Cooley is proud of its more than 17,000 graduates. Since the school's founding 40 years ago, our alumni have gone on to become leaders - in every state in the nation and around the world, in the legal profession, in public service and in private commerce. We proudly feature just a few of these graduates who serve their clients, constituencies and communities with care, skill and dedication.
A commitment to providing the fair administration of justice is the primary principle which has guided John Fields in his legal career. He served for nearly 23 years as a District and Circuit Judge in Michigan. Recognizing that the fair administration of justice and the rule of law are fundamental pillars of every democratic society, Fields then served for 2 1/2 years as an International Judge handling war crimes and genocide cases in the post-conflict countries of Kosovo and Bosnia.
Col. Rodney Williams was recently saluted for over 28 years of service to our Nation in the Armed Forces. His service began in 1984. During his career he has held many positions including Assistant Staff Judge Advocate for the 177th Military Police Brigade, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate at 127th Wing, and Commander of the largest Mission Support Group in the nation. In 2010, he was chosen to serve as Director of the Michigan National Guard Human Resource Office. Still serving his Nation as a civilian, Col. Williams now works as Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for Patient Safety.
Valerie became interested in the law when during her college studies she volunteered for a “Women in Prison” program. After mentoring young children whose parents were incarcerated and working with incarcerated women disadvantaged by the legal system, she realized that a legal career was her calling. It fueled a passion in her for law and the fight for justice. Soon after graduating from Cooley Law School, she was able to open her practice. She prides herself on providing honest, dependable, and reliable service with the goal of exceeding every client's expectations.
Sara J. Smolenski, a Grand Rapids native, serves as chief judge for the 63rd District Court, and carries on a family legacy of judges. Both her father and brother were judges in Michigan. And for more than 20 years, Judge Smolenski has earned a reputation as a distinguished judge among her peers, and a strong leader in her community, having spent countless hours as a legal advocate, contributor and activist.
As Senator to the 22nd Legislative district, Senator Scutari has spearheaded several initiatives that benefit both the citizens within his district and the State. Senator Scutari has supported a number of pieces of legislation that would provide funding and expand programs to ensure that New Jersey citizens receive high quality education. He serves as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chairman of the Space Utilization Committee, and a member of the Senate Commerce Committee.
Ruby Makiyama holds a prestigious seat with the National Diet of Japan, the equivalent of serving as a U.S. Senator. Makiyama represents the Kanagawa region, the second-most populated prefecture in Japan and the equivalent of a U.S. state.
Ross Berlin has served the PGA TOUR in a variety of leadership roles with Championship Management, Title Sponsor Relations, Corporate Marketing and in his present position as Senior Vice President of Player Relations. Earlier in his career, Berlin was an associate with a sports and entertainment law firm in Los Angeles and a key executive with the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA Organizing Committee. Berlin joined the PGA TOUR in 1999 following sports marketing positions with FIFA in Switzerland and the 1997 Ryder Cup in Spain. Currently, Berlin is also the Chairman of USA Golf, the National Governing Body of men's and women's golf in the United States.
Sharon Hanlon serves clients in SW Florida who have personal injury needs. She has been active in local, state and national law organizations, including president of the SW Florida chapter of The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission; 2012 Super Lawyer; voted into Florida’s Legal Elite; an officer of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers; and is AV rated, which recognizes attorneys who represent the highest level of professional skill and integrity in the practice of law.
GCSI is a lobbying firm representing such national names as AT&T, Chrysler, and major universities. Kuhnmuench is routinely ranked as one of the top two lobbyists in Michigan. She sees her role as an advocate – one who works tirelessly for clients.
Dennis Swan always knew he would go to law school. He just didn’t foresee it would be at night while raising a family and working more than full time. Now the president and chief executive officer of Sparrow Health System in Lansing, Michigan, Swan leads an organization that is constantly changing. And that is just the way he likes it.
Judge Jane Markey has participated in more than 5,000 decisions and ruled on every type of case, from murder, to contracts, to tax law, to divorce. She is widely known throughout the state - bench, bar, and litigants alike - as smart, prepared, courteous, consistent, and impartial. Her nearly 22 years as an appellate and trial court judge have taught her how to build consensus and collegiality among judges with differing viewpoints.
As a Congressman for 18 years, Mr. Stupak developed a deep understanding of issues that directly affected his constituents, including matters related to energy, healthcare, telecommunications and international trade. Many of the bills he sponsored were signed into law, including the first bill he ever entered, introduced in his name, during his first year as Congressman.
In 2012, Judge Robbins received the Champion of Justice Award in recognition of his commitment to the rehabilitation of the chemically addicted. He has been a presiding judge for the 3rd Judicial Circuit Court Drug Treatment Court since 2006. In 2002, Robbins was the recipient of the National Operation Reach Back award for distinguished community service.
Tlaib is a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives. She represents the 12th District, which is located in southwest Detroit. Upon her swearing in, Tlaib became the first Muslim-American woman to serve in the Michigan legislature, and only the second Muslim woman in history to be elected to any state legislature in America.
Attorney Larry Nolan is President and Founder of Nolan, Thomsen & Villas, P.C. formed in 1976. Selected consistently as a Michigan Super Lawyer over the years, Nolan has attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Nolan is Chairman of Cooley’s Board of Directors and also is affiliated with and is on the board of numerous professional organizations, associations, and clubs.
Janene McIntyre was named Lansing's City Attorney in March 2013, and is looking forward to providing “common sense and creative solutions to legal matters in the city, maintaining its integrity and upholding its accountability to its residents.” She moved to her new position from private practice as a Public Finance/Corporate attorney at Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith P.C.
Nielsen is charged with ensuring that Microsoft Advertising complies with Industry standards for online advertising. He has helped launch products from Xbox to Bing. Under his leadership, Nielsen’s team launched Xbox LIVE, Xbox 360 and HALO2 – a video game that set the industry’s one-day sales record of $125 million.
Ed works with corporate decision-makers to address targeted cyber attacks, e-espionage, theft of IP and PII, global corruption in technology supply chains, criminal exfiltration of data by disgruntled insiders and organized externals, all at a global level. His former titles read like a novel: Vietnam-era military service, Cooley graduate, in-house legal counsel, career FBI Special Agent, Assistant Legal Attaché (Diplomat)-American Embassy London, and Microsoft’s Chief cyber Security Advisor in the United Kingdom. In his own words, “Cooley Law School provided a strong base from which to springboard into investigating global criminal conduct.”
Not only does the 52 year-old hold both J.D. and M.D. degrees, but the physician turned-lawyer is the co-founder of Martinez & Odom Law Group, one of Florida’s most successful personal injury law firms. With 24 employees in three locations across the Sunshine State, Martinez has created a thriving practice.
Dr. Askin uses law to protect and empower people around the world through litigation, advocacy, research, training, reporting, and technical assistance. She has served as a legal advisor to international courts and tribunals across the globe. She also works on efforts to prosecute international crimes in domestic courts.
Grumbine unveiled what Whirlpool calls the National Product Council, a group of three law firms that would handle most legal disputes for Whirlpool in North America and with its suppliers. Whirlpool’s internal dispute resolution team consists of 30 employees. The group oversees approximately 700 lawsuits and 12,000 claims each year for the Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of approximately $18.4 billion.
Eric Breisach, CIPP/US, has represented cable television clients and trade associations in administrative hearings, regulatory rulemakings and other proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission, state public service commissions, the Small Business Administration, and other regulatory bodies. He counsels clients on privacy and data security as well as establishes related policies and procedures.
40 Years of Excellence
Former International Judge
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Program Manager
Attorney
District Court Chief Judge
New Jersey State Senator
Elected Member of the National Diet of Japan
PGA TOUR Senior Vice President
Florida Super Lawyer
Lobbyist and Advocate
Health System CEO
Court of Appeals Judge
Former U.S. Congressman
District Court Judge
State Representative
Michigan Super Lawyer
City Attorney
Microsoft Industry Outreach Director
Forensic Technology Senior Director
Physician, Attorney
Human Rights Senior Legal Officer
Whirlpool Senior Counsel
Information Privacy Professional
