January 11, 2011

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and Brigadier General Michael McDaniel to Develop Program in Homeland Security Law at Cooley Law School

Brigadier General Michael C.H. McDaniel

Brigadier General Michael C.H. McDaniel has joined the Cooley Law School full-time faculty as a professor in the Constitutional Law Department, and will teach classes at the school's Auburn Hills and Lansing campuses. He will also be responsible for developing a program in Homeland Security Law.

McDaniel is currently the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Homeland Defense Strategy, Prevention and Mission Assurance. His responsibilities include supervision of the Department of Defense Critical Infrastructure Protection Program and Global Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Policy. He also serves as the Department of Defense Homeland Defense liaison to the White House and Congress and is responsible for domestic counterterrorism and counternarcotics programs.

Cooley Law School is pleased to welcome its newest faculty member.

"At a time when our national security is threatened and when our law school devotes hundreds of hours to assisting the nation's military personnel when deploying for and returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, General McDaniel's decision to join our faculty could not make us prouder," said Cooley President Don LeDuc.

"With his experience and leadership, we intend to create the best homeland security law program in the nation."

McDaniel also believes that Homeland Security Law is a growing field today and that Cooley Law School is uniquely qualified to be a leader in developing and offering this program to its students.

"It is not surprising that Cooley Law School, given its history of commitment and substantial support to the military and law enforcement, has made it a priority to develop a Homeland Security Law program," stated McDaniel. "By offering innovative programs, Cooley provides the leaders of tomorrow with the legal knowledge and skills they need in an ever increasing competitive work environment."

Earlier in his career, McDaniel was appointed by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm as her adviser on Homeland Security in 2003 and served in that capacity until July 2009. At the same time, he also served as the Assistant Adjutant General for Homeland Security, Michigan National Guard.

He served as the liaison between the governor's office in Michigan and all federal, state and local agencies on homeland security with responsibility for developing statewide policy on homeland security preparedness. Duties have included coordinating efforts to protect the state and its critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks.

McDaniel served as a member of the National Governors Association’s Homeland Security Advisors Council where he was elected to the Executive Committee in 2006 and 2008. He was named by the Office of Infrastructure Protection, Department of Homeland Security, as Chair of the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Government Coordinating Council in 2007.

McDaniel has been a member of the Michigan National Guard for over 24 years, previously serving as a military judge. He was formerly the Assistant Attorney General for Litigation in the executive division of the Michigan Department of Attorney General, with responsibility for reviewing all civil and criminal actions proposed to be initiated by the department in state or federal trial courts and all proposed settlements.

He earned his B.A. from St. Bonaventure University, his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College, and a Master of Arts in Security Studies (Homeland Security) from the Naval Postgraduate School. McDaniel received the Zimbardo Award, given to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security graduate who best embodies high academic achievement, outstanding leadership, and innovation in homeland security thinking. On November 1, 2010, he was named as a Visiting Professor in the National Security Institute at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation.  Founded in 1972, the private, non-profit law school operates J.D. programs across Michigan in Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.  Today, Cooley Law School has nearly 15,000 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.