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SEPTEMBER 2012 • VOLUME 4 • NUMBER 3

cooley.edu

INSIDE> LEADING IN BUSINESS CREATION / JOHN ENGLER

> OUTSTANDING PRO BONO / COOLEY GRADUATES HONORED FOR THEIR SERVICE

> Q & A WITH NEW JERSEY STATE SENATOR AND ATTORNEY / NICK SCUTARI

> MAKING A CHANGE / JESSICA GONZALEZ

AND MORE…

COLUMN

John Engler, Leading in Business CreationGrowing up on a 500-acre farm in central Michigan is fields away from leading one of the country’s most influential business organizations. But for John Engler (Wing Class, 1982), making the leap from agriculture to politics was easy. Engler, the current presidentof Business Roundtable and former Michigan governor, earned his Juris Doctor in 1982, but his long standing career in politics did not begin there.

Q&A With New Jersey State Senator Nicholas ScutariCooley sits down for a Q&A with Nicholas P. Scutari (Moore Class, 1993), attorney and New Jersey Senate JudiciaryCommittee Chairman

Professionalism Advisory Committee Cooley Law School brought together nearly 60 leaders in the legal and higher education fields for the school’s inaugural ProfessionalismAdvisory Committee meeting.

expertS gather for InaUgUraL profeSSIonaLadvISory CommIttee meetIngCooley Law School brought together nearly 60 leaders in the legal and higher education fieldsfor the school’s inaugural Professionalism Advisory Committee meeting, held on July 13 at theHenry Ford Museum’s Lovett Hall in Dearborn, Mich. The objective was to identify professionalismissues that impact the practice of law and to create a dialogue on ways to improve and promoteprofessionalism in legal education. The committee’s efforts will result in recommendations forCooley to consider in its professionalism programming for the next decade.

Edward H. Pappas, chairman of Dickinson Wright PLLC and former State Bar of Michigan president(2008-2009), serves as the chair for the advisory committee. Committee members includeheads of Michigan law firms, presidents of Michigan colleges, judges, bar association presidents, and past chairs of the ABA Committee on Professionalism and the national Consortium on Professionalism Initiatives.

“We are at a critical time in our professionalism programming, after implementing the professionalism plan we adopted in 2002 that was recognized in 2006 by the American BarAssociation as one of the best among the nation’s law schools,” said Amy Timmer, associatedean of students and professionalism at Cooley. “We are hoping this committee will help usdiscover new ways we can improve our current professionalism programming.”

Dennis Archer, former Michigan Supreme Court justice, Detroit mayor (1994-2001) and ABApresident (2003-2004), delivered the keynote address.

CooLey gradUateS and faCULty admItted to the U.S. SUpreme CoUrtEach year, Cooley Law School organizes a group admission ceremony at the U.S. SupremeCourt. On April 16, 2012, James D. Robb, Cooley’s associate dean of development andalumni relations, made the motion for the admission of 10 Cooley alumni and faculty members before the Supreme Court justices. Chief Justice John Roberts presided over the ceremony and welcomed the group to the bar upon granting the motion.

Before entering the courtroom, the Cooley group was greeted by Gen.William K. Suter,the clerk of the court, who presented a history of the court and a summary of the case tobe argued to the Court following the motion. After watching oral arguments, membersof the group went on a special tour of the U.S. Capitol arranged by Professor Garretson.Later that evening, 40 Cooley Washington, D.C.-area alumni and guests assembled at thefamous Clyde’s of Gallery Place, located in the heart of Washington’s Chinatown and therevitalized areas of Penn Quarter.

The next Cooley U.S. Supreme Court admission ceremony is scheduled for Monday, April 15, 2013. Contact alumni@cooley.edu if you would like to be admitted. Participation is limited.

CooLey and davenport UnIverSIty enter Into a dUaL-degree partnerShIpCooley Law School and Davenport University recently signed an agreement providing eligible studentsthe opportunity to obtain a dual Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. The dual degree partnership program is offered at the Lansing campuses of each institution.

Students interested in the JD/MBA program must meet the established admission criteria at eachschool. Cooley students may begin taking classes in Davenport’s MBA program after successfully completing at least one year of Cooley courses. Davenport students may begin in Cooley’s JD programafter successfully completing the initial year of the MBA course work at Davenport University. A maximum of nine credit hours may be accepted for transfer from Cooley to Davenport and a maximum of six credit hours may be accepted for transfer from Davenport to Cooley.

SCHOOL NEWS

BENCHMARK COLUMN | SEPTEMBER 2012 | VOLUME 4 | NUMBER 3

ALUMNI DATABASEThe user name will always remain the word alumni. The password changes each term and will be disclosed in issues of Benchmark and Benchmark Column. Please call the Alumni Relations Office at (800) 243-ALUM (in the Lansing area, call 517-371-5140, ext. 2038), or e-mail alumni@cooley.edu if you have any problems.

As summer comes to a close and Cooley starts the fallterm, I thought this would be a good time to remindyou that Cooley Law School is celebrating its 40thyear. In 1972, a group of lawyers and judges led bythen-Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme CourtThomas E. Brennan founded the Thomas M. CooleyLaw School. They named the school for ThomasMcIntyre Cooley, Michigan’s greatest jurist and a legal

scholar whose 19th century works are still cited today. In January 1973,Cooley welcomed its first class of students.

As you will read in this issue, life-size statues of Thomas M. Cooley werededicated at the Grand Rapids, Lansing and Auburn Hills campuses. In October, we will be dedicating a fourth at the Ann Arbor campus, followed by a fifth statue at Tampa Bay’s campus in the future. Therecould be no better way to begin Cooley’s 40th year than to dedicatethese sculptures to honor our namesake and provide our faculty, staff,and students with a reminder of the school’s guiding principles. It was especially fitting that Judge Brennan came to unveil the sculpture withPresident Don LeDuc at the Lansing ceremony.

As part of Cooley’s 40th anniversary celebration, we invite you toshare your photos throughout the years and put your favorite Cooleymemories in writing by emailing me at alumni@cooley.edu.

Also in this issue, we tell the stories of two Cooley graduates who haveclimbed the ladder of political success and a more recent graduate who isdipping her toes in politics and advocacy.

I want to thank Michigan’s former three-term governor, John Engler,for taking time to allow us to share his story with all of you. Some ofyou may also know Nicholas Scutari. He is currently chairman of theNew Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee, and he graciously answeredour questions. We are very proud of Jessica Gonzalez’ accomplish-ments. Chosen to participate in the Congressional Hispanic CaucusInstitute, she also recently completed an internship at the White Houseand is now the Voter Protection Director for an advocacy groupin Nevada.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Please keep in touch with us.

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

WELCOMETO THE BENCHMARK COLUMN

�Scan here to visit the Cooley alumni webpage

Pictured (left to right) Dr. Richard J. Pappas, Davenport University president; Dr. Linda Rinker, Davenport executive vice president for academics and provost; Dr. Larry Polselli,Davenport executive vice president for enrollment and student development; Ann Wood, Cooley associate dean of planning, programs and assessment; Charles Cercone,Cooley associate dean of faculty; and Don LeDuc, Cooley president and dean.

Admitted (front row from left), Cooley Associate Professor Monica Nuckolls, Cooley Associate Professor Tammy Asher (Moore Class, 1993), Cooley Alumni AssociationVice President Helen M. Haessly (Cushing Class, 2000), Nathan A. Dodson (Boyles Class, 2005). (Back row from left) Chantelle R. Neumann, (Fisher Class, 2007), Angela S. Veda(Fisher Class, 2007), Cooley Associate Professor Michael McDaniel, Cooley Associate Professor Heather Garretson, former U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (Dethmers Class, 1981), andSamuel J. Finnessey, Jr., (Cushing Class, 2000).

CooLey LaW SChooL dedICateS bronzeSCULptUreS of JUStICe thomaS m. CooLeyThomas M. Cooley Law School held formal unveilings and dedication ceremonies forbronze castings of Thomas M. Cooley, the school’s namesake, at its Grand Rapids,Lansing and Auburn Hills campuses. The lifelike sculptures were created by Grand Rapids, Mich., sculptor and artist Matt Large.

“Cooley Law School was founded in 1972 by a group of lawyers and judges led by then-Chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court Thomas Brennan,” said Don LeDuc, Cooley Law School president and dean. “The school was named for Thomas McIntyre Cooley, Michigan’s greatest jurist, a man whose work in the mid-1800s as justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and as a legal scholar is still cited today. The dedication of this sculpture is our way of honoring our namesake and providing our faculty, staff, and students with a constant reminder of the school’s guiding principles.”

Justice Brennan attended the ceremony at the Lansing campus.

At the Grand Rapids campus, a companion statue, The Beneficiary, stands close to the Cooley statue’s outstretched hand as if Justice Cooley is extending help to an individual down on his luck.

profeSSor JoSeph KImbLe maKeS the CaSe for pLaIn LangUageIn hIS LateSt booK

Professor Joseph Kimble’s latest book documentsthe untold savings possible if government, business,and the legal profession replaced their forbidding,verbose, unclear writing with plain language. In Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please: The Case for

Plain Language in Business, Government, and Law,Kimble demonstrates the benefits of clear writing

through 50 case studies, such as the $4.4 million the Veterans BenefitsAdministration saved by revising just one letter to millions of veterans.

Kimble’s career-long advocacy for the use of plain language hasearned awards and professional recognition around the world.Kimble has been named a “Plain English Champion” by the Plain English Campaign in England, won the first Plain LanguageAssociation International Award and won a lifetime-achievementaward from the Association of American Law School’s Section on Legal Writing, Reasoning, and Research. Twice, Kimble has received the most prestigious national award in legal writing – the Burton Award for Legal Achievement.

The American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to theBar, has granted full approval to Cooley LawSchool’s Ann Arbor, Mich., campus. The Councildetermined that Cooley’s Ann Arbor campus is infull compliance with ABA standards and grantedboth provisional and full approval simultaneously.

“We are pleased that the Council saw fit to grantboth provisional approval and full approval at thesame time,” said Cooley President Don LeDuc.“The ABA’s stepped-up approval reflects theABA’s confidence in Cooley and the outstandingwork of Ann Arbor Associate Dean Joan Vestrandand her dedicated faculty and staff.”

With Ann Arbor’s approval, all four of Cooley’sMichigan campus locations – including Lansing,Auburn Hills and Grand Rapids – have achievedfull ABA approval status. Cooley Law School remains one institution now with five locations.The newest campus opened in Tampa Bay, Fla., inMay 2012 with 111 students, and operates withthe council’s acquiescence.

In recommending approval, the Council’s accreditation committee noted the diversity ofCooley’s student body (29 percent minority)and faculty (21 percent minority), Cooley’s clinical programs and externship placement sites,the wide variety of pro bono opportunities forthe Ann Arbor students, and the quality of Cooley’s teachers, staff, and facilities.

“I am so proud of the way Ann Arbor has embraced Cooley and our students and welcomed us into its courtrooms, law firms,businesses, and the community,” said AssociateDean Vestrand. “It is an honor to have the councilrecognize our efforts in providing great legal education and public service.”

The Council is recognized by the U.S. Departmentof Education as the accrediting agency for thenation’s law schools.

CooLey’S ann arbor CampUS reCeIveS fULL aba approvaL

“ We are pleased that the council saw fit to grant both provisional approval and full approvalat the same time. the aba’s approval reflects the outstanding work of ann arbor associatedean Joan vestrand and her dedicated faculty and staff.” Don LeDuc, Cooley Law School President

KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS. ETHICS. | COOLEY.EDU

Faculty BriefsTammy Asher,

Associate Professor

Attended, the 15th Biennial LegalWriting Institute Conference in PalmDesert, Calif., May 29-June 2, 2012.

Taught, a legal writing course for theCollege Prelaw Summer Institute, June 13-June 25, 2012.

Serving, as chair of the Law-Related Education Committee for the Oakland County Bar Association.

Ron Bretz, Professor

Spoke, Aug. 9, at the Crystal MountainResort in Thompsonville, Mich., to theMichigan District Judges Association onhis Criminal Caselaw Update.

Spoke, Aug. 20, at the Grand Hotelon Mackinac Island, Mich., to circuit court judges at the Michigan Judges Association annual meeting.

Mark Cooney, Professor

Spoke, on persuasive writing at the2012 Young Lawyers Summit, spon-sored by the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar, in Detroit, Mich.

Spoke, on teaching tips for new legal writing professors at the Legal Writing Institute’s 2012 Biennial Conference, in Palm Desert, Calif.

Published, an article titled “Acronymonious,” in the July issue of the Michigan Bar Journal.

Patrick Corbett, Professor

Authored, “The Future of the Fourth Amendment in a Digital Evidence Context: Where Would theSupreme Court Draw the ElectronicLine at the International Border?”

in 81 Miss. L. Journal 1263 (2012).

Spoke, on June 27, 2012, on “Statutory Overview –Electronic Communications Privacy Act, Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act,” for the Visiting International Professional Program at Michigan StateUniversity in East Lansing, Mich.

Spoke, on June 20, 2012, on “The Future of the FourthAmendment in a Digital Evidence Context: WhereWould the Supreme Court Draw the Electronic Line at the International Border?” for the 2012 Great LakesInfraGard Conference, at Western Michigan University,in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Spoke, on June 19, 2012, on “Cyberspace Minefields,”at Southwestern Michigan College, in Dowagiac, Mich.

Spoke, on May 11, 2012, on “Michigan Cybercrimesand Teens,” to the Top of Michigan Probate Judges Association, in Gaylord, Mich.

Interviewed, on April 25, 2012, on “Use of DeadlyForce by a Private Resident of Michigan,” by WILX-TV, in Lansing, Mich.

Spoke, on April 16, 2012, on “Cyberspace Minefields,”at the Oakland County Bar Association Youth Law Confer-ence, at the Management Education Center in Troy, Mich.

Participated, on April 16, 2012, on a panel about“Legal Professionals,” at the Oakland County Bar Association Youth Law Conference, at the ManagementEducation Center, in Troy, Mich.

Participated, on March 21, 2012, on a panel about“Social Media,” to the Student Advisory Board at CooleyLaw School’s Ann Arbor campus.

Moderated, on March 16, 2012, “Cyber Safety Lawsand Best Practices for Educational Leaders,” for theWashtenaw County Cyber Citizenship Coalition, at Eastern Michigan University, in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Spoke, on March 14, 2012, on “A Review of MichiganCyber Crime Laws – Cyberbullying, Sexting & OtherHigh Tech Crimes,” at the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools Public Policy Day, in Okemos, Mich.

Spoke, on March 10, 2012, at the Thomas M. CooleyJournal of Practical and Clinical Law Annual Banquet, inLansing, Mich.

Spoke, on March 8, 2012, on “Cyberbullying, Sextingand Other High-Tech Crimes Involving Michigan Teens,”for Foster Parent Training at Lutheran Social Services ofMichigan, in Lansing, Mich.

Spoke, on Feb. 28, 2012, on “Cyber Law and You,” forFederal Youth Law Day, at the Ford Presidential Library,in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Spoke, on Feb. 24, 2012, on “Introductory Overview of Issues Presented: Cyber Pornography & ObscenityProsecutions,” to the Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law, in Lansing, Mich.

Spoke, on Feb. 1, 2012, on “A Review of MichiganCyber Crime Laws – Cyberbullying, Sexting & OtherHigh-Tech Crimes,” at the Michigan State UniversitySchool of Journalism, in East Lansing, Mich.

Continued on Following Page >

WrItIng WIth pUrpoSeSeveral members of Cooley’s research and writing department had the opportunity to speak during two national conferences this spring. Professors Mark Cooney,Chris Trudeau, Bradley Charles, and Toree Randall eachpresented during the 15th Biennial Conference of the Legal Writing Institute, in Palm Desert, Calif.

Professor Trudeau and Professor Joseph Kimble spokeduring the fifth international conference of Clarity, whichwas held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.That conference was co-hosted by Scribes – The AmericanSociety of Legal Writers and the Center for Plain Language.

During the Legal Writing Institute conference, Cooneygave practical teaching tips to an audience of new writingprofessors. Professors Charles and Randall presented onteaching law students a research process that transcendsmedia. Professor Trudeau spoke about his research onthe public’s preferences for attorney communication,emphasizing the need for plain language.

CooLey profeSSor reCeIveS fULbrIghtSChoLarShIp

Cooley Professor Paul Carrier has been awarded a FulbrightScholarship to teach internationallaw at the University of Belgrade in Serbia during the2012-2013 academic year. This will be Carrier’s secondFulbright Scholarship. In 1996-1997 he was a SeniorTeaching Scholar in the Slovak Republic. He continues to

assist the Fulbright Commission in the Slovak Republic by advising onstudy projects in various areas of the law.

Before joining Cooley, Carrier worked as an associate in international corporate law with Lovells in Prague where he worked on mergers and acquisitions and international distribution agreements, among other specialties. He also was an associate in international corporate with Squire,Sanders & Dempsey, LLP, in its Bratislava, Slovakia office. His practice concentrated on mergers and acquisitions, international syndicated financingissues, anti-monopoly authority filings, company establishment, andother general corporate issues.

Carrier now teaches Property, European Union Law and Advanced PracticeSkills-International at Cooley’s Lansing campus.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Professor Paul Carrier

Professor Bradley Charles

Professor Mark Cooney

Professor Joseph Kimble

Professor Toree Randall

Professor Chris Trudeau

FEATURE ARTICLE

JoHN ENGLER, PRESIDENT oF THE BUSINESS RoUNDTABLEAND FoRMER MICHIGAN STATE GoVERNoR

Jason Eyster, Associate Professor

Elected, co-chair of the MichiganCoalition for Refugee and ImmigrantRights, an umbrella organization representing the state’s immigrantrights groups and agencies.

Mentored, students at Ypsilanti High School (Michigan)as they prepared for the regional Distributive EducationClubs of America, Inc., (DECA) Competition.

Participated, in the Michigan Special Immigrant Juvenile Roundtable at Michigan State University,an organization he founded five years ago.

Lectured, on the paths of citizenship at the 16th Dia de la Mujer Conference.

Lectured, on changing standards of asylum regulationin common law countries at Kyushu University LawSchool in Fukuoka, Japan.

Spoke, at the monthly meeting of Barrier Busters at Ypsilanti Library, to 60 area social workers about current immigration issues affecting Washtenaw County residents.

Published, “Searching for the Key in the Wrong Place:Why ‘Common Sense’ Credibility Rules ConsistentlyHarm Refugees,” 30 Boston University International

L. Journal 1 (2012).

Edited, Immigration Practice Pointers, published annuallyby the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

organized, and led an immigration information sessionat Beautiful Gate Church in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Interviewed, on immigration issues for a half-hourbroadcast on SWOCC network, cablecast in the cities ofFarmington, Farmington Hills, and Novi., Mich.

Heather Garretson,

Associate Professor

Published, a chapter in the recentlypublished book Collateral Consequences

of Criminal Conviction.

Presented, a paper regarding innovative teaching ideas that was the result of collaborative research with fellow Cooley professorsTonya Krause-Phelan, Jane Siegel, and Kara Zech Thelen.The paper, The Idea SwapMeet, details the 80 innovativeideas the group created, discussed and implemented. Thispaper was presented at the Institute for Law Teaching and Learning’s summer conference, Value of Variety/ Reflecting on Our Teaching, at Gonzaga University Schoolof Law in Spokane, Wash., in June 2012.

Accepted, for presentation, her abstract, “I Paid My Debt But Can’t Pay My Rent: The Devastating EconomicConsequences of a Criminal Conviction,” at the Univer-sity of Wisconsin Law School’s Midwest Law and Society Retreat held in September 2012.

Published, an article, “Sales Pass Activity,” outlininghow to incorporate professionalism and community service into class by using passes, in Law Teacher, Spring 2012 publication.

Joseph Kimble, Professor

Spoke, at Clarity’s Fifth InternationalConference, in Washington, D.C. Clarity is an international associationpromoting plain legal language, and Kimble is a past president. He talked

about his new book, Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please:

The Case for Plain Language in Business, Government,

and Law, and he also gave a presentation on legal drafting.

Quoted, extensively in national media (including MarketWatch) on the evidence in his new book that using plain language could save businesses and government millions — even billions — of dollars.

Spoke, at his college reunion (Amherst College) abouthis work redrafting the Federal Rules of Civil Procedureand Federal Rules of Evidence.

Interviewed, for a podcast on Health Literacy Out Loud.

Presented, a session on editing for the Thomas M.

Cooley Law Review.

Completed, work on volume 14 of The Scribes

Journal of Legal Writing. Kimble has served as the editor in chief for seven volumes, and served as the managingeditor for three volumes before that.

Tonya Krause-Phelen,

Associate Professor

Collaborated, with professorsHeather Garretson, Jane Siegel, andKara Zech Thelen during the Hilary2012 term to create and implement

new teaching ideas. The collaboration resulted in a paper,The Idea SwapMeet, detailing the 80 innovative ideas thegroup created, discussed and implemented.

Presented, The Idea SwapMeet, along with AssociateProfessor Jane Siegel and Assistant Professor Kara ZechThelen, at the Institute for Law Teaching and Learning’ssummer conference, Value of Variety/Reflecting on OurTeaching, on June 25-26, 2012 at Gonzaga UniversitySchool of Law in Spokane, Wash.

Continued on Following Page >

“Cooley has made it possible for nontraditional students to obtain a law degree. If you go back to the foundation ofCooley, there were a lot of nontraditional students who wouldn’t have achieved a legal education without the flexibility Cooleycontinues to offer. I was one of them.”

L E A D I N GBUSInESS CrEATIon

John EnglEr

Growing up on a 500-acrefarm in central Michigan isfields away from leading oneof the country’s most influen-tial business organizations. But for John Engler (WingClass, 1982), making the leap from agriculture to politics was easy.

Engler, the current president of Business Roundtable (BRT) and former Michigan governor,earned his Juris Doctor in 1982, but his long-standing career in politics didn’t begin there.

“When I began my career in the legislature, Cooley didn’t exist,” said Engler. “It wasn’t untilyears later that I decided to pursue a legal educa-tion, and I’m grateful that I did. My education fromCooley has given me an irreplaceable skill set thathas been an asset to my career as both governorand president of BRT.”

EARLy BEGINNINGS

In 1968, Engler, a sophomore at Michigan StateUniversity (MSU) studying agricultural economics,helped his father run for state representative. Little did he know, his father’s campaign would bethe spark that would ignite his passion for politics.“It was the first campaign I ever worked on,and even though it was a losing effort, I was fascinated by it,” said Engler.

Two years later, after hours spent alternating between school work and working alongside afriend to determine what it would take to win acampaign, the 22-year-old MSU senior ran for thesame legislative seat he helped his father campaignfor in 1968. But this time, Engler himself won.“The campaign plan was written with someoneelse in mind, someone a bit older and with moreexperience,” said Engler. “But it was also a plan I felt would work for me. So I tried, and with hardwork, a bit of luck, and a margin of 160 votes, I won. It was amazing.”

Engler may have begun his long-standing politicalcareer as a senior in college serving in the MichiganHouse of Representatives, but that’s not where he had imagined his future would take him. “I grew up on a farm, and a degree in agriculturaleconomics seemed like the best choice,” said Engler. “I figured that’s where my future washeading, but the opportunities my courseworkprovided me, coupled with helping my father runfor office, took me in another direction entirely.”

MoVING FoRWARD

After serving as state representative through thecourse of four terms, Engler decided to shift his focus to the Michigan State Senate. In 1979,he was elected state senator and began the firstof three four-year terms.While serving in theSenate, Engler met long-time friends DennisKoons and Carol Viventi who were getting readyto start their education at Cooley in January.Engler decided to join them. “I remember talkingwith then-President Thomas E. Brennan about

how to enroll. He told me I had to take the LawSchool Admission Test. I had no idea what thatwas at the time, but I took it, got admitted andstarted a semester after Koons and Viventi inMay,” said Engler.

The eight, 15-week, credit-loaded terms Engler endured to catch up with his pals while juggling committee meetings, strategy sessions andserving full-time in the State Senate paid off. Hegraduated in 1982, a term early, alongside Koons,Viventi, and the rest of the Wing Class. “It wasfun,” said Engler. “We had a few classes together,and we studied together. We’re still goodfriends today.”

GoVERNING MICHIGAN

Though he began his time in the Senate in the Republican minority, by 1984, the Republicans had become the majority, and Engler was electedSenate Majority Leader. He held the leadership position until 1990 when he became the first sitting legislator to be elected Michigan governor in more than 100 years.

As Michigan’s 46th governor, Engler had a hand in reforming Michigan’s education policies, including the creation of the Michigan MeritAward, a $2,500 scholarship for college or training awarded to each graduating high schoolsenior whose Michigan Educational AssessmentProgram scores registered proficient or higher in reading, writing, science, and math.

Other highlights from Engler’s three terms as governor include multiple tax reductions, helpingnearly 300,000 families achieve independencefrom welfare and reducing welfare rolls by nearly70 percent, restoring Michigan’s AAA credit rating, and lowering Michigan’s unemploymentrate from 9 percent to 3.4 percent.

“I’ve always believed that big things matter themost, like education, tax burdens and the businessclimate,” said Engler. “It is important that workingpeople see the connection between governmentand public policy.”

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

In 2004, Engler was appointed president and CEOof the National Association of Manufacturers(NAM) after a year’s service as president of theState and Local Government Sector of ElectronicData Systems.

In 2010, after six and a half years with NAM, Engler was appointed president of BRT, an association of more than 200 chief executive officers from leading U.S. companies. TheseCEOs’ companies generate more than $6 trillionin annual revenues and employ more than 14 million people, while also accounting for morethan 50 percent of the research and developmentconducted in the nation’s private sector.

The goals of BRT are simple: to educate the public and policymakers on the importance ofbusiness in the formation of public policy and tohelp expand economic opportunities in America.

“We recently published Taking Action for Amer-ica, a plan designed by our CEOs to increaseworkforce and economic growth,” said Engler.

The plan, which is divided into three main cate-gories, addresses, among other things, what theCEOs believe needs to be done to maintain andimprove American global leadership, education,trade, technology, and fiscal policy. “There’s a lot of trouble in our economy right now,” said Engler. “If you start fixing these problems, youstart fixing the U.S. economy.”

LooKING BACK

Remarking on his fulfilling career, Engler attributes a large part of his success at BRT to hiseducation at Cooley. “In one meeting we’re talkingabout tax laws and the next we’re talking abouteverything from corporate governance to tradelaws and financial regulations,” he said. “To havean understanding of what a law was intended todo and what the legal rationale is behind it is verybeneficial in my line of work.”

Looking back, that isn’t the only reason Engler appreciates Cooley. “There’s no question thatCooley has had a profound effect on democ-ratizing the law,” said Engler. “In other words,Cooley has made it possible for nontraditional students to obtain a law degree. If you go back to the foundation of Cooley, there were a lot ofnontraditional students who wouldn’t haveachieved a legal education without the flexibilityCooley continues to offer. I was one of them.”

Just as his legal training has helped him through hiscareer, so has his family.

“My father spent 20 years on the local schoolboard, and education was something he valued,”said Engler. “He always wished he could attendMSU. He even enrolled and completed a shortcourse in agriculture, but he was needed at homeand couldn’t attend full-time. Going to college washuge for me; just as it is for my girls today.”

Triplet daughters Margaret, Madeleine and Han-nah are getting ready to finish their last year ofhigh school while his wife, Michelle, spends mostof her time trying to keep up with them. “Michellehas about five jobs as far as I can tell. She’s a full-time volunteer and mother and a part-time chauf-feur. She also serves on the Jackson VariableAnnuity Board for Jackson Life Insurance. She’san amazing woman; all four of my ‘girls’ are.”

When asked how he feels about the impact his career has had, Engler answered, “I grew up on afarm raising cattle and harvesting crops. I neverimagined I’d one day run for office, let alone besuccessful in office. I’ve always tried to operate bythe philosophy of taking on responsibility whenthere’s an opportunity to do so. If you workhard and remain honest in your dealings withpeople, you’ll go far, and that has served me well.”

BENCHMARK COLUMN | SEPTEMBER 2012 | VOLUME 4 | NUMBER 3

FEATURE ARTICLE

Q. What influenced your decision to attend lawschool, and why did you choose Cooley?

A. I was always interested in law as a career in advocacy for individuals with problems andissues. Although I began my graduate schoolstudies in the field of psychology and attainedmy master’s degree in counseling psychology, I then turned my attention to the law. Becauseof Cooley’s enrollment program, I was able to begin Cooley in January of 1991 when theother schools that accepted me required meto wait until the following September. Allowingme to start earlier was one of the factors thatinfluenced my decision to attend Cooley.

Q. Following law school, you were elected to theLinden Board of Education in your hometown.Why was it important for you to get involvedwith this board, and how did it lead you to otherelected positions?

A. My election to the Linden Board of Educationwas the most important election in my career. Not only was it helpful for me to get involvedmore intimately with the community where I grewup, but it also gave me a fresh perspective on educational and finance issues as well as propertytaxes. Without the success of that election, Iwould never have been able to attain a position onthe Union County Board of Chosen Freeholdersor the New Jersey State Senate. Had that electionturned out in a different way and I had not beenelected, that may have spelled the end of myelected career. Fortunately, I won with an impres-sive vote total, and that really springboarded meto other positions.

Q. You are an advocate for quality education andhave supported a number of pieces of legislationthat would provide funding and expand programsto ensure that New Jersey citizens receive the high quality education they deserve. Why is this important for the individuals you serve, and what programs have been expanded? How have theseprograms helped New Jersey’s quality of education?

A. The quality of our K-12 and higher educationhere in New Jersey, as well as anywhere else inthe country, is of paramount importance. To noteducate individuals at an affordable cost certainlywould have a negative impact on our economy.Having a qualified and employable workforce is one of the major factors in having a robust economy.

Q. As a state senator, one of your priorities is having a fair, competent, and qualified judiciaryin New Jersey. As a member of the Senate JudiciaryCommittee, you oversaw the adoption of deepervetting and scrutiny procedures for judicial nominees and reappointments. Why has this beena priority for you, and, to date, what are some of the positive outcomes from this deeper vetting process?

A. Right from the get-go when I was first sworninto office, I was very interested in the vettingprocess for New Jersey state judges. Ensuring a

qualified and independent judiciary is one of themost important things that I can do as a senatorand, now, as the chairman of the Senate JudiciaryCommittee. We spend a lot of time screening,evaluating, and deciding who New Jersey’s judgeswill be. New Jersey, unlike other states, appointsjudges through a nomination and advice and con-sent process. All New Jersey judges are nominatedby the governor and must be confirmed by theNew Jersey Senate through the Senate JudiciaryCommittee, which I chair. After a judge’s initial,seven-year appointment, they are eligible forlifetime tenure. Because of the enormity of the responsibility and the power that these judgeshave, it is extremely important to ensure their quality, integrity, and impartiality.

Q. How has being an attorney prepared you forbeing a state senator? What made you decide torun for the Senate seat?

A. I think being an attorney, especially a trial attorney, is excellent training to be in the stateSenate, as it would be in many other endeavors.Having the ability to analyze facts and questionindividuals, especially as the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is very helpful. I decided to run for senator in 2003 because of an unforeseen opening by my predecessor. At that time, I was a Union County Freeholder,which is a county legislator, and when the opportunity arose, I decided to throw my hat inthe ring. I was successful in that run. I have beenre-elected twice since then.

Q. You have proposed many bills that protectchildren. Explain why this type of legislation isimportant to you and the residents of New Jersey.

A. Most legislation that we pass has an individualimpact on the people we serve. In the case ofSteven’s law, it requires kids to use wood bats atmost youth baseball games in New Jersey. From1991 to 2001, there were 15 kids killed fromusing composite or aluminum bats. Steven Doma-lewski from New Jersey was severely injured andleft immobile and unable to talk. These newercomposite bats create a dangerous force when the ball makes contact. The higher velocity putsplayers at risk when using these bats. It’s storieslike this that I pay close attention to; we have to be careful of those impacts and think about theconsequences and unintended consequences ofany legislation. I take the writing and passing oflaws very seriously and keep in mind the people I am elected to serve in order to try to improvethe quality of their lives.

Q. Talk about your law practice. How doesyour practice help those living in Linden, andhow did your Cooley education help you begin your practice?

A. I am certified as a civil trial attorney by theSupreme Court of New Jersey, which indicates acertain level of experience and competence in thearea of civil litigation. My practice focuses primarilyon plaintiffs’ personal injuries, representing injured

people who have been hurt in motor vehicle accidents, falling down, or workplace incidents.We try to help individuals who have been injuredreceive medical treatment and compensation fortheir injuries.

In addition, I am also the chief prosecutor in thecity of Linden, where I grew up and continue tolive. I hope that service helps the city of Linden. I credit my Cooley education for giving me a well-rounded exposure to a number of differentareas of law. With that said, the Cooley educationis not an easy one, and it certainly prepares youfor the rough-and-tumble of the practice of law.

When you get out of Cooley, you are battle-testedand ready to practice law. There is a level of competence that you get after graduating from a school like Cooley. It is a rigorous academic atmosphere. When I graduated, I was ready totake the bar exam and I passed the New Jerseyand New York Bar exams on the first try.

Q. Tell us how you are involved in the communityand how community involvement has helped youin your legal profession and as a state senator.

A. I grew up as a Boy Scout and achieved EagleScout status. I stayed involved with scouting formany years; it was very important to me. I grewup in the city of Linden. Recently I was namedMan of the Year by the Linden Kiwanis Club.After I graduated from law school, I came backto my community and served on some boardsprior to being elected to the Linden Board of Education.

Q. Describe yourself in a few short words.

A. I’d like to think that people think of me as agood person, a good guy who enjoys his careerbut also enjoys life. I think it is most important toenjoy what you do. I feel like one of the luckiestpeople in the world to choose a career that Itruly do love.

Q.What do you do for fun and recreation?

A. I enjoy boating on the Jersey shore andspending time with my family. I also enjoy an occasional game of golf.

Q.What is your fondest Cooley memory?

A.My fondest Cooley memory was winning the John D. Voelker award as the Law Review’soutstanding associate because it was recognitionfrom my peers on the Law Review. That meant agreat deal to me. I recently had the chance to goback and visit Cooley and was able to see thebronze plaque outside the law review with myname on it all these years later.

Q. Do you have any advice for new Cooley graduates?

A.Work hard, do the best you can, and whenyou graduate, feel free to reach out to otherCooley graduates; they know about the difficult,yet rewarding experience that Cooley LawSchool provided.

KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS. ETHICS. | COOLEY.EDU

Tonya Krause-Phelen, Associate Professor

(Continued)

Attended, the Institute for Law Teaching and Learning’ssummer conference, Value of Variety/Reflecting on Our Teaching on June 25-26, 2012, at Gonzaga Univer-sity School of Law in Spokane, Wash.

Created, along with Professor Victoria Vuletich, a newtwo-credit elective, Ethics in Criminal Law. ProfessorsKrause-Phelan and Vuletich will begin teaching the newcourse in January 2012.

Hosted, Summer Skills Camp-Season Two, an informal,voluntary and not-for-credit session designed to intro-duce students to the Mock Trial Board (MTB) at theGrand Rapids campus and to provide students with the opportunity to learn some of the basic trial skills necessary to be competent and effective trial advocates.

Hosted, auditions for the national trial team, which willparticipate and compete in the National Trial AdvocacyCompetition hosted by Michigan State University Collegeof Law on October 25-28, 2012.

Donna McKneelen,

Assistant Professor

Testified, in May 2012, before theState of Michigan Senate JudiciaryCommittee on the need for wrongfulconviction compensation and in

support of Senate Bill 61.

Attended, in June 2012, the Innocence Project PolicyConference in New Orleans.

Spoke, in June 2012, to the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, in Harbor Springs, Mich.

Attended, in July 2012, the State of Michigan SenateJudiciary Committee on the need for compensation forwrongfully convicted individuals and in support of Senate Bill 61.

Nelson Miller,

Associate Dean and Professor

Published, the book chapter “Partiesand Pre-suit Investigation,” in Michigan

Civil Procedure, Second Edition (ICLE2012), Kathleen A. Lang, Robert P.

Young, Jr., and Jane M. Beckering, editors.

Published, the book review, “Why the Law Is So Per-verse,” in 15/1 J. Markets & Morality 251 (Spring 2012).

Moderated, the panel, Nonprofit Legal Issues, atthe Seeds to Success Conference at Grand ValleyState University.

Published, The Practice of Tort Law (Vandeplas Publishing Co. 3rd ed. 2010), co-authored with Paul T.Sorensen, Karen L. Chadwick, and Monica R. Nuckolls.

Published, The Law, Principles, and Practice of Legal

Ethics (Vandeplas Publishing Co. 2nd ed. 2012), co-authored with Victoria Vuletich.

Monica Navarro,

Associate Professor

Sponsored, the creation of theThomas M. Cooley Law SchoolHealth Law Student Organization at the Auburn Hills campus.

Hosted, the Health Law Section (HLS) of the MichiganBar in the inaugural Auburn Hills event on the practice ofhealthcare law.

Appointed, by the ABA’s Health Law Section, as vice-chair of its Publications Committee, where she willbe the national liaison on fraud and abuse.

Presented, at the ABA’s Ninth National Institute onthe Civil False Claims Act and Qui Tam Enforcement inWashington, D.C., where she shared a panel with StateAttorneys General around the country to discuss stateenforcement.

Appointed, a member of the Planning Committee forthe Annual Taxpayer’s Against Fraud Conference thattakes place in Washington, D.C., in September 2012.

Hosted, a lunch for the Council on Legal Education Opportunity Auburn Hills class on behalf of the State Bar of Michigan Health Law Section.

Appointed, a member of the Hispanic Bar Associationof Michigan Candidate Elections Committee which evaluates the qualifications of candidates to public.

Taught, a class on Legal Reasoning, for the Just the Beginning Foundation Program in Detroit, which is sponsored by Cooley Auburn Hills and the Hon. Victoria Roberts.

Mentored, a high school student from the Just the Beginning Foundation Program and attended the mentoring reception hosted by Judge Roberts at theTheodore Levin Federal Courthouse in Detroit.

Don Petersen, Professor

Published, his 2012 Supplement toReiley, Security Interests in Personal

Property, 3rd Edition, (Thomson/West 2000-2012). This is the sixthyear that he has prepared the

supplement for this treatise.

Continued on Following Page >

NICK SCUTARI, NEW JERSEy STATE SENAToR AND ATToRNEy

Q&ANicholasScutariQ&A with New Jersey State Senator and Attorney

Rita Jackman & Jessica Walker, Distinguished Student Award Recipients

Change.MAKING A

JESSICA GoNZALEZ, VoTER PRoTECTIoN DIRECToR FoR oRGANIZING FoR AMERICA-NEVADA

Cooley Law School NamesAlumni Distinguished StudentAward Winners

Cooley Law School senior students Rita Jackmanand Jessica Walker were honored with Cooley’sAlumni Distinguished Student Award at theschool’s July 20 Honors Convocation in Lansing,Mich. Awarded three times a year since 1980,this award honors those graduating studentswho have displayed high standards throughouttheir law school careers.

Past Alumni Association President Sharon Ellis(North Class, 1980) presented Jackman andWalker each with a gift of a frame to use withtheir upcoming diploma. Both outstandingwomen were nominated by their classmates andselected by the Alumni Association ExecutiveCommittee on their stellar academic record andservice and student involvement while at Cooley.

Jackman and Walker were thrilled with the award.

Jackman said, "Being a recipient of such a presti-gious award reminds me of how thankful andlucky I am to soon call myself an alumni of thebest law school in the country. I could not bemore proud of myself, and the school that trulysets an example of what it means to uphold highethical standards while giving those who deserveit an opportunity to fulfill their dreams."

Walker agreed. "Being recognized by the AlumniAssociation is such an incredible honor. I valuethe education and experience that Thomas M.Cooley Law School has given me, and getting thisaward for the Washington Class is something Iwill cherish for the rest of my career.”

Pamela Heos, director of Alumni and Donor Relations, praised the students and their work.

“The Alumni Association and the Office ofAlumni Relations sincerely congratulates Rita and Jessica on their fine accomplishments. Bothwomen are most deserving, and we are pleasedto have selected two recipients this term. Weknow they will proudly display their Cooleydiplomas in these elegant frames throughouttheir legal careers,” Heos said.

Jackman, of Cape Coral, Fla., and Walker, ofGlendora, N.J., both studied at Cooley’s Lansing campus.

RITA JACKMAN AND JESSICA WALKER, CooLEy STUDENTS

FEATURE ARTICLE

To say that Cooley graduate and Texas native Jessica Gonzalez (Woodbridge Class, 2010) hasachieved a great deal in her young life would bean understatement.

“When I was younger, I pursued a career in firefighting and law enforcement,” she said.“However, after an inspirational chat with a paramedic who supervised me in EMT (Emer-gency Medical Technician) school, I decided to go back to college and complete my degree.”

After graduating from the University of Texasat Arlington with a bachelor of arts in criminaljustice, Gonzalez made a decision that wouldchange the course of her career.

“Following my graduation, I had every intention toreturn to law enforcement until I read a book thatdetailed the racial injustices that happen inside andoutside the courtroom,” she said. “It was thenthat I realized I wanted to commit my life to usingthe law as a tool to help fight against racial and social injustices that, unfortunately, still exist.”

Soon after beginning her search for the right lawschool, Gonzalez received a letter from Cooleyabout its Professional Exploration Program. Shesigned up for the week-long seminar that wasabout to lead her in a new direction.

“I gained a valuable insight into what law schoolwould be like through the Professional Explo-ration Program,” Gonzalez said. “I appreciatedthat Cooley offered such a program. I also lovedhow diverse the school was and that there weremany opportunities to take leadership positionswithin student organizations. In the end, I felt itwas the best school for me.”

Summoning her courage and adventuresomespirit, Gonzalez packed her bags and left Texasto follow her dream in Lansing, Mich.

While at Cooley, Gonzalez balanced her studieswith her work in the Office of Student Assistanceand service as the president of the Hispanic LatinoLaw Society. When it came time to apply for anexternship, she set her sights on Washington,D.C., and the Department of Justice.

In January 2010, Gonzalez began work in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Whilethere, she learned of the Congressional HispanicCaucus Institute (CHCI), which was founded in1978 by a small group of Hispanic members ofCongress with the vision of bringing the promiseof the American dream to the next generation of Latinos by developing their leadership skills.That mission got her attention.

“I am a true Texan and wanted to work in myhome state after law school,” she said. “But aftermy externship with the Department of Justice, Iknew I wasn’t done getting what I needed to getout of D.C. I decided that I had to apply for a fellowship with the CHCI.”

Following her graduation from Cooley, she returned home to Texas. Knowing the CHCIonly admits one law fellow every year, Gonzalezgot right to work on her application. It kept herbusy, but she still found the time to study for thebar exam and work at a local law firm, DomingoGarcia. Several months later, she received some exciting news.

“After months of preparation and two rounds of interviews, I was informed that I was grantedentrance into the CHCI and would be returningto D.C. to work as the 2011-2012 Law GraduateFellow,” she said. “And that same day, I found outthat I had passed the bar exam. It was certainly an exciting time for me.”

Gonzalez’ experience as a CHCI fellow proved tobe beneficial.

“The graduate program included writing a whitepaper and arranging a policy conference on Capi-tol Hill around the topic. My policy conferencewas focused on the impact that new state votinglaws would have on the Latino electorate,” shesaid. “Additionally, we had weekly programmingthat focused on professional development, publicspeaking and community service. Overall, ithelped me to realize my true leadership potentialand gave me a new sense of self-confidence.”

With this newfound confidence, Gonzalez took achance and applied for the prestigious WhiteHouse Internship Program. After being acceptedfor the winter 2012 session, she was assigned tothe Domestic Policy Council’s immigration policyteam. In that position, she worked on researchfor the Senior Policy Advisor on Immigration,wrote memos on legislative issues and met withnumerous political leaders to discuss policy andlaw. She also learned an important life lesson.

“No matter how small you may think your job ortask is, it is a part of something bigger than you,”she said. “So you have to find value in everythingyou do and do the best you can because someonewill notice and the reward from that is invaluable.”

Following the completion of her White House internship this past spring, Gonzalez moved toNevada to focus on her new role as the state’sVoter Protection Director for Organizing forAmerica-Nevada. In the future, she hopes toserve in the Texas legislature, open her own lawpractice and, possibly, start a community-basedcivil rights pro bono clinic. To achieve all of this would be quite the accomplishment, butGonzalez’ track record proves she can do just about anything she puts her mind to.

Don Petersen, Professor (Continued)

Spoke, at numerous radio stations to discuss sports-related legal topics, including an interview on the Garyand Steve morning show on WOOD-AM on July 23 todiscuss the situation at Penn State.

Marjorie Russell, Professor

Coordinated, a trial skills training‘think tank’ at the annual staff trainingretreat at the Trial Lawyers College inLaramie, Wyo., May 19-25, 2012.

Presented, a paper on the use of betrayal stories in opening statement at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws(NORML) Legal Committee Advanced Criminal DefenseSeminar in Aspen, Colo., May 30-June 2, 2012.

Served, on the training faculty for the Death PenaltyCollege at the Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming, June 8-16, 2012.

Taught, trial skills at week two of the three-week TrialCollege at the Trial Lawyers College in Laramie, Wyo.,July 21-28, 2012.

Coordinated, taught and presented on case preparation and voir dire at the 9th Annual CriminalDefense Trial College, co-sponsored by CDAM andCooley, at the Lansing campus, Aug. 17-22, 2012.

Devin Schindler, Professor

Spoke, on WOOD Radio, on Corpo-rations as Citizens, on May 25, 2012.

Spoke, on WZZM-TV, on Previewing the Patient Protectionand Affordable Care Act (PPACA)

Decision, on June 25, 2012.

Spoke, on WZZM-TV, on Immigration Reform, onJune 25, 2012.

Interviewed, by the Grand Rapids Business Journal,on the PPACA decision, on June 28, 2012.

Spoke, on WGVU-TV’s Newsmakers Program, onHealthcare Reform: Next Steps, on June 28, 2012.

Spoke, on WZZM-TV, on Commentary on the Healthcare Decision, on June 28, 2012.

Spoke, on WMMT-TV, on Commentary on the Healthcare Decision, on June 29, 2012

Spoke, on WZZM-TV, on Federal Jurisdiction over Indian Nations, on June 29, 2012.

Spoke, on WOOD-AM, on Commentary on theHealthcare Decision, on June 29, 2012.

Spoke, on WCW-TV, on Originalism and the PPACADecision, on July 2, 2012.

Amy Timmer,

Associate Dean and Professor

Named, one of 20 Women in theLaw by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Ronald Trosty, Professor

Presented, on Cooley’s FloridaService to Soldiers Legal AssistanceReferral Program at the Florida Employer Support of the Guard andReserve (ESGR) Annual Presentation

of Awards Ceremony held in Orlando, Fla., on June22, 2012.

SAVEtheDATECoLUMBUS, oH

Thursday, october 11, 2012

Networking Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

DALLAS, TX

Tuesday, october 16, 2012

Networking Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

LANSING, MI

Wednesday, october 24, 2012

Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association and

Networking Reception following, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

LoS ANGELES, CA

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Networking Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

SEATTLE, WA

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Networking Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

BoSToN, MA

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Networking Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Please RSVP for these events to

The office of Alumni Relations at

cooley.edu/regform/alumni_events.html.

BENCHMARK COLUMN | SEPTEMBER 2012 | VOLUME 4 | NUMBER 3

“No matter how small you may think your job or task is, it is a part of something biggerthan you. So you have to find value in everything you do and do the best you can becausesomeone will notice and the reward from that is invaluable.” JESSICA GONZALEZ

Charles Doolittle, John Monterusso, David Noe, Joel Hyde (1st Place Team)

KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS. ETHICS. | COOLEY.EDU

The 23rd annual Alumni Association Golf Benefitheld for the Alumni Association Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund at the Country Club of Lansing on June 18 was a sold-out success, raising $64,000 for the scholarship fund.

The endowed Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund has grown to a grand total of $400,000 since moving to the Country Club of Lansing. The event was the best ever, presenting a total of 152golfers, resulting in the event surpassing its fund-raising goal.For more event photos and details see the alumni page on theCooley website.

The scholarship is awarded based upon financial need, academicachievement, extracurricular activities, and other considerations.The generosity of the golfers and sponsors is greatly appreciated by the Alumni Association and Cooley’s students.

The golfers enjoyed a bright blue sky with a mild breeze thatwas a welcome sight after an early morning torrential rain storm.Golfers were greeted at registration with bright and welcomingsmiles of appreciation, followed by a superb luncheon served onthe patio of the Country Club of Lansing. Upon completion of a day of golfing, a light dinner reception was held in the maindining room of the club where the awards ceremony was held.

The winner of the Cooley Cup, which is the team with the overalllowest score, consisted of alumni Charles Doolittle, David Noe,John Monterusso and Joel Hyde who shot a score of 60. Thesecond place team, with a score of 61, consisted of alumni MikeBoyle, Joe Nelson, Jon Kohn, and Victor Chiodini. The thirdplace team, with a score of 62, consisted of Dave Drayton, R. J. Brennan, Jr., Rick Delany, and Bill Schoettle.

Charles Doolittle and Bev Suhrheinrich won awards for sinkingthe longest putts. Cindy Bowen and the Hon. Brent Danielsonwere closest to the pin off the tee, while the Hon. LaurieMichelson and Joe Arnold had the longest drives off the tee.

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s Alumni Association wishes to thank our golfers, sponsors, and donors who made this event sosuccessful and further invite everyone to attend the 24th AnnualAlumni Memorial Scholarship Benefit on June 17, 2013. The association also wishes to give special thanks to the RockfordCompanies of Grand Rapids for being the general event sponsortogether with many partners and friends that made this event a success.

Joe Nelson, Jon Kohn, Mike Boyle, Victor Chiodini (2nd Place Team)

Bill Schoettle, Rick Delany, R. J. Brennan, Jr., Dave Drayton (3rd Place Team)

Jessica Schlemer, Karan Bhugra, Lauren Deutch, Christopher Atallah

Scott Diennes, Bill Somerville, Hon. Brent Danielson, President Don LeDuc

Three graduates of Thomas M. Cooley law school are among six attorneys recently honored by the national Legal ServicesCorporation (LSC) board of directors for their volunteer work with LSC-funded legal aid programs. Michael Stanley, aformer business owner who attended law school after losing his sight; Elizabeth Joy Fossel, partner in the Grand Rapids,Mich. office of Varnum LLP; and the Hon. Angela Kay Sherigan, managing partner with Wojnecka & Sherigan and associate judge for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, were each recognized for their outstanding pro bono service. It is the first time in more than 15 years that LSC presented the awards to Michigan attorneys.

“Michael Stanley, Elizabeth Fossel and Angela Sherigan are wonderful examples of attorneys willing to serve the communitiesthey live in,” said James Robb, Cooley associate dean for development and alumni relations. “We are proud of what they haveaccomplished as attorneys and community leaders. They have set a great example for all current and future Cooley graduates.”

COOLEY GRADUATES HONORED FOR

LSC is the largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. The nonprofit corporation promotes equal access to justice andprovides grants for high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. LSC distributes nearly 95 percent of its total fundingto 134 independent nonprofit legal aid programs with more than 900 offices throughout the nation.

MICHAEL STANLEy began probono work with LegalServices of Eastern Michigan (LSEM) in 2011.He initially committed tovolunteering for a six-month period at LSEM’s

Flint, Mich. office for an average of 20hours a week. After seeing the greatneed at LSEM and the importance of hispro bono work, he decided to stay onand has contributed more than 1,000hours of pro bono service in the lastyear. He also took on senior citizencases and then became very involved inthe Center for Fair Housing.

ELIZABETH FoSSELwas nominated to receive thisaward by Legal Aid ofWestern Michigan. Since1994 she has handled avariety of cases throughthe organization’s pro

bono program. She has spent more than1,500 hours (valued at more than$400,000) on cases for Legal Aid ofWestern Michigan. In 2011, Fossel accepted 11 cases from Legal Aid ofWestern Michigan and has taken onmany cases requiring completion inshort notice. In addition, if there arecases that she is unable to take, Fosselwill find other attorneys willing to help.

HoN. ANGELA KAy SHERIGAN

was nominated by theMichigan Indian LegalServices. She has pro-vided pro bono assistancein the areas of child support, child custody

and child welfare cases. For the past 10 years Judge Sherigan has volunteeredher time and services to the MichiganAnishinaabek Cultural Preservation andRepatriation Alliance, an organizationseeking to protect the human remainsculturally related to the alliance of 13Michigan Native American tribes.

ASOLDOUTSUCCESS

CooLey’S aUbUrn hILLS CampUS earnS Leed

®

CertIfICatIonOn June 4, officials from Oakland County and the city of AuburnHills gathered at Cooley’s Auburn Hills campus to celebrate theschool’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for renovationsto an existing structure and an addition. The campus was designed andconstructed in collaboration with Rockford Construction and SHWGroup Architects-Engineers.

Renovations to the existing 68,227-square-foot building, previouslyowned by DaimlerChrysler Corporation, began in 2007. The buildingwas opened to students in January 2008. A 64,518-square-foot additionwas completed in 2009.

fIve CooLey gradUateS partICIpate In JUdgeadvoCate generaL’S offICer baSIC CoUrSeThe Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center recently held its 187th Officer BasicCourse (OBC) for judge advocates in Charlottesville, Va. Of the 115 officers whoparticipated in the ten-and-a-half week course, five were Cooley graduates, the most from a single law school.

The OBC is the Army’s introductory course for judge advocates. Portions of the programwere taught by Cooley graduate Major Shari Shugart (Sharpe Class, 1998).

Pictured (left to right), during the 187th Officer Basic Course Blue’s reception, are Major Shugart, associate professor in criminal law for the JudgeAdvocate General’s Legal Center and School; First Lieutenants Benjamin Strahm (Coleman Class, 2009); Ardalan Azad (Comstock Riley Class,2009); Scott Basel (McAllister Class, 2005); Jimmine Haigler (Fisher Class, 2007); and Jeffrey Mock (Boston Class, 2007).

FEATURE ARTICLE

OUTSTANDING PRO BONO WORK

ALUMNI MATTERS

BENCHMARK COLUMN | SEPTEMBER 2012 | VOLUME 4 | NUMBER 3

1976 Cooley Class

Nolan, Lawrence P., hasbeen elected to the State Barof Michigan Board of Commis-sioners for a three-year termthat expires at the close of theBar’s 2015 annual meeting. Theboard provides oversight for

the various operations of the State Bar. Nolan ispresident of Nolan, Thomsen & Villas, P.C. He is a past president of the Ingham County Bar Asso-ciation, past chairman of the Ingham County BarFoundation, and the longest-serving member of the Cooley Law School Board of Directors.

1977 Christiancy Class

Manis, Paula, K., has joinedthe firm of Loomis, Ewert,Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C.,as Of Counsel. She has practiced oil and gas law inMichigan since 1981, and alsospecializes in civil mediation

and arbitration. She was recognized in 2008-2012as a Best Lawyer in oil and gas law, and 2009-2012 as a Best Lawyer in mediation. In 2012, she received the Lawyer of the Year Award forarbitration in the Lansing, Mich., area from BestLawyers. In 2011, she received the Top LawyersAward from the American Lawyer. She is alsorecognized by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV Preeminent Lawyer.

1977Wiest Class

Basha, Steven, was elected to serve as presiding judge of Yolo (California) SuperiorCourt effective Sept. 15, 2012. He is the current assistant presiding judge and has been responsible for the day-to-day judicial oversight of the court since Jan. 1, 2012.

1980 Potter Class

Platt, David M., an attorney with Henderson,Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., in Ft. Myers, Fla.,was named to the 2012 Florida Super LawyersList. His area of practice is estate planning and probate.

1980 North Class

Krause, Andrew J., an attorney with HahnLoeser & Parks LLP in southwest Florida, wasnamed to the list of Florida Super Lawyers inestate planning and probate. He is board-certi-fied by the Florida Bar as a specialist in wills,trusts and estates, and is chair of the Floridasection of Hahn Loeser’s Trusts and EstatesGroup. He focuses his practice on familywealth transactions.

1981 Long Class

Brignall, Robert D., was named to Strath-more’s Who’s Who Worldwide Edition for his outstanding contributions and achievements in thefield of media. He is a writer for examiner.com, aninternational online news provider. He is a retiredappellate litigation attorney.

1985 Morell Class

Buscher, Daniel, is a Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Calhoun County, Mich.

1986 Mundy Class

Cunningham, Janice K., a partner at Mallory,Cunningham, Lapka, Scott & Selin, P.L.L.C., inLansing, Mich., was selected for the 2012 editionof the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers. This registry is forwomen lawyers who have received the highestpossible rating in both legal ability and ethicalstandards from their peers. The firm practices exclusively in the areas of family law and alternate dispute resolution.

1986 Sherwood Class

Zucker, Craig E., a share-holder with Erman, Teicher,Miller, Zucker & Freedman, P.C.,in Southfield, Mich., has been selected for inclusion in the18th edition of The Best Lawyers

in America 2012. His practicearea concentrates on insolvency-related matters,representation of debtors and creditors, and commercial litigation.

1987 Morse Class

Taft, Lynne, was elected to The Hurley Foundation Board of Directors. The foundation is a nonprofit organization created in 1993 to facilitate charitable fundraising for Hurley MedicalCenter. She is an attorney in Flint, Mich.

1987 Grant Class

Winokur, Kim D., has joined the Elder LawFirm of Anderson Associates, in Marquette,Mich.

1989 D. Johnson Class

Coffey, Matthew, was named Swan ValleyHigh School’s Class of 2012 DistinguishedAlumni. He is an attorney with Fordney, Coffey & Moran. He spoke at Swan Valley’scommencement on June 4, 2012.

1990Witherell Class

Schwinn, Christina Harris, earned an LL.M., her second, in employment law from John Marshall Law School on May 19, 2012. Sheearned her first LL.M. in real property land development and finance law from the Universityof Miami Graduate School of Law in 1991. She isa partner in the Pavese Law Firm, of Ft. Myers, Fla.Her primary practice areas are employment law,business transactions, community association law,and real estate law. Phone: (239) 336-6292; e-mail: christinaschwinn@paveselaw.com.

1992 Montgomery Class

Joslin, Richard, was promoted to partnerwith the firm of Collins, Einhorn, Farrell &Ulanoff, P.C. He practices in the areas of medical malpractice defense and professionalliability defense.

1994 Ostrander Class

Godwin,Angeline, has been named presidentof Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, Va. Most recently, she was a managingmember of The Nicolette Company, in Hatties-burg, Miss. Previously, she served as president ofAshland Community and Technical College, in Ashland, Ky., 1997-2000; CEO and president of theMississippi Technology Alliance and the Institute forTechnology Development, in Jackson, Miss., 2000-2002, vice president for research and developmentat the University of Southern Mississippi, 2002-2004; and dean of arts and sciences at JacksonState Community College in Jackson, Tenn.

Scott, Troy A., was named director of humanresources for the Michigan Supreme Court,Michigan Court of Appeals, and the StateCourt Administrative Office. He previouslyserved as director of human resources andgeneral counsel for Dean Transportation ofLansing, Mich.

1994 Person Class

Lydecker, Richard, a senior partner at Lydecker Diaz in Miami, Fla., was recognized bythe city of Miami Beach for his dedication to thecommunity. He is chairman of the Miami DadeDemocratic Party, a board member on theMiami Downtown Development Authority, amember of the Federal Judicial NominatingCommittee, and a board member for the year-round medical camp of Camp Boggy Creek.

1995 Bird Class

Housley, Diane, a financial advisor with Investment Professionals, Inc., was appointedVice President of Monarch Investment Services. She will work out of the firm’s offices in Marshall and Coldwater, Mich.

1995 Fead Class

Stratton, Timothy A., an attorney with GustRosenfeld, in Phoenix, Ariz., has been appointedchairman of the city of Scottsdale, Ariz., Board of Adjustment. His law practice is focused on public finance and municipal law, and represents colleges, universities, special districts,cities, towns, and other units of local governmentin all matters related to the issuance of municipalsecurities.

1995 Kuhn Class

Ford, Deirdre, has joinedthe Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan as the Violence Against WomenProject Training Attorney. Shepreviously served as the man-ager of Regulatory Compliance

at Oaklawn Hospital and, before that, was a senior assistant prosecuting attorney for 12 yearswith the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office.

1998 Sharpe Class

Gilbreath, Rob, was named Wealth ManagementAdvisor by Fifth Third Bank (Western Michigan).He is responsible for the bank’s Lansing, Mich., region, including Jackson, Flint, Saginaw, and Midland, Mich.

Goostrey, Daniel, was appointed by MichiganGov. Rick Snyder to the 12th District Court inJackson for a term ending Jan. 1, 2013. He waspreviously an attorney with Parker & Adams,P.C., since 2002.

Weinreich, Christine, has been named director of corporate and foundation relationsfor Southern College of Optometry.

2000 Jay Class

Mendham, Robert, moved his practice into ashared location with Eddie Spencer (O. SmithClass, 2003) at 406 Petoskey St., Petoskey, Mich.The attorneys specialize in criminal cases, SocialSecurity disability claims, bankruptcy, divorce, custody, and family issues. Phone: (231) 348-7672.

2000 Cushing Class

Steinman, Mathew, has been named vice president, compliance officer, at Cross River Bank in Teaneck, N.J. E-mail:msteinman@ crossriverbank.com.

2001Wilson Class

Dismuke, David, a personal injury attorneywith Burnetti, P.A., of Lakeland, Fla., has receivedboard certification in Civil Trial. Certification isthe highest level of evaluation by the Florida Barregarding the experience and competency of the attorney’s area of law.

2002 T. Johnson Class

Chartier, Mary, and her law partner Natalie Alane(Chase Class, 2002), gave apresentation on the MichiganMedical Marihuana Act at the2012 Michigan Judges Associa-tion Conference at the Grand

Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich.Alane & Chartier,P.L.C., is co-counsel on two cases at the MichiganSupreme Court involving medical marijuana.

2002 Paterson Class

Willis, Shaun Patrick, ofWillis Law, was selected as amember of the National TrialLawyers Association Top 40Under 40. Willis Law has offices in Kalamazoo, GrandRapids, and Paw Paw, Mich.

2002 Chase Class

Alane, Natalie, and her lawpartner Mary Chartier (JohnsonClass, 2002), gave a presentationon the Michigan Medical Mari-huana Act at the 2012 MichiganJudges Association Conferenceat the Grand Hotel on

Mackinac Island, Mich. Alane & Chartier, P.L.C., isco-counsel on two cases at the Michigan SupremeCourt involving medical marijuana.

2003 O. Smith Class

Spencer, Eddie, moved his practice into ashared location with Robert Mendham (Jay Class, 2000) at 406 Petoskey St., Petoskey,Mich.The attorneys specialize in criminal cases,Social Security disability claims, bankruptcy, divorce, custody, and family issues. Phone: (231) 348-7672.

2003 Toy Class

Musa, Majdel, was appointed by the ChicagoCity Council to the Chicago Commission onHuman Relations. She is a Managing Attorneywith Consumer Bankruptcy Center, P.C.

2006 Fitzgerald Class

Beckham, J. Darrell, is head of the familylaw practice group at the Schiller Law Firm, inRock Hill, S.C.

2007 Fisher Class

Bower, Ross K. II, an attorneywith Fahey, Schultz, BurzychRhodes, P.L.C., in Okemos,Mich., was recognized by theboard of directors of the Ingham County Bar Associationas one of the Top 5 Attorneys

Under 35 in Ingham County.

Brathwaite, Randy, is a principal of Brath-waite Law Firm, P.C., in New York City, NewYork. Randy, of Barbados, was the recipient ofthe 2011 Humanitarian Award presented bythe Barbados Consul General in New York,and was recently profiled in Barbados Today.

2008 C.J. Adams Class

Crandell, Patrick, hasjoined the Insurance Cover-age Practice Group of Collins,Einhorn, Farrell & Ulanoff,P.D., in Southfield, Mich., as anassociate. He focuses hispractice on the defense of

complex commercial coverage and corporatedisputes in state and federal court.

2008 Kavanagh Class

Cruz, Patricia, an attorney with the Danbury,Conn.,-based law firm Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith,was elected to the Connecticut Trial Lawyer’sBoard of Governors.

2009 Riley Class

Makulski, Steven, was promoted to principalin the Jackson, Mich., firm now named Anderson& Makulski, P.C. He is a transactional attorneywith litigation experience in real estate and business law.

2010Woodward Class

Rodrigues, Ana, has joined the firm of SteinSperling, of Rockville, Md., as an associate inthe firm’s personal injury department. She handles serious and catastrophic injury cases.

Sayegh, Christina, has joined Trott & Trott,P.C., of Farmington Hills, Mich., as an attorneyin the firm’s judicial foreclosure department.

Skory, Patrick, opened SkoryLaw Firm, P.L.L.C., 19 E. CentralAve., Ste. 6, in Pearl River, N.Y.He represents clients in generalcivil and criminal litigation whileremaining Of Counsel to TheLaw Office of Lawrence A.

Weissmann, Esq. Phone: (845) 418-6762; e-mail:skorylaw@gmail.com.

Stella, Lindsay, C., joinedthe law firm of Mirabella, Kin-caid, Frederick & Mirabella,L.L.C., in Wheaton, Ill., whereshe practices family law. Shewas appointed to Women andthe Law Committee for the

Illinois State Bar Association. She is also chair ofthe New Lawyers Committee in DuPage County.

Strickland, Gina L., has joined theYoungstown office of Harrington, Hoppe &Mitchell. She will initially concentrate her practice on real estate matters for oil and gasclients. Ms. Strickland earned her LL.M. in Corporate Law and Finance at Cooley in September 2010.

2010Witherell Class

Booth, Brandon J., hasjoined Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.L.L.C., in the firm’sRoyal Oak, Mich., office. Heconcentrates his practice in theareas of construction law andbusiness transactions.

Purifoy, Jacquise, was namedby U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke ashis Community Grants Coordi-nator. She works with federaland state business and civicleaders to identify and imple-ment small business and

economic development initiatives in southeasternMichigan. She formerly worked with Rep. Clarkeas his Chief Correspondent, responsible for orchestrating policy positions and legislative responses to constituents. Phone: (313) 962-7700; e-mail: jacquise.purifoy@mail.house.gov.

Rodenbo, Aaron, was hired by the Bay City,Mich., firm of Zimostrad, Zimostrad & Nichols.

2011 Chipman Class

Beckley, Emily (Draper), has joined theUpper Sandusky, Ohio, firm of Stansbery,Schoenberger and Schreck as an associate attorney. She practices criminal defense anddomestic relations law.

Collison, Nathan J., hasjoined the Saginaw, Mich., firmof Collison & Collison, as an associate. He represents thethird generation of his family to practice law at the firm. He recently served as law clerk

to the Hon. Richard Yuille, chief judge of the Genesee County Consolidated Courts.

Goodman, Hannah, joined the Law Officeof Steven J. Tinti, in Crystal Falls, Mich.

Hauswirth, Jonathan, joined the Houghton,Mich., law firm of Vairo, Mechline & Tomasi,P.L.L.C.

Holland, Adam A., of theGallagher Law Firm, P.L.C.,has been admitted to practicebefore the U.S. DistrictCourt, Eastern District of Michigan.

Lambert, Adam, has joined the Acker Firm,in Pickens, S.C., as an associate practicing general law.

Riffe, Beth, has joined theGrand Rapids, Mich., firm ofRodenhouse Kuipers, P.C., asan associate. She specializesin wills and trusts.

Swenson, Brian R., has joined the law firm ofBest & Sharp, P.C., in Tulsa, Okla., as an associatein the firm’s civil litigation department. He focuseson defending health care professionals and municipal and governmental liability. Phone: (918) 582-1234; e-mail:bswenson@bestsharp.com.

2011 Wilkins Class

Cummings, Brett, joined the law firm ofWillis Law, in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Velasques, Misty, joined theKingston, N.J., firm of HananM. Isaacs, P.C. She focuses herpractice on family law andemployment law.

2012 Hilligan Class

Engel, Paul T., has joinedHoward & Howard Attorneys,P.L.L.C., in the firm’s Royal Oak,Mich., office. He concentrateshis practice in intellectual prop-erty law, with a focus on patentpreparation/prosecution and

opinion work, primarily in the chemical arts.

N O T I C E S1976 Cooley Class

Stine, Arthur D., 71, of Delta Township,Mich., died May 8, 2012. He was born Jan. 14,1941, in Bellevue, Mich. He retired in 2005after 35 years with the Michigan Departmentof Civil Rights.

1977 Graves Class

Payne, Nolan Lee, of Kalamazoo, Mich., 80,died March 9, 2012. He was born Nov. 10,1931, in Plainwell, Mich. He practiced primarilyin the area of landlord/tenant law, served aspresident of the Michigan Landlord Associationas well as the organizations’ Kalamazoo AreaChapter. He retired in 2009.

1980 Bushnell Class

Withee, Douglas R., 69, of Punta Gorda, Fla.,died May 21, 2012. He was born Nov. 9, 1942,in Marshall, Mich. In Florida, he practiced as anassistant public defender for the 20th JudicialCircuit and as an assistant public defender inthe Capital Division for the 7th Judicial Circuit.Before moving to Florida, he was a court ref-eree for the Calhoun County, Mich., JuvenileDivision Probate Court before moving intoprivate practice.

1982 Goodwin Class

Marks, Marvin E., 54, of Ironwood, Mich.,died Jan. 27, 2012. He was born June 21, 1957,in Milwaukee, Wis. He operated a law practicein Ironwood that is now known as Superior Law.

1985 Morell Class

Paisley, Barbara, 51, of West Chester, Penn.,died Feb. 7, 2011. She was born Nov. 10, 1959,in York, Penn. She specialized in elder law. Previously, she worked as senior vice presidentand assistant general counsel to WachoviaBank, in Philadelphia, Penn.

1989 Douglass Class

Palumbo, Beverly H., 56, of Battle Creek,Mich., died July 12, 2012. She was born Aug. 31,1955. After law school, she was an assistantprosecutor with the Kalamazoo County Pros-ecutor’s Office, then worked for Meijer in Lossand Prevention, and for Wayne County. Beforelaw school, she was the second female uni-formed officer and then the first female roadsergeant with the Battle Creek Police Depart-ment.

2001 Blair Jr. Class

Mercer-Mattson, Angelia, 50, of Pace, Fla.,died May 18, 2012. She was born Oct. 14, 1961.She was a senior associate with Young, Bill,Fugett and Roumbos, in Pensacola, Fla. She wascertified to practice before the SupremeCourt and the U.S. 11th Court of Appeals, andwon a case before the Supreme Court (NHICv. Reid, Case No. 08-1178).

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Cooley encourages all graduates to contribute information to the Class Notes. We want to learn about yourlaw career and other accomplishments in the legal profession. E-mail: communications@cooley.edu