July 21, 2010

Cooley Law School Professor Selected for Inclusion in "What the Best Law Teachers Do" Study

Professor Phil Prygoski

Cooley Law School Professor Phil Prygoski has been selected for inclusion in What the Best Law Teachers Do, a law professor-focused study. 

"Cooley prides itself on the teaching ability of its faculty
and Phil has consistently been a top professor since joining the law school in 1977," said Don LeDuc, president and dean of Cooley. "We're pleased that the legal teaching community will gain access to Phil's thoughts and teaching strategies through this nationwide study of leading law professors."

The study's goals include finding the best law teachers in America; synthesizing the principles by which they teach as best practices to which colleagues in legal education can aspire, and sharing the principles and stories of these brilliant teachers. The results of the study are set to be published by the Harvard University Press.

In order to conduct the study, investigators will visit each professor's law school to interview the professor, observe
the professor in the classroom and talk with focus groups of students and alumni. "I enjoy the ever-evolving dynamics of the law and feel privileged to share my knowledge with students and members of the legal profession," said Prygoski. "Being selected for inclusion in this study is an honor."

Principal investigators for the study include Michael Schwartz of Washburn University School of Law, Sophie Sparrow of Franklin Pierce Law Center, and Gerald Hess of Gonzaga University School of Law. Schwartz will visit Cooley during the fall semester to personally observe and analyze Prygoski's teaching. The study will review the teaching practices of 25 law professors; approximately 300 professors were nominated.

The nomination of Prygoski reads, in part, "When subject areas are complex and time-consuming, it is not enough to teach the black-letter law. Most professors would likely admit that their true passion is seeing students get it to the point where they can teach it to themselves and others. Numerous students have exited Professor Prygoski's classes with this ability. He certainly instilled this passion and ability in me."

Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation. Founded in 1972, it operates J.D. programs across Michigan in Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Today, Cooley Law School has nearly 14,000 graduates across the nation and worldwide and also offers joint degree and master of laws programs. Cooley offers enrollment three times a year; in January, May and September. Additional information about Cooley can be found at cooley.edu.