John loves working with people and decided to establish a new student organization called the Student Bar Association Social Committee. He also was very involved in the International Law Society and the Hispanic Center pro-bono service. His involvement with the law school and with student organizations introduced him to others who helped him define his legal aspirations. At the same time, he built a network that helped him achieve his career goals.

Although he didn’t feel at the beginning of law school that criminal law was the one area in which he would practice, he soon discovered that it was an area that he truly enjoyed and was passionate
about. After serving as a research and teaching assistant for one of his professors, John was convinced that he was meant to be in the courtroom. He explored this more, including an externship for the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office.

After passing the bar, John began a solo law practice, and within a short time, he was able to buy out a retiring attorney’s partnership.

John Stephan

John chose law as a career because he felt
that a legal career would bring new opportunities and challenges every day. He chose Cooley’s Grand Rapids campus because of the convenient location near his home on the Lake Michigan shoreline. His Honors Scholarship made Cooley affordable.

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