June 10, 2011

Cooley Graduate Named a Winner of Ralph M. Freeman Scholarship

Recent Cooley Law School graduate Joshua Van Laan, of the Auburn Hills campus, has been named a winner of the prestigious Ralph M. Freeman Scholarship.

Each year the Federal District Court in the Eastern District awards a scholarship to one student from each of the five law schools in Michigan. The scholarship is called the Ralph M. Freeman Memorial Scholarship, endowed by a former U.S. District Judge.

Litigation Concentration professors from all Cooley campuses nominate students in their last year of law school who have demonstrated excellence in litigation. By unanimous vote, Van Laan was named this year’s winner.

Cooley Law School graduate, Joshua Van Laan (right) was presented with the Ralph M. Freeman Scholarship Award by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Gerald R. Rosen (center). Cooley Professor Lisa Halushka was on hand for congratulations.
Cooley Law School graduate, Joshua Van Laan (right) was presented with the Ralph M. Freeman Scholarship Award by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Gerald R. Rosen (center). Cooley Professor Lisa Halushka was on hand for congratulations.

© Thomas M. Cooley Law School 2011

Cooley Professor Lisa Halushka (left) and Joshua Van Laan (holding plaque, first row, second from left) join other winners of the Freeman Scholarship and their guests during the award ceremony at the U.S. District Courthouse.

© Thomas M. Cooley Law School 2011

Cooley graduate Joshua Van Laan (left) is congratulated on winning the Ralph M. Freeman Scholarship Award. Van Laan, of Oakland Township, Mich., graduated cum laude and earned a Leadership Achievement Award at Cooley. He was part of Cooley’s National Mock Trial Team, served as the Mock Trial Executive Board Competitions Chair, was a finalist in the Intra-School Mock Trial and Criminal Law competitions, and a Gold Medal Finalist in the Intra-School Client Counseling Competition. He also received the Outstanding Senior Litigator Award from the Mock Trial Board.
Cooley graduate Joshua Van Laan (left) is congratulated on winning the Ralph M. Freeman Scholarship Award. Van Laan, of Oakland Township, Mich., graduated cum laude and earned a Leadership Achievement Award at Cooley. He was part of Cooley’s National Mock Trial Team, served as the Mock Trial Executive Board Competitions Chair, was a finalist in the Intra-School Mock Trial and Criminal Law competitions, and a Gold Medal Finalist in the Intra-School Client Counseling Competition. He also received the Outstanding Senior Litigator Award from the Mock Trial Board. He served as a Student Bar Association Senator, a Grade Appeals Magistrate, a Student Ambassador, and as founder and president of the Intramural Sports Organization. Van Laan also served as the Scholarly Writing Editor of the Cooley Law Review, and as a Teaching Assistant in Torts I and II. He earned Certificates of Merit in Scholarly Writing and Trial Skills, and was on the Dean’s List and Honor Roll. Photographs by Gabriel Orzame Jr, Esq.

© Thomas M. Cooley Law School 2011

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 more than 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.