981). Murkowski most recently
was the managing partner in the
private practice firm Dilley, Dilley,
Murkowski & Goller.
Riethmiller, William, has
opened a second office at 8783
S.E. Fairwinds Way, Hobe Sound,
Fla. 33455. He continues to practice in personal injury, real estate,
and civil litigation. Referral fees of
25 percent. Phone: (561) 4470009; e-mail:
[email protected].
Chandler Class
Reynolds, Catherine M., of
Jackson, Mich., has been named
vice president and corporate secretary for CMS Energy and its
principal subsidiaries, Consumers
Energy and CMS Enterprises. She
has worked for the company for
27 years. She will manage CMS
Energy and Consumers Energy
corporate secretary activities, as
well as investor services and the
corporate records department.
Blair Class
Asbury, Kurt C., has been
named County Prosecutor for Bay
County, Mich. He has worked for
the office for 20 years, becoming
Chief Assistant Prosecutor five
years ago.
McNamara, E. Michael, has
accepted an Assistant Prosecutor
position with the Emmet County
Prosecutor’s Office in Petoskey,
Mich.
1984 Carr Class
DeVincent, Frank A., shareholder for the
Atlanta,
Georgia-based
law firm of
Davis,
Matthews &
Quigley P.C.,
has been
admitted to the American
Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
DeVincent has practiced in the
firm’s matrimonial and family law
section since joining the firm in
1989. Previously, he was associated with the national law firm of
Thorp, Reed and Armstrong.
1985 Whipple Class
Marabondo, Salvatore,
announces that the name of his
law firm, located at 26 Journal
Sq., Suite 1001, Jersey City, N.J.
07306, has changed to the Law
Offices of Salvatore Marabondo.
He continues to practice personal
injury law, and works considerably
as a court-appointed mediator,
and an arbitrator named by the
courts, insurance companies, and
retained by other attorneys. New
phone: (201) 792-0900;
e-mail: [email protected].
1986 Mundy Class
Blazs, Kevin, was appointed by
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to the Duval
County Court. Blazs, of
Jacksonville, was most recently a
partner with the law firm of
Gobelman, Love, Gavin, Blazs and
Wasilenko, a position he has held
since 1990. Previously, he served
as trial counsel in the Judge
Advocate General Corps of the
U.S. Army Reserve.
1987 Morse Class
Fleischmann, Frank, has been
named Executive Director of the
Legal Resource Center (LRC) in
Ann Arbor, Mich. The LRC is a
self-help center for individuals representing themselves in court.
Previously, he had a solo practice
in Charlotte, Mich., for five years.
His areas of practice have included
insurance defense, regulatory and
administrative law, criminal, family,
and landlord-tenant law.
1988 Pratt Class
Miles Class
Benda, Gail, is now in private
practice in Portland, Mich., developing a practice in equine law. She
formerly served as the Ionia
County Prosecutor.
Sherwood Class
O’Connor, Michael J., of
Frackville, Penn., was elected by
the Pennsylvania State Council of
the Knights of Columbus as the
Knights of Columbus State Deputy
for the Fraternal Years 20062008. In this role, he is the Chief
Executive Officer for the entire
jurisdiction of Pennsylvania which
totals over 66,000 members. He
is the head of Michael J.
O’Connor and Associates, L.L.C.,
with 14 offices throughout the
state. He was also a presenter at
the 2006 Annual Workers’
Compensation Seminar on March
10, 2006, in Sun Valley, Idaho. His
presentation, entitled “National
Issues in Workers’ Compensation
Law,” encompassed the concerns
surrounding specific state workers’ compensation systems
throughout the United States.
Phone: (570) 874-3300; e-mail:
[email protected].
Rombach, Tom, participated in
a panel discussion for a “Dealing
with the Media” seminar, April 29,
2006, with Michigan State Bar
President Thomas Cranmer and
Detroit Free Press columnist Brian
Dickerson, for the Representative
Assembly meeting.
Fuesting, Matt, was appointed
as an alderman on the city council
of West Chicago, Ill. He is an attorney with the law firm of Kupisch &
Carbon, Ltd.
Panarese, Joseph D., was
appointed by the Illinois Supreme
Court to the bench on the Cook
County Circuit Court. He formerly
served as the chief of staff to the
city clerk of Chicago. In addition to
his government work, Panarese has
maintained a private practice since
2000. Before that, he spent 10
years as an assistant state’s attorney in Cook County, trying more
than 300 cases and working his
way up from the Traffic Court
Division to the Special Prosecutions
Bureau.
1989 Copeland Class
Karpus, Mark R., of Matoon,
Ill., has joined the Glenn and Logue
Law Firm. Previously, he practiced
law for 10 years with the Brainard
Law Office in Charleston, Ill., and
for seven years with the Craig &
Craig Law Firm in Mattoon.
1990 Bacon Class
Morley, Daniel M., has joined
the law firm of
Smith Haughey
Rice & Roegge
as a shareholder in the
Traverse City,
Mich., office.
He focuses his
practice on banking and finance.
Prior to joining Smith Haughey,
Dan served as Vice President and
Trust Officer at First Bank, Upper
Michigan in Escanaba. His legal
experience includes practicing busiBENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
31
class notes
ness, banking, real estate, and
commercial law and litigation at
the law firm of Butch, Quinn,
Rosemurgy, Jardis, Bush, Burkhart
& Parks, P.C.
Wilson Class
McGinn, Cate, was appointed
as associate general counsel of
Global Security, Aviation and
Travel for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., in
Bentonville, Ark. Phone: (479)
277-2755; e-mail:
[email protected].
1991 Turner Class
Hulsing, Jon, was appointed to
the 20th Circuit Court bench in
Grand Haven, Mich. He most
recently served as an Ottawa
County Assistant Prosecutor. He
previously served as a police officer after undergraduate school
and while in law school, and then
worked in private practice.
1992 Montgomery Class
Frank, A.T., was appointed by
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm
to the Saginaw County District
Court bench. Frank most recently
was assistant general counsel for
the Michigan Economic
Development Corp. In 2003,
Granholm named him chairman of
the State Tax Commission, on
which he served for six months.
He also served as a legislator in
the Michigan House of
Representatives.
Durand Class
Perfetto, Louis, recently cofounded a full-service law firm,
Cohen & Perfetto, L.L.P., with
partners Marshall Cohen and
Jennifer Padnick on Madison
Avenue in New York City.
Perfetto focuses on all aspects of
real estate including development
(residential and commercial), lending and borrowing, ground leasing,
space leasing (office and retail),
sales and acquisitions for investors
and owners, government incentives and zoning. Clients range
from major private and corporate
developers, to Fortune 500 companies, to middle market lenders
and borrowers, to small businesses and first-time developers.
Carpenter Class
Legere, Henry J. Jr., and his
wife, Pam Heemer, announce the
birth of twins on April 14, 2006.
Benjamin weighed 6 lbs 12 oz and
measured 20 1/2 inches;
Johnathan weighed 6 lbs 3 oz and
measured 20 3/4 inches. E-mail:
[email protected].
1994 Ostrander Class
Clark-Kreuer, Rhonda, has
joined Chalgian & Tripp Law
Offices in Ithaca, Mich., as a partner. She previously had a solo
practice in St. Louis, Mich.
Brown, Michelle Simmons,
retired from the practice of law
July 1, 2006, and is living temporarily in Suzhou, China. She
plans to teach American business
law at the Kenneth Wang School
of Law. E-mail,
[email protected]
Stern, Steven, marks 10 years
with the firm of Davidow,
Davidow, Siegel & Stern in
Islandia, N.Y. The firm specializes
in elder law on Long Island and
Stern focuses on estate planning,
guardianships, business succession,
and long-term care planning for
clients.
1993 Moore Class
Williams Class
Nudo, Christopher, along
with the other members and staff
of the law firm of Nudo, Poteracki
& Associates, P.C., joined the firm
of Di Monte & Lizak, L.L.C., in
Park Ridge, Ill., Memorial Day
32
weekend, 2006. Nudo is a transactional lawyer, emphasizing business transactions, estate planning,
and real estate.
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
Stobbs, Steve, was appointed
as an associate judge in the 3rd
Judicial Circuit Court in
Edwardsville, Ill. He has served on
the Madison County Board, and
has most recently been a member
of the law firm of Stobbs &
Sinclaire, in Alton, Ill.
1995 Steere Class
Benchetrit, Michael, accepted
a partnership at an International
Law firm in Miami. He is now a
partner with Robert Allen Law in
Miami, Fla. Benchetrit is the head
of the Immigration Practice Group
and continues to represent international clients throughout the
country who have immigration
issues. Phone: (305) 372-3300;
e-mail: [email protected].
Pettinato, David, of Merlin
Law Group in Tampa, Fla., was
recently elected as Chair for the
Association of Trial Lawyers of
America’s Bad Faith Litigation
Section for 2006-2007. He practices First Party Property
Insurance Litigation in addition to
Insurance Bad Faith on behalf of
policyholders. He previously
served as Vice Chair for ATLA’s
Bad Faith Litigation section for
2005-2006. Phone: (813) 2291000.
Kuhn Class
Sanger, Brendan Joseph, of
Litchfield, Mich., was married Oct.
29, 2005, to Torrie Michelle
Cleland.
Selin, Todd S., has been named
a principal
partner in the
Lansing, Mich.based law firm
of Mallory,
Cunningham,
Lapka & Scott,
P.L.L.C. He
focuses his practice on domestic
relations litigation, character and
fitness defense, and corporate collections.
Stawiarski, Lawrence V., an
associate principal with the law
firm of Foley, Baron & Metzger,
P.L.L.C., in Farmington Hills,
Mich., was recently named president of the Livingston County
chapter of the Great Lakes
Interactive Marketing Association.
Stawiarski’s practice is concentrated in the areas of complex business litigation, general corporate,
product liability, and intellectual
property matters. Additionally, he
serves as local and national counsel throughout the United States
for several multi-national corporations and has expertise in representing start-up and high-tech
companies.
1996 Stone Class
Philipps, John N. Jr., has
been appointed as shareholder and
officer of the
law firm of
Chelus,
Herdzik,
Speyer, Monte
& Pajak, P.C., in Buffalo, N.Y. His
areas of practice include insurance
defense litigation, personal injury,
and commercial litigation. He is a
frequent lecturer at continuing
legal education seminars on civil
litigation issues. Phone: (716) 8523600.
Moody Class
Kubiak, Kelly, with the Merlin
Law Group in Tampa, Fla., was
recently elected as vice chair for
the Association of Trial Lawyers of
America’s Bad Faith Litigation
Section for 2006-2007. She practices First Party Property
Insurance Litigation and Insurance
Bad Faith claims on behalf of policyholders.
Moore, Robert C., of St. Louis,
Mo., and his wife, Suzanne,
welcomed their first child, Anna
Louise Moore, on April 4, 2006.
Shinabarger, Kimberly A.,
was married April 8, 2006, to
Jeffrey G. Harper. Kimberly
serves as general counsel/agency
manager of TitleAmerica in
Brighton, Mich. Phone: (810) 2294770; e-mail: [email protected].
Black Class
Fellows Class
Rooney, Sean, was appointed in
April 2006 to represent the
Western Region of the United
States on the National Board of
Directors of the National White
Collar Crime Center. The NW3C
is a congressionally funded, nonprofit organization whose membership is limited to law enforcement agencies, state regulatory
bodies with criminal investigative
authority and state and local prosecution offices. Sean has been an
attorney with the Enforcement
Division, California Department of
Corporations for nine years. Sean
primarily criminally prosecutes
securities, commodities, and
franchise felonies under California
state laws.
Strother, Philip Carter, of
Richmond, Va., representing a
family with an autistic son, won in
federal court in September. The
court ruled that the Hanover
County school system in Virginia
did not provide an appropriate
education for a 12-year-old boy
and must pay for his private
school tuition.
1997 Adams Class
Groen, Brian, was married to
Maribeth Perreault on Oct. 22,
2005, in Grand Rapids, Mich. He
is employed at Wardrop &
Wardrop, P.C. The couple lives in
Grand Rapids.
Voelker Class
Berry, Chad, was named as a
partner with
the law firm
of Jones &
Davis, L.L.P.,
in Dallas,
Texas. Jones
& Davis, L.L.P.
has offices in
Dallas, Denver, and Los Angeles.
His practice focuses on commercial litigation. E-mail:
[email protected].
Buquicchio, Steven, was
named one of the Business
Leaders Under 40 for 2006 by
Business Review Western Michigan.
He is with Varnum Riddering
Schmidt & Howlett L.L.P., and last
year was chosen as one of five
Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Up &
Coming Leaders in Law (and the
only one from western Michigan).
1998 Sharpe Class
Kranz, Roy, was named 2006
Prosecutor of the Year by the
Michigan Arson Prevention
Committee. He is the Chief
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for
Isabella County, Mich. E-mail:
[email protected].
Roys, Lisa, has accepted the
position of State Bar Public Affairs
director for the State Bar of
Wisconsin. She advises State Bar
members on government relations
strategies and tactics; assists sections, committees, and the Board
of Governors in developing legislation; and represents the State Bar
and its sections before the U.S.
Congress and Wisconsin State
Legislature. Roys also serves as
the chief liaison to the media,
State Bar members, the public,
and other associations. Phone:
(608) 250-6128, e-mail:
[email protected].
McDonald Class
Steiger, Rick, was appointed as
prosecutor for Presque Isle
County, Mich. Previously he
served as assistant county prosecutor for Presque Isle County.
1999 Flannigan Class
DuBois, Daniel J., has been
hired as an
associate by
the law firm of
Cohen &
Lombardo,
P.C., in
Buffalo, N.Y.
He concentrates his practice in the area of
criminal defense. DuBois previously served four years as an Erie
County Assistant District
Attorney. He also headed The
Law Offices of Daniel DuBois,
concentrating on criminal cases.
Gauthier, Aaron J., opened
the law office of Gauthier &
Goodrich, P.C., 10595 N. Straits
Hwy., Ste. 201, Cheboygan, Mich.
49721. He concentrates his practice in the area of appeals, estate
planning, and civil litigation.
Phone: (231) 627-2500. He is
joined by Melissa M. Goodrich of
the Chase Class, 2002.
Horvath, Tracy, and her husband, Tim Horvath, announce the
arrival of their daughter, Isabella
Grace Horvath, born Aug. 20,
2005. Isabella weighed 8 pounds,
2 ounces at birth and was 21 and
3/4 inches long. Tracy is an assistant prosecuting attorney for
Ingham County, Mich. Phone:
(517) 483-6204; e-mail: [email protected].
Scott, Bobby, opened a solo
law practice, Bobby Scott
Attorney at Law, P.L.L.C., at 113
W. Mountain St., Kernersville,
N.C., 27284, on July 1, 2006. It is
a general practice firm. He was
also recently promoted to captain
in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG
Corps. Phone: (336) 996-4500; email: [email protected].
Fead Class
Black, Steven E., has become
the managing partner of the 12attorney law firm of Forman
Rossabi Black, P.A. in Greensboro,
N.C., where he focuses his practice in real estate litigation and
land use law. Phone: (336) 3781899; e-mail: [email protected].
Stratton, Tim, was named by
Illinois-based investment bank
Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co.
as a new vice president of public
finance in its Chicago office. His
main focus will be on education
and Illinois municipalities. Stratton
comes to Hutchinson from four
years at Chapman and Cutler
L.L.P., the seventh-ranked bond
counsel firm in the nation.
Weadock Class
Taylor, Michael, and his wife,
Holly, announce the birth of their
daughter, Ainsley Grace, born on
June 7, 2006. He is with Arent Fox
P.L.L.C., in Washington, D.C.
Phone: (202) 775-5718; e-mail: [email protected].
2000 Jay Class
Dinser, Stacey, is an attorney
in Hamburg Township, Mich. She
focuses primarily on family law,
and also handles criminal law, juvenile law, and estate planning. She is
also an adjunct professor at Cooley
Law School and serves on the Sixty
Plus, Inc., Elderlaw Clinic board of
directors.
Philpot, Margaret, was promoted to
Senior
Associate in the
Ann Arbor,
Mich., office of
Kitch Drutchas
Wagner
Valitutti &
Sherbrook. Margaret joined the
firm in 2002 and is a member of
the firm’s malpractice team. She
previously worked as a commercial
actress and was an active member
of the Screen Actors Guild for over
20 years.
She has served as an adjunct faculty
member in both the intra-school
moot court and law practice
programs for Cooley Law School.
Rutledge Class
Borushko, Nancy, was promoted to Chief Assistant Prosecutor
for the Bay County, Mich.,
Prosecutor’s Office. She has been
with the office since 2001.
Habeck, Melissa K., was selected as a “2007 Rising Star
Attorney” for the state of
Washington by Washington Law
& Politics magazine. This is a peernominated award that only two
percent of the attorneys in
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
33
feature
Washington State receive. The
Rising Star award is for attorneys
under the age of 40 or who have
been practicing less than 10 years.
2001 Wilson Class
France, Jennifer, was married
on March 11, 2006, to Charles
France. She is in private practice
with her own firm, Jennifer J.
France Attorney at Law, in Sault
Ste. Marie, Mich. She focuses her
practice on criminal, family, tribal,
and appellate law. As part of her
practice, she is the public defender
for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of
Chippewa Indians. E-mail:
[email protected].
O’Brien, Jamie L., has joined
Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach
& Buiteweg, P.C., a family law firm
in Ann Arbor, Mich. O’Brien previously worked as a research attorney for a Livingston County probate judge.
Roper, Michael, has opened
Roper Law Firm at 600 High St.,
Ste. 101, Hazard, Ky. 41702. He
practices criminal defense, family
law, and personal injury. Phone:
(606) 487-0651; e-mail: [email protected].
Blair Jr. Class
Durkin, Terry, was promoted
to senior
associate in
the Detroit
office of Kitch
Drutchas
Wagner
Valitutti &
Sherbrook.
He focuses his practice on medical
malpractice defense litigation.
He joined the firm in 2002, after
clerking for the Hon. Thomas S.
Eveland of the Eaton County
Circuit Court.
Verlinden, Joy D., has joined
Susan G. Wideman (Ostrander
Class, 1994) of The Wideman
Law Center, P.C., in Marquette,
Mich. She is experienced in probate and estate planning; proper-
34
BENCHMARKTRINITY 2006
ty, business, construction, and
family law; insurance matters, and
litigation. Phone: 906-226-4600.
ness, and civil matters. Phone:
(734) 480-9100; e-mail:
[email protected].
Wandalowski, Alan G., has
joined the law firm of Mosebach,
Funt, Dayton & Duckworth, with
offices in Allentown and
Bethlehem, Penn., on June 19,
2006. Alan resides in Orefield,
Penn., with his wife, Susan, and
son, Owen.
Paterson Class
Iredell Class
Chase Class
Coodin, Steven M., has his
own law practice, Coodin Law
Offices, L.L.C., at 7300 Hudson
Blvd., #290, Oakdale, Minn.
55128. His main practice areas are
criminal defense, family law, and
personal injury. Phone: (651)
209-6654; e-mail:
[email protected].
Goodrich, Melissa M., opened
the law office of Gauthier &
Goodrich, P.C., 10595 N. Straits
Hwy., Ste. 201, Cheboygan, Mich.
49721. She is joined by Aaron J.
Gauthier (Flannigan Class, 1999).
She concentrates her practice in
the area of family law. Phone:
(231) 627-2500.
McGraw, J.R., was named president of the Central Michigan
Chapter #210, of the Society of
Financial Service Professionals.
2003 Swainson Class
2002 Johnson Class
Homrich, Jennifer L., has
opened the Law Offices of
Jennifer L. Homrich, P.L.C., at 29
E. Front Street, Monroe, Mich.
48161. She represents clients in
the areas of estate planning, probate administration, real estate,
family law, and business law.
Phone: (734) 240-4900. E-mail:
[email protected].
O’Neill, Julie A., has opened
O’Neill Law Firm, P.L.L.C., at 115
W. Allegan St., Ste. 1000, Capitol
Hall Bldg., Lansing, Mich., 48933.
She specializes in criminal defense,
domestic matters, and personal
injury. Phone: (517) 374-7870.
Sevick, Christopher A., has
opened the Law Office of
Christopher Sevick, P.L.C., at 124
Pearl Street, Ste. #405, Ypsilanti,
Mich., 48197. He most recently
worked full-time in real estate for
eight years. Christopher focuses
on estate planning, estate administration, and probate matters, real
estate transactions, general busi-
Rikon, Joshua H., of New
York, N.Y., was appointed vice
chair of the Condemnation
Committee of the ABA Section of
Real Property, Probate, and Trust
Law. Phone: (212) 422-40000;
e-mail: [email protected].
Harris, Christopher R.,
has joined the law firm of Morgan
& Morgan, P.A., in Coconut
Grove, Fla. His practice areas
include family law, commercial
litigation, and personal injury.
Phone: (305) 569-9900; e-mail:
[email protected].
Smith Class
Towle, Amy S., has joined
Sachs Sax Klein as an associate in
Palm Beach, Fla. She was previously an assistant state attorney for
the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s
Office.
Toy Class
Bennett, Franklin A. III,
opened a real estate and law
office, Bennett & Associates,
L.L.C., 7104 Rising Sun Ave.,
Philadelphia, Penn. 19111. Phone:
(215) 744-5550; e-mail:
[email protected].
2004 Cross Class
Gear, John, is teaching Energy
Law at Cooley during Fall Term
2006.
Gunter, Jacob S., moved his
solo practice to 401 N. Main St.,
Ann Arbor, Mich., 48104. He also
received the Washtenaw County
Bar Association’s Pre-Eminent
Young Lawyer Award. Phone:
(734) 913-8110; e-mail: [email protected].
Poindexter, Stephen H., has
opened his own law firm at 306
Public Sq., Columbia, Ky. 42728.
He also married Dr. Kristy
Flowers Poindexter on June 24,
2006, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Phone: (270) 385-9501; e-mail:
[email protected].
2005 McAllister Class
Johnson, Nicholas, and
Jennifer Smith (McAllister
Class, 2005) were married May
27, 2006, and reside in Antioch,
Ill. Nicholas continues to practice
law for Querrey & Harrow, Ltd. in
Waukegan, Ill. He focuses his practice on construction litigation, construction lien law, municipal
defense, attorney malpractice
defense, and personal injury
defense. He also sits on the Lake
County Contractors Association’s
Professional Services Committee.
Miller, Mark, recently joined the
law firm of Hults & Helder,
P.L.L.C., in Big Rapids, Mich., as an
associate attorney. His practice
includes criminal defense, family
law, personal injury, Michigan NoFault and wrongful death issues,
landlord/tenant, real estate, and
business law. He also was married
Jan. 28, 2006, to Amber Weerstra
at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
Phone: (231) 796-3525; e-mail:
[email protected].
Miller-Watson, Felicia, has
taken a position as an associate
with the Milwaukee, Wisc., office
of Borgelt, Powell, Peterson &
Frauen S.C. Her area of practice is
workers’ compensation defense
and liability defense. She was also
an instructor for the Fall 2005
University of MilwaukeeWisconsin Mini-Course of Law and
Court. Prior to this new position,
she was an associate with
Spencer & Associates, L.L.C., in
Milwaukee. Phone: (414) 2879159; e-mail: [email protected].
Olson, Charity A., an attorney
with Plunkett & Cooney, P.C., in
Bloomfield Hills, Mich., was among
the featured speakers during a
roundtable discussion on diversity
held at Lawrence Technological
University. The purpose of the
event was to analyze arguments
made in a fall 2005 debate about
affirmative action in Michigan educational institutions.
Smith, Jennifer, and Nicholas
Johnson (McAllister Class, 2005)
were married May 27, 2006, and
reside in Antioch, Ill. Jennifer continues to practice law for Zank,
Coen, & Wright, P.C., in Crystal
Lake, Ill. She focuses her practice
on debt collection, family law, and
general civil litigation.
Boyles Class
Chikovsky, Arielle, won the
American Eagle Outfitters Live
Your Life online essay contest and
donated the $25,000 prize to
www.hopeforvision.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
eradicating blindness.
Niven, Chad, has started his
own law practice at 8180 N.
Hayden Road, Suite D-204,
Scottsdale, Ariz., 85258. His practice covers criminal litigation as a
prosecutor for contracted Arizona
towns as well as criminal defense.
Photo radar defense has become a
specialty. Phone: 480-766-1168;
e-mail: [email protected].
Raqueno, Marietta E., has
joined the law firm of Gilbert &
Marlowe, in Santa Ana, Calif., as
an associate. She practices in the
area of family law. She also volunteers with the Harriett Buhai
Center for Family Law in Los
Angeles where she assists clients in
issues of divorce, custody and visi-
tation, spousal and child support,
paternity, and domestic violence.
Starr Class
Densham, Sandra J., has
joined the
Grand Rapids
office of
Plunkett &
Cooney, P.C.
She was formerly a paralegal specialist
for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in
Grand Rapids, Mich. Densham
focuses her practice on title insurance, labor and employment law,
and litigation involving premises,
product and motor vehicle liability.
She is a member of the firm’s
Complex and Commercial
Litigation practice groups.
Gower, Jason, has opened a
solo practice, Gower Law, at Bay
Justice Building, 814 N. Monroe,
Bay City, Mich. His practice is
focused on criminal defense,
Michigan administrative matters,
and personal injury. E-mail: [email protected].
2006 Reid Class
Baumann, Joseph J.,
has joined
the law firm
of Dykema
Gosset in
the firm’s
Government
Policy
Department.
He is an associate in the firm’s
Lansing office. His practice focuses
on state government law and
government relations. Formerly,
he was a legal analyst with the
Michigan Department of
Community Health and a legislative
aide to the chairman of the
Appropriations Committee in the
Michigan House of Representatives.
Hoffmann, Miller & LaLone, P.C.
He previously was a law clerk at
the firm. Bender’s industry
expertise includes mechanical engineering, powertrain components,
automatic transmissions, clutch
plates, transfer cases, and limited
slip differentials. Phone: (248)
364-4300.
Davis, Thea D., has joined the
law firm of Miller Johnson in
Grand Rapids, Mich., as an associate. She practices in the area of
litigation.
O’Brien, Alex, has been hired
as an assistant state attorney in
Kankakee, Ill.
Thomas, Carrie M., has
joined the law firm of Campbell &
Kording, Ltd., in Bloomington, Ill.,
as an associate. Phone: (309)
828-3600; e-mail:
[email protected].
Welch, Amy Gracelyn, of
Murrells Inlet, S.C., was married
Aug. 5, 2006, to Bryan Kennedy
Wates of Kingstree. The couple
resides in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
IN MEMORIAM
1988 Green Class
Baumann, Jeffrey L., 53, died
unexpectedly July 21, 2006. He
was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He
formerly served as a police officer
for the Dowagiac Police
Department, then as Chief
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for
Cass County. In 1997, he was
named the Administrator in Charge
of the Office of Audit, Internal
Affairs and Litigation for the
Michigan Department of
Corrections. He was also a DeWitt
Township Trustee. His son, Joseph
Baumann, is also a Cooley graduate
(Reid Class, 2006).
1989 Douglass Class
Tier, Ronald G., 58, of Gladwin,
Mich., passed away Aug. 11, 2006,
at the Mid-Michigan Medical Center,
in Midland, Mich., following a brief
illness. He had a career practicing
law in Gladwin.
Werkema, Melisa M., has
joined the law firm of Foster Zack
Little Pasteur & Manning, P.C., in
Okemos, Mich. She focuses her
practice on trusts and estates,
probate litigation, and commercial
litigation.
Bender, Ron, has been promoted to associate attorney at the
Auburn Hills, Mich., intellectual
property law firm of Warn,
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