“A New Era of Opportunity”: ABA Gives Cooley Law School The Nod to offer Full Degree Programs - Grand Rapids News

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“A New Era of Opportunity”: ABA Gives Cooley Law School The Nod to offer Full Degree Programs at its Rochester/Oakland University and Downtown Grand Rapids Campuses.

Effort expected to help long-term economic growth

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (July 10, 2006) – The American Bar Association (ABA) has granted Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s request to establish full, three-year Juris Doctor degree programs at its downtown Grand Rapids and Rochester/Oakland University, Mich. locations. The move will allow students the opportunity to earn a law degree at any of the school’s three Michigan locations.

Pictured at the Grand Rapids press conference (L to R) are: Don LeDuc, President and Dean, Cooley Law School; Darrell Johnson, Dean of Extended University Programs, WMU; Jim Schultz, Director, WMU Graduate Center; Marion Hilligan, Associate
Dean, Cooley Law School/Grand Rapids; Paul Sorensen, President, Grand Rapids Bar Association.

Previously, Cooley was authorized to offer 15 first-year credits at the Grand Rapids and Rochester locations, which required students to complete the remainder of their studies at Cooley’s Lansing campus.

“This is a monumental day in the history of Cooley Law School,” Cooley President Don LeDuc said. “While it’s been a long process, the journey has made this day all the more meaningful.”

Cooley has awaited a decision from the ABA on the merits of its proposed programs for more than four years. It opened campuses in Grand Rapids in 2003 through a partnership with Western Michigan University and in Rochester in 2002 through an affiliation with Oakland University.

“We are delighted to continue growing together in this exciting venture,” said Dr. Darrell Johnson, Dean of Extended University Programs for Western Michigan University. “This only enhances the great relationship we share with Cooley.”

State Bar of Michigan President Thomas W. Cranmer said that Cooley’s branch campuses are “a win/win” for both Cooley and the residents of Grand Rapids and Oakland County. “One of our goals at the State Bar is to help ensure that everyone,
regardless of their economic status, has equal access to the legal system. Cooley’s clinical programs will help provide individuals who otherwise would not be able to afford legal representation access to justice.”

The approval will affect students as early as September when the new term begins.

Don LeDuc, Dean & President of Cooley Law School, announcing the ABA's acquiescence to a branch campus of the law school in Grand Rapids.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support that we’ve received from the law communities in Grand Rapids and Oakland County as well as from officials at Western Michigan University and Oakland University,” LeDuc said.

Cooley’s Lansing campus is fully accredited by the ABA and the Higher Learning Commission – North Central Association (HLC). Cooley was one of the first independent law schools in the country to voluntarily seek accreditation through the HLC.

The HLC has approved the full three-year Rochester J.D. program and the first two years of coursework within the Grand Rapids J.D. program. The HLC also is recommending approval of the third-year courses at Grand Rapids, with final approval anticipated at its August 28, 2006 committee meeting.

For more information on the ABA and HLC approvals, visit www.cooley.edu/acc.

Founded in 1972, Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the country. Cooley has three campuses across Michigan; its campus in downtown Lansing, its downtown Grand Rapids campus in West Michigan and its Rochester/Oakland University campus in southeast Michigan. In addition to the Juris Doctor program, students at Cooley can also pursue a Master of Laws degree in taxation or intellectual property. Find out more about Cooley Law School at www.cooley.edu.

This Page was last updated on: 07/10/2006