Spring 2012 Benchmark Alumni Magazine

Benchmark THE THOMAS M. COOLEY

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Lansing, MI Permit No. 241

LAW SCHOOL MAGAZINE

SPRING 2012

300 South Capitol Ave. P.O. Box 13038 Lansing, MI 48901 Change Service Requested

Early Entry Capital City River Run Weekend of Races September 15-16, 2012 Sohns Kids’ Races Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 Impression 5 Half Marathon Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 5k Race for Education Cooley 5K Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012

A More Diverse Legal Profession Judge Hugh Clarke, (Wiest Class, 1979) says that since he graduated, he has seen a significant change in the diversity of attorneys who are practicing law.

Inside

Cooley Student and Adventure Seeker – Charles Hamel A Man on a Mission – Professor E. Christopher Johnson Cooley Announces Tampa Bay Campus Faculty

ccriverrun.com

13th Annual Cooley 5K Race for Education

school news

ICG.0212.002.BM

Benchmark

TThe Thomas M. Cooley Law School Alumni Magazine

Editor Terry Carella Co-Editor Sharon Matchette Contributing Writers SeyferthPR seyferthpr.com Design Image Creative Group imagecreativegroup.com Photography Cover © Gennara Photography gennara.com Call for Submissions The Benchmark is seeking story ideas from graduates. We are looking for stories on a variety of subjects such as graduate achievements, international law, cultural diversity, legal information helpful to practitioners, unique law practices, advice to prospective law students, and special events.

If you would like to share a story idea, please write, call, or e-mail: Communications Office Thomas M. Cooley Law School P.O. Box 13038 Lansing, MI 48901

Phone: (517) 371-5140 ext. 2916 Fax: (517) 334-5780 E-mail: communications@cooley.edu cooley.edu

Letter from Cooley STAYING IN TOUCH

In this issue, as in all other issues of Benchmark and Benchmark Column, we proudly highlight the accomplishments of alumni, faculty, staff, and students. We also feature important events held across our campuses. It is always heartening to receive so many positive comments from you upon reading these publications.

But these publications are just one way in which we stay in touch with you and vice versa. I want you to know of some other good ways.

COOLEY’S NEW BLOG: At the beginning of the year, we launched our new blog, cooleylawschoolblog.com.

We have posted some great pieces about Cooley, our students, and alumni. You will enjoy Michael Sobel’s (Wiest Class, 1979) memorable account of early Cooley days. You will be fascinated by the postings from Cooley student Michelle Zurcher reporting on her wonderful foreign study trip to Australia. You will love the story from Ann Arbor campus students Tara Lay and Andrew MacLeod who met as first-termers, fell in love, got married, and are now proud parents of Baby Sam. Finally, I invite you to send your own story to us for consideration. E-mail us at blogpost@cooley.edu.

Cooley professor honored by Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters

Professor E. Christopher Johnson, Jr. recognized as one of the nation’s most influential black attorneys

The Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters (the Academy) has awarded the Cohn Prize in Law and Public Policy Scholarship to Cooley Law Professor Norman Otto Stockmeyer. He was honored for his paper "The Tortuous History of the Mutual-Mistake Doctrine in Michigan Contract Law," which was presented at the academy's 2011 annual conference.

Professor and Director of Cooley’s graduate degree program in Corporate Law and Finance, E. Christopher Johnson, Jr. has been selected as one of the nation’s most influential black attorneys working in government or academics by On Being A Black Lawyer Media Company (OBABL). Johnson’s selection will place him on OBABL’s inaugural Power 100 Special Edition list.

Professor Stockmeyer's paper has been published in the academy's academic journal, Michigan Academician, and can be accessed at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1789778.

COOLEY’S LINKEDIN GROUP: Nearly 2,200 Cooley alumni and students have joined our new LinkedIn Group. In our group, we exchange case referrals, practice tips, and job leads. If you are not already on LinkedIn, go to LinkedIn.com and create your own account, then access the Cooley Law School Community under the Groups tab. Being a member of Cooley’s LinkedIn Community is a great way to share professional references and tips.

The Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters is a regional, multidisciplinary academic society. The academy awards the Cohn Prize for the paper presented at the annual conference that best contributes to the existing scholarly literature on the topic of law or public policy.

COOLEY'S ALUMNI EVENTS: We have nearly 20 events planned across the nation over the next few months. See the events listings and make an RSVP easily by clicking on our alumni webpage at cooley.edu/alumni/events.html.

The Cohn Prize recognizes Judge Avern L. Cohn for his patronage of the academy and legal scholarship.

C COOLEY ALUMNI DIRECTORY: We have commissioned Publishing Concepts, Inc. to produce our first printed alumni directory in many years. When you are contacted by PCI on our behalf, we hope that you will update your contact information, the better for us all to reach one another.

We love hearing your Cooley stories, we value your comments, and we enjoy the chance to see you in person. So please stay in touch!

PProfessor Johnson is a national leader in efforts to increase access to law school and expand diversity in the legal profession. He is vice chair of the Council for Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Educational Pipeline (formerly the Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity) and a member of the American Bar Association (ABA) Council for Legal Education Opportunity. He is a member of the ABA Section of Legal Education Standards Review Committee and a past chair of the ABA Africa Law Council.

OBABL produces e-newsletters, events and social media platforms to engage black legal professionals in an effort to help advance diversity in the legal profession. OBABL has been recognized by the American Bar Association, National Black Law Students Association, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

Sincerely, Postmark: Benchmark is published twice a year by the administrative offices of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, P.O. Box 13038, Lansing, MI 48901

ALUMNI DATABASE

James D. Robb Associate Dean of Development and Alumni Relations robbj@cooley.edu

The user name will always remain the word alumni. The password changes are disclosed in Benchmark on the inside front cover.

Please call the Alumni Relations Office at 517-371-5140, 517-371-5140, ext. ext. 2038, 2038, or or e-mail e-mail aalumni@cooley.edu if you have any problems.

The current password for this term is knowledge.

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Join your fellow alumni on LinkedIn®

contents THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL BENCHMARK SPRING 2012

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A MORE DIVERSE LEGAL PROFESSION

Judge Hugh Clarke, (Wiest Class, 1979) says that since he graduated, he has seen a significant change in the diversity of attorneys who are practicing law.

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A MAN ON A MISSION

Cooley Professor E. Christopher Johnson advocates for the elimination of human trafficking.

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THE 13TH ANNUAL COOLEY 5K RACE FOR EDUCATION

COOLEY ANNOUNCES

TAMPA BAY FACULTY TAMPA BAY COOLEY ANNOUNCES

FACULTY

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COOLEY STUDENT AND ADVENTURE SEEKER

Charles Hamel’s life has been an adventure. Born in Washington, D.C., he spent much of his childhood in Uruguay before moving to Alaska.

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COOLEY ANNOUNCES TAMPA BAY FACULTY

Top-notch legal professionals join Cooley at our Tampa Bay campus, ready to educate the next generation of practiceready attorneys.

Cooley News

pg. 18-20

• Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra speaks at Cooley’s Auburn Hills campus • The health of health care debated on April 11– Event offers diverging views on resource allocation • Cooley celebrates Equal Access to Justice Day • Cooley Professor Otto Stockmeyer honored by Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters • Professor E. Christopher Johnson, Jr. recognized as one of the nation’s most influential black attorneys

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Hugh Clarke, (Wiest Class, 1979) Judge for the 54-A District Court in Lansing, Michigan

A MORE DIVERSE LEGAL

PROFESSION Judge Hugh Clarke says that since he graduated, he has seen a significant change in the diversity of the attorneys who are practicing law.

Hugh Barrington Antonio Clarke II, 57, of Lansing, Mich. was appointed judge of the 54-A District Court in Lansing on Dec. 20, 2010. Clarke (Wiest Class, 1979) says that since he graduated, he has seen a significant change in the diversity of the attorneys who are practicing law.

“While attending Cooley, I was working as a parking lot attendant in the same lot where then Cooley President Thomas Brennan Sr. parked,” Clarke explained. “He would talk to me on a regular basis and, one day, he asked me what the school could do to become more diverse and welcoming to minorities.”

At that time, Clarke helped form the Black Law Students Association at Cooley and he began going on recruitment trips with then Professor Don LeDuc in an effort to make the law profession more diverse. Eventually, Clarke co-founded the Lansing Black Lawyers Association.

Growing up in Detroit, Clarke first experienced integration when he was bused to a middle school in a white neighborhood. He still recalls the not-so-positive greeting when his bus arrived on the first day of school. “A third of the way through the school year, some of the same students who had used racial terms on our first day of school started to protect us,” said Clarke.

“Going to law school was an eye-opening experience.

By the time I went to Cass High School in Detroit and then to Wayne State University, things were pretty well integrated. When I got to Cooley, I was the only African-American in the class orientation on Friday, and on Monday it was still just me,” Clarke recalled.

“I remember on Monday morning three other black males were looking through the classroom window to see how many new minorities were enrolled.”

Clarke soon realized that the rigors of law school were enough to ease his personal tensions about race. In addition to President Brennan, Professor Peter Jason helped ease the transition, sharing tips on how to succeed in law school. To this day, Clarke shares one of those tips with anyone who is studying the law or beginning a practice. He explains to them, “You must communicate in writing to the professor that you know the material just as you must communicate to a judge that you know why the law favors your client. If you can’t communicate your defense, your client loses and, if you can’t communicate in writing to your professor that you know the material, then your grades will reflect it.”

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Today, Judge Clarke looks at the Ingham County Circuit Court as a great example of how the legal field has become more open for individuals from all ethnic backgrounds and both genders.

Today, Judge Clarke looks at the Ingham County Circuit Court as a great example of how the legal field has become more open for individuals from all ethnic backgrounds and both genders. “We went from a male-dominated circuit court to a female-dominated circuit court,” he observed. “This is a good thing. Only good things can happen when you bring more people with diverse backgrounds into decision-making roles.”

Outside of the law, Clarke is a self-proclaimed “golf-a-holic.”

He is married to Dr. Judi Brown Clarke, an Olympic silver medalist in the 400 meter hurdles during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. The couple enjoys the challenges of raising their son Tony and watching him compete both athletically and academically. The Clarkes currently have limited guardianship of one of Tony’s classmates whose parents were transferred out of the area for a new job and thought it was best to let their son graduate from high school with his friends.

Clarke’s involvements go beyond family. He has coached youth baseball and basketball in Lansing for nearly a decade and has served on the school board in the City of Lansing. Since serving on the school board, Clarke has helped launch some very important programs, including meals for middle school students involved in athletics at no cost to the school district.

When Lansing Public Schools students excelled on the Michigan Education Assessment Program Test, Clarke wanted to reward the students for their hard work and, without any additional cost to the district, he found community sponsors who were willing to give pizza parties to elementary school classes, when 100 percent of the students exceeded their grade levels in math or reading.

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“I am doing what is right for kids. My decisions on the school board were based on one question, ‘How does this help the kids?’” Clarke said. “I support public education and I am proud of the students.”

As an attorney, Clarke learned early on that you have to be committed to be successful. After graduating from Cooley, Clarke worked for the Michigan Senate and, after which in 1981, he went into private practice.

He quickly built a reputation as an attorney who was willing to go to court and fight hard for his clients.

“It took me two years to build a reputation as a fighter for individuals,” said Clarke. “Whenever anyone walked in the door with work, I would get on the case.”

Clarke took his dedication and commitment as a father, husband, lawyer and community leader with him to the bench. “I had a lot of mentors and have been in front of a lot of judges during my 30 years as an attorney,” Clarke recalled. “Being on the bench is an awesome authority and I want to be the type of judge that lawyers and the public are proud to come before.”

Clarke worked for the Michigan Senate and, after which in 1981, he went into private practice. He quickly built a reputation as an attorney who was willing to go to court and fight for people.

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CLIMBING FOR A CAUSE

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feature Charles Hamel, Cooley Law School Student

Charles Hamel’s life has been an adventure.

Born in Washington, D.C., he spent much of his childhood in Uruguay before moving to Alaska.

“I was drawn to Alaska because I had very little money after my first year of college and I had heard about how prosperous the commercial fishing industry was,” he said. “Fifteen seasons later, I had put myself through the University of Alaska. I like to think that salmon paid for everything.”

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“Rock climbing is my passion, so it became an outlet for me when school got challenging,” he said. “I taught climbing classes at the YMCA and spent a lot of time in Grand Ledge, Mich. Climbing was something that helped me unwind.”

After earning two undergraduate degrees and a master’s degree in economics, Charles Hamel went to work as an economist for a federal fisheries management agency in Anchorage. He then received a faculty appointment at the University of Alaska, where he returned to teach classes and continue his research in fishery policy. In his down time, he worked as a wilderness guide and boat captain.

“This was when I was first exposed to rock climbing,” he said. “I loved it from the minute I started. Climbing provided both a challenge and a great community of people who have become my good friends.”

A few years later, Hamel traded in his life in Alaska to move to the Virgin Islands.

“I needed a change,” he said. “New things and new places motivate me, so I sold everything I owned and I moved to the Caribbean.”

While living in the Virgin Islands, Hamel captained charter yachts and dive boats. He also took up triathlon and open water swimming, but always found time to rock climb.

“One of my favorite places to climb was The Baths on the island of Virgin Gorda,” he said.

“Whenever I would take guests sailing through that part of the British Virgin Islands, I would make sure that we stopped there so I could spend some time ‘bouldering’ – a style of climbing practiced on large boulders. I loved it there.”

After six years in the Virgin Islands, however, Hamel decided it was time for another change.

“I woke up in St. Croix and one year had turned into six,” he said. “I felt a little restless and I wanted to get back on track.”

A bet with a close friend determined the direction his life would take.

“We bet whether or not I would attend law school,” he said. “I had previously taken the LSAT, so I decided I would do it, and my search for the right school began.”

Hamel decided on Cooley Law School because the scholarship was irresistible.

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Charles Hamel (left) and climbing partner Allen Zeitlin

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Charles Hamel (foreground) and climbing partner Allen Zeitlin,

“I was so grateful because I didn’t have much money at the time and Cooley scholarships were able to cover the majority of my tuition,” he said. ”So I packed my bags and headed north.”

Moving from the Virgin Islands to return to school in Michigan was an adjustment for Hamel.

“I lived in Alaska, so I was fine with the cold weather,” he said. “But I had gotten rid of all my professional clothes moving to the Caribbean. I only had one tie, and suddenly I had to wear shoes again!”

Despite obstacles, Hamel has excelled at Cooley.

Now in his final semester, he feels that rock climbing played a role in his success.

CLIMBING FOR A CAUSE

“Rock climbing is my passion, so it was an outlet for me when school got challenging,” he said. “I taught climbing classes at the YMCA and spent a lot of time in Grand Ledge, Mich. Climbing was something that helped me unwind.”

Hamel is now using this passion to raise money and awareness for individuals affected by PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“My climbing partner, Allen Zeitlin, is a medical student and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said. “He has several friends who are struggling with PTSD and he wanted to find a way to help them. So we created www.climbing4PTSD.org.”

Charles Hamel

In December 2011, Hamel and Zeitlin completed their hardest climb to date at the limestone cliffs of El Potrero Chico, which lies in Mexico's eastern Sierra Madre in the state of Nuevo Leon. Time Wave Zero, the climber’s chosen route, is 2,300 feet – making it the second longest sport route in North America.

“We decided to climb Time Wave Zero because it was the most challenging route that we felt we had a reasonable chance of summiting,” he said.

“And I think that it represented the struggles that individuals with PTSD face.”

Today, www.climbing4PTSD.org has raised more than $5,000 for the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.

“I feel that Allen and I have achieved something truly great,” he said. “My hope is that we can continue to raise money and awareness for the disorder.”

But for now, Hamel’s next adventure is graduating from Cooley Law School in September 2012.

When he gets his degree, he hopes to work as an immigration attorney. The real question, however, is where he will practice.

“I want to go where there is water and good climbing,” he said. “Maybe I will end up back in the Caribbean. But you never know. I am lucky that way. Things always work out the way they should.”

The charity employs the pair’s love of climbing to raise money, which will then benefit the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and fund a grant for PTSD research.

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feature E. Christopher Johnson, Jr., Associate Professor and Graduate Program Corporate Law and Finance Director

MAN ON

A MISSION Cooley Professor Shines Light on a Global Atrocity

Cooley Professor E. Christopher Johnson, Jr. Advocates for the Elimination of Human Trafficking During his multi-year legal career with General Motors Corporation, Cooley Professor E. Christopher Johnson, Jr. traveled the globe, interfacing with some of the world’s most progressive companies and sophisticated organizations.

Yet a mission trip to India last fall with his Novi, Michigan church stopped Johnson dead in his tracks. While touring the impoverished streets of Mumbai, Johnson’s group came upon an atrocity he cannot get out of his head – human trafficking. After further investigation, Johnson learned this crime against the innocent isn’t isolated to one remote area of the world.

Rather, human trafficking is a massive, organized crime involving millions of people in sexual and labor exploitation.

Prevention of human trafficking has become a new mission for the four-year Cooley professor. But taking on tough causes isn’t new to Johnson. Johnson has made it his life’s work to take on issues ranging from diversity to breast cancer awareness.

“I did not have a concept of how detestable a crime against humanity it really is,” said Johnson. “I am proud that Cooley, along with the International Law Society, the American Constitution Society and Cooley’s graduate program in Corporate Law and Finance, hosted this conference to make our students, faculty and members of the public more aware of this issue and engage them in working on solutions.

But Johnson is not resting. He is gearing up for a much larger event in the fall, looking to engage a broader base of supporters. “Awareness of human trafficking is the first step in eliminating it,” he said.

As chair of Cooley’s Corporate Law and Finance LL.M. program, Johnson is hoping to bring human trafficking awareness into the classroom so that law students can understand the risk of labor exploitation issues in the supply chain.

“Plain and simple, lawyers are ministers of justice, and I feel an obligation to take a stand on this issue and not sit back,” he said.

Johnson recently led a campus-wide simulcast discussion on human trafficking with Cooley students, state experts and specialists that he hopes will educate law students, community members and the public in this horrific crime.

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COOLEY ANNOUNCES

TAMPA, BAY FACULTY

Cooley Associate Dean Jeff Martlew has announced the school’s initial Tampa Bay campus faculty, who will be in place when classes start this spring. Joining Cooley’s Tampa Bay staff is prominent Florida attorney Carolyn House Stewart, and three current Cooley professors from the school’s Michigan campuses; John Scott, Brendan Beery and Ronald Sutton.

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feature Jeff Martlew, Associate Dean / Carolyn House Stewart, Professor

JEFF MARTLEW

CAROLYN HOUSE STEWART

ASSOCIATE DEAN, TAMPA BAY CAMPUS

PROFESSOR, TAMPA BAY CAMPUS COURSE: CONTRACT LAW

EXPERIENCE: > Cooley Law School Board of Directors > Chief Judge, Clinton County Circuit Court > Executive Board, Michigan Judges Association > Faculty, Michigan Judicial Institute Professor Jeffrey L. Martlew, has been designated as the Associate Dean for the Tampa Bay campus.

Martlew joined the full-time faculty at Cooley Law School after 14 years on the bench at the 29th Circuit Court in Michigan. Professor Martlew was first elected to the circuit court in 1993. He was named Chief Judge in 1994 and served in that capacity until he retired in May 2007. Previously he served as judge for the 65th District Court in Clinton County, Mich., 1985-1992.

Professor Martlew served as an adjunct professor at Cooley 2005-2007, then as a visiting professor until his appointment to the full-time faculty.

EXPERIENCE: > Partner Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen > Florida Board of Bar Examiners > Licensed to Practice Before the U.S. Supreme Court Stewart will teach Contract Law to Cooley’s incoming class at Tampa Bay. She is a shareholder in Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen, one of Florida’s oldest law firms.

She has been with the firm since 1994, handling cases in the firm’s civil litigation, casualty and labor law sections.

Stewart received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1978. She has practiced before the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th and 11th Circuits.

Stewart is also licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and recently completed a five-year term on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

“I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the legal profession through this new role in the education and training of practice-ready lawyers. I have been involved in continuing legal education as a workshop leader and lecturer on a variety of topics over the course of my legal career.” CAROLYN HOUSE STEWART

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feature John N. Scott, Professor / Brendan Beery, Professor / Ronald Sutton, Professor

JOHN N. SCOTT

BRENDAN BEERY

PROFESSOR, TAMPA BAY CAMPUS COURSE: PROPERTY LAW

PROFESSOR, TAMPA BAY CAMPUS COURSE: CONSTITUTIONAL & CRIMINAL LAW

EXPERIENCE: > Specialized in Family Law, Criminal Law, Property & Bankruptcy Litigation > Administered Cooley’s Trial Workshop Program > Coached Cooley Teams in National Competitions

EXPERIENCE: > Partner, Mahjoory, Mahjoory & Beery P.L.C. > Associate, Thrun, Maatsch & Nordberg, P.C. > Research Attorney Michigan Court of Appeals

Professor John Scott will teach Property Law at Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus. Scott joined Cooley’s faculty in 1978.

Before that, Scott specialized in family law, criminal law, property and bankruptcy litigation. Scott received his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan. He administered Cooley's Trial Workshop program for 10 years and coached Cooley teams in ABA, ATLA, and NACDL National Trial Competitions for law students. Scott is the national co-chair (with Cooley Professor Gerald MacDonald) of the NACDL Criminal Trial Competition. They co-author the case-file problems used in that competition every year.

Professor Brendan Beery will teach Constitutional and Criminal Law. Beery joined Cooley’s full-time faculty in 2003. He received his Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School in 1998. Thereafter, he served as a research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals and then went into private practice, first as an associate with the law firm of Thrun, Maatsch & Nordberg, P.C., and then as a partner in the firm of Mahjoory, Mahjoory & Beery P.L.C. Professor Beery served as an adjunct professor at Cooley before joining the full-time faculty.

“We are excited to have top-notch legal professionals join Cooley at our Tampa Bay campus, as we educate the next generation of practice-ready attorneys.” JEFF MARTLEW, ASSOCIATE DEAN, TAMPA BAY CAMPUS

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COOLEY’S TAMPA BAY CAMPUS

RONALD SUTTON PROFESSOR, TAMPA BAY CAMPUS COURSE: TORTS EXPERIENCE: > Deputy Circuit/Probate Court Administrator-Attorney Referee for the 56th Judicial Circuit Court > President of Sutton Sports Management Co. > Attorney-Shareholder with Fraser, Trebilcock, Davis & Dunlap, P.C. Professor Ronald Sutton has been teaching at Cooley for more than 20 years. Sutton received his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. Before joining Cooley’s full-time faculty in 2011, Sutton served as the Deputy Circuit/Probate Court Administrator-Attorney Referee for the 56th Judicial Circuit Court in Eaton County, Mich. He was president of Sutton Sports Management Co. from 19982010, where he was involved with worldwide representation of professional basketball players, coaches and broadcasters.

Before that, he was a shareholder with the law firm of Fraser, Trebilcock, Davis & Dunlap, P.C. Sutton will be teaching Torts.

The Tampa Bay campus will begin offering evening classes in May 2012, followed by morning classes in September 2012, and afternoon classes in January 2013.

Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus is located at 9445 Camden Field Parkway, Riverview, Fla. Construction began in Sept. 2011 to upgrade the existing building on that site into a new, state-of-the-art law school.

The Tampa Bay campus will begin offering evening classes on May 7, followed by morning classes in September, then afternoon classes in January 2013.

Cooley’s full curriculum will be rolled out over a three-year period.

Over three phases, with the final phase finishing in late 2012, the Tampa Bay facility renovation will look to be certified by the Society of Environmentally Responsible Facilities (SERF). Cooley has several buildings in Michigan certified and is seeking certification for all buildings by SERF. All classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art electronic educational tools, and the entire building will be wireless.

• 24 classrooms with 1,374 seats • Four distance educations classrooms with 204 seats, a computer laboratory with 28 seats • A trial courtroom with 90 seats • Appellate courtroom with 96 seats Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy the law school’s library, which will be approximately 25,600 square feet in area and have about 15,000 lineal feet of compact or movable shelving. The library will also include offices, work areas, reference and circulation areas, study rooms, study carrels and study tables.

Cooley Tampa Bay will have its own law clinic as well as a variety of meeting rooms and offices to serve students, faculty, and staff.

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September 15-16, 2012

Sohns Kids’ Races Saturday, Sept. 15, 11:00 a.m.

Impression 5 Half Marathon Sunday, Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m.

Cooley 5k Race for Education Sunday, Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m. ccriverrun.com 16

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feature The 13th Annual Cooley 5K Race for Education

Capital City River Run Weekend of Races Cooley 5K Race For Education The Impression 5 Half Marathon and the Cooley 5K Race for Education join forces again in the Capital City River Run Weekend of Races; one of mid-Michigan’s premiere running events.

The Impression 5 Half Marathon offers a mostly flat and fast course, featuring paved trails, parks, scenic treks along rivers, as well as a portion of the beautiful Michigan State University campus. The Cooley 5K Race for Education starts at Cooley Law School Stadium in downtown Lansing and runs by the State Capitol and other historic downtown attractions. Both races end in Adado Riverfront Park for a fun and festive finish, including the rhythm and blues music of the Uptown Band, a fantastic food spread, and a beer tent – in celebration of each participant's accomplishment!

The Cooley 5K raises money for schools and the Impression 5 Half Marathon raises money for Impression 5 Science Center. Both races support education.

WIN MONEY FOR YOUR SCHOOL – TWO WAYS. FIRST, any person who turns in a paid race entry form for the 5K or Half is eligible to win race proceeds for his or her school by nominating their favorite school on the form. Five winners are drawn, with one designated school winning 50 percent of proceeds, another receiving 25 percent, two receiving 10 percent each, and one, 5 percent.

SECOND, schools have an opportunity to win money through the School Competition. Cooley Law School distributes school competition awards of $1,000 for 1st place (the school with the most nominations), $750 for 2nd place, and $500 for 3rd place.

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school news

Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra speaks at Cooley’s Auburn Hills campus Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra was the keynote speaker at the State Bar of Michigan’s Professionalism in Action Orientation Program held at Cooley Law School’s Auburn Hills campus on January 5, 2012. Justice Zahra spoke to incoming Cooley law students about the importance of ethics and professionalism in their legal careers and lives.

During the program, Judge Colleen O’Brien, Judge of the Oakland County Circuit Court, was presented with Cooley’s Frederick J. Griffith III Adjunct Faculty Award. Caterina Amaro, a Cooley graduate, was presented with the school’s Pro Bono Recognition Award. Amaro has donated countless hours of her time to Cooley’s Immigration Outreach Pro Bono Project.

Attendees included: Auburn Hills Associate Dean John Nussbaumer, Professor Tammy Asher, Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Patrick Muscat, Judge Colleen O’Brien, former Judge Brian Levy, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian Zahra, Assistant Dean Lisa Halushka, Assistant U.S. Attorney John O’Brien, Attorney Henry Baskin, Attorney Caterina Amaro, Professor Toree Randall, Professor Heather Dunbar, former Senator Mike Bishop, Judge Gershwin Drain, Attorney Steven Drakos, Attorney and Cooley Board Member James Vlasic, and Michigan State Bar Secretary Thomas Rombach.

The health of health care to be debated on April 11 Event offers diverging views on resource allocation Reforming our nation’s health care system will have a profound impact on individuals for years to come. And there’s no shortage of opinions about how health care resources should be allocated.

Presented by Cooley Law School, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, “Health Care: What We Want, What We Need, and What We Can Afford,” is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at 7 p.m. at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich. The forum, which is free and open to the public, features Ron Pollack, of Families USA; and Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D., of The Heritage Foundation; and Mary Agnes Carey, of Kaiser Health News, who will moderate. Seating is limited; call (616) 254-0384 or email ford_events@nara.gov to reserve your seat today.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan

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school news

Cooley celebrates Equal Access to Justice Day

Finnegan as well as Attorney Solon Phillips. The panel discussion was moderated by Cooley student Shakiva Wade. Millie Humphries, also a Cooley student, served as the master of ceremony.

Lansing: Dr. Michelle Alexander, civil rights attorney, Ohio State law professor and author of the book, The New Jim Crow, spoke at Cooley Law School's Lansing campus.

Alexander's appearance coincided with the school's annual Martin Luther King Jr./Equal Access to Justice Day celebration and was sponsored by the Black Law Students Association and the Northwest Initiative/A.R.R.O.

Grand Rapids: The Black Law Students Association at Cooley Law School's Grand Rapids campus hosted its presentation, "Where Are All The Black Men?" The program focused on the numbers of incarcerated black men and their transformation when they are released from prison or jail.

Program panelists included Grand Rapids attorney Patrick Miles, 61st District Court Judge Benjamin Logan, social worker Stacy McGinnis, and Joe Jones from the Grand Rapids Urban League. The program was moderated by Cooley students Kara Beaufort and Phil Harte.

While speaking at Cooley, Alexander shared how the consequences of a criminal conviction lead to barriers when individuals seek employment and how these barriers adversely affect communities, families, and taxpayers. In addition to celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Dr. Alexander joined the Legislative Black Caucus at the Capitol earlier in the day to kick off the “Ban the Box” campaign. The Fair Chance Coalition is also working on the campaign to pass legislation that would remove the box from job applications that asks, “Have you been convicted of a felony?” Visit cooley.edu to see the video presentation.

Ann Arbor: The Black Law Students Association at Cooley Law School's Ann Arbor campus hosted a presentation for Equal Access to Justice Day. The topic of this year's event was Race and Politics. The event featured a panel discussion with Cooley Professors Philip Prygoski, Daniel Ray and David

Auburn Hills: Cooley Law School's Auburn Hills Student Diversity Committee organized several Equal Access to Justice: Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities. Students, faculty members, and staff attended the United Negro College Fund Breakfast in Southfield, and volunteered at Grace Centers of Hope and the Baldwin Center in Pontiac. The activities also included a panel discussion on economic justice, featuring Dawud Walid, director, Council on American-Islamic Relations; Stephanie Jones, president of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, and Professor Ashley Lowe, director of Cooley's Family Law Assistance Project.

Dr. Michelle Alexander, Lansing campus

Cooley's Grand Rapids campus

Cooley's Ann Arbor campus

Cooley's Auburn Hills campus

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school news

Cooley Alumni, Staff and Friends Gather at Charity Wine Tasting Cooley Law School alumni, faculty, staff and guests gathered on Friday, February 10 for the school’s 6th annual wine-tasting fundraiser at the University Club of East Lansing. Proceeds benefit Cooley’s endowed Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund, which now totals more than $330,000. Scholarship winners are selected by the Cooley Alumni Association.

“We are grateful to all who came out to this lovely event in support of Cooley’s deserving students.”

James Robb, Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, and Senior Counsel

Natalie Alane (2002), Kelly Boyle, and Mary Chartier (2002)

Kelly Boyle and Bob Baldori (1987)

LEFT: George Zulakis (1979) and Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Laura Baird (1979) RIGHT: Laurie and Patrick Fuller (1985)

LEFT: Tracy Brower, Susanne Harris (1993), Gary Heisler (1996), Alicia Heisler, Steven Heisler (2001) RIGHT: Marcia Stockmeyer, Professor Norman Otto Stockmeyer, and Sharon Ellis (1980)

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school news

ICG.0212.002.BM

Benchmark

TThe Thomas M. Cooley Law School Alumni Magazine

Editor Terry Carella Co-Editor Sharon Matchette Contributing Writers SeyferthPR seyferthpr.com Design Image Creative Group imagecreativegroup.com Photography Cover © Gennara Photography gennara.com Call for Submissions The Benchmark is seeking story ideas from graduates. We are looking for stories on a variety of subjects such as graduate achievements, international law, cultural diversity, legal information helpful to practitioners, unique law practices, advice to prospective law students, and special events.

If you would like to share a story idea, please write, call, or e-mail: Communications Office Thomas M. Cooley Law School P.O. Box 13038 Lansing, MI 48901

Phone: (517) 371-5140 ext. 2916 Fax: (517) 334-5780 E-mail: communications@cooley.edu cooley.edu

Letter from Cooley STAYING IN TOUCH

In this issue, as in all other issues of Benchmark and Benchmark Column, we proudly highlight the accomplishments of alumni, faculty, staff, and students. We also feature important events held across our campuses. It is always heartening to receive so many positive comments from you upon reading these publications.

But these publications are just one way in which we stay in touch with you and vice versa. I want you to know of some other good ways.

COOLEY’S NEW BLOG: At the beginning of the year, we launched our new blog, cooleylawschoolblog.com.

We have posted some great pieces about Cooley, our students, and alumni. You will enjoy Michael Sobel’s (Wiest Class, 1979) memorable account of early Cooley days. You will be fascinated by the postings from Cooley student Michelle Zurcher reporting on her wonderful foreign study trip to Australia. You will love the story from Ann Arbor campus students Tara Lay and Andrew MacLeod who met as first-termers, fell in love, got married, and are now proud parents of Baby Sam. Finally, I invite you to send your own story to us for consideration. E-mail us at blogpost@cooley.edu.

Cooley professor honored by Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters

Professor E. Christopher Johnson, Jr. recognized as one of the nation’s most influential black attorneys

The Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters (the Academy) has awarded the Cohn Prize in Law and Public Policy Scholarship to Cooley Law Professor Norman Otto Stockmeyer. He was honored for his paper "The Tortuous History of the Mutual-Mistake Doctrine in Michigan Contract Law," which was presented at the academy's 2011 annual conference.

Professor and Director of Cooley’s graduate degree program in Corporate Law and Finance, E. Christopher Johnson, Jr. has been selected as one of the nation’s most influential black attorneys working in government or academics by On Being A Black Lawyer Media Company (OBABL). Johnson’s selection will place him on OBABL’s inaugural Power 100 Special Edition list.

Professor Stockmeyer's paper has been published in the academy's academic journal, Michigan Academician, and can be accessed at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1789778.

COOLEY’S LINKEDIN GROUP: Nearly 2,200 Cooley alumni and students have joined our new LinkedIn Group. In our group, we exchange case referrals, practice tips, and job leads. If you are not already on LinkedIn, go to LinkedIn.com and create your own account, then access the Cooley Law School Community under the Groups tab. Being a member of Cooley’s LinkedIn Community is a great way to share professional references and tips.

The Michigan Academy of Science, Arts & Letters is a regional, multidisciplinary academic society. The academy awards the Cohn Prize for the paper presented at the annual conference that best contributes to the existing scholarly literature on the topic of law or public policy.

COOLEY'S ALUMNI EVENTS: We have nearly 20 events planned across the nation over the next few months. See the events listings and make an RSVP easily by clicking on our alumni webpage at cooley.edu/alumni/events.html.

The Cohn Prize recognizes Judge Avern L. Cohn for his patronage of the academy and legal scholarship.

C COOLEY ALUMNI DIRECTORY: We have commissioned Publishing Concepts, Inc. to produce our first printed alumni directory in many years. When you are contacted by PCI on our behalf, we hope that you will update your contact information, the better for us all to reach one another.

We love hearing your Cooley stories, we value your comments, and we enjoy the chance to see you in person. So please stay in touch!

PProfessor Johnson is a national leader in efforts to increase access to law school and expand diversity in the legal profession. He is vice chair of the Council for Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Educational Pipeline (formerly the Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity) and a member of the American Bar Association (ABA) Council for Legal Education Opportunity. He is a member of the ABA Section of Legal Education Standards Review Committee and a past chair of the ABA Africa Law Council.

OBABL produces e-newsletters, events and social media platforms to engage black legal professionals in an effort to help advance diversity in the legal profession. OBABL has been recognized by the American Bar Association, National Black Law Students Association, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

Sincerely, Postmark: Benchmark is published twice a year by the administrative offices of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, P.O. Box 13038, Lansing, MI 48901

ALUMNI DATABASE

James D. Robb Associate Dean of Development and Alumni Relations robbj@cooley.edu

The user name will always remain the word alumni. The password changes are disclosed in Benchmark on the inside front cover.

Please call the Alumni Relations Office at 517-371-5140, 517-371-5140, ext. ext. 2038, 2038, or or e-mail e-mail aalumni@cooley.edu if you have any problems.

The current password for this term is knowledge.

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Benchmark THE THOMAS M. COOLEY

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Lansing, MI Permit No. 241

LAW SCHOOL MAGAZINE

SPRING 2012

300 South Capitol Ave. P.O. Box 13038 Lansing, MI 48901 Change Service Requested

Early Entry Capital City River Run Weekend of Races September 15-16, 2012 Sohns Kids’ Races Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 Impression 5 Half Marathon Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012 5k Race for Education Cooley 5K Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012

A More Diverse Legal Profession Judge Hugh Clarke, (Wiest Class, 1979) says that since he graduated, he has seen a significant change in the diversity of attorneys who are practicing law.

Inside

Cooley Student and Adventure Seeker – Charles Hamel A Man on a Mission – Professor E. Christopher Johnson Cooley Announces Tampa Bay Campus Faculty

ccriverrun.com

13th Annual Cooley 5K Race for Education