August 2, 2007

Thomas M. Cooley Law School Purchases Facility in Auburn Hills

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School announced today that it has purchased a 67-acre parcel in Auburn Hills from DaimlerChrysler Corporation. Located just south of DaimlerChrysler headquarters, the parcel at 2630 Featherstone Road is situated immediately east of I-75 and immediately north of M-59.

The site contains a 67,000 square-foot, three-story building. Cooley plans to renovate the existing building to allow for classrooms, a full law library, student services and other offices, and to build an addition of about the same size. The law school intends to occupy the existing building by January 2008, where it will offer its full 90-credit program and to have the addition ready for use by January 2009.

This fall, Cooley will continue to offer its full program at Oakland University, where it has offered classes since the fall of 2002. After opening the Juris Doctor (JD) program, Cooley Law School and Oakland University developed JD/MPA and JD/MBA degree partnerships, which will remain in place. Officials at the two schools are exploring ways to expand their relationship.

This summer, about 450 Cooley students attend classes in Oakland University facilities, a number that is expected to increase to about 550 this fall, due to a larger than anticipated incoming class. In January 2008, enrollment is projected to be about 600 students and is expected to reach 750 students by January 2009.

Cooley President Don LeDuc said that he is “excited about the new facilities and the opportunities they offer to increase access to legal education at Cooley Law School in Oakland County. We’ve enjoyed our relationship with Oakland University for the past five years, and we look forward to expanding our relationship with Oakland University, both on their campus and at our new nearby facilities.”

Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the country and includes the largest African-American and second-largest minority student enrollment.  Founded in 1972, it operates J.D. programs in Michigan's capital city in Lansing, in suburban Oakland County, and in downtown Grand Rapids.  Today, Cooley Law School has over 12,000 graduates across the nation and worldwide and also offers joint degree and Master of Laws programs.  Additional information about Cooley can be found at www.cooley.edu.