Benchmark Column - May 2009 - Thomas M. Cooley Law School

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SCHOOL NEWSSAVE THE DATEMichigan Bar AdmissionCeremonyMay 20091:00 - 3:00 p.m.Cooley Center,Lansing, Mich.Cooley 5K Racefor Education –June 5, 20097:30 p.m.Downtown Lansing, Mich.Cooley Alumni AssociationGolf OutingJune 22, 200910:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.Country Club of Lansing,Lansing, Mich.Alumni Reception at theState Bar of MichiganAnnual MeetingSeptember 17, 20094:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.Hyatt Regency Hotel, Rotunda,Dearborn, Mich.Cooley Alumni AssociationAnnual MeetingOctober 10, 20094:00 - 6:00 p.m.Cooley Temple, Middle TempleClassroom, Lansing, Mich.Cooley Alumni AssociationEvening of Good TasteOctober 10, 20096:00 - 10:00 p.m.Cooley Temple, Middle TempleClassroom; Lansing, Mich.Cooley Society Debut:the Annual DonorRecognition GalaOctober 24, 20096:30 p.m.Cooley Center Lobby,Lansing, Mich.Michigan Bar AdmissionCeremonyNovember 20091:00 - 3:00 p.m.Cooley Temple Auditorium,Lansing, Mich.STUDENT AWARDSAlumni Association Past Presidents’ Committee Chair Virginia P. Allen(right) awarded the 2009 Alumni Memorial Scholarship to current studentSarah Ann RamseyAlumni Past Presidents’ Committee ChairVirginia Allen grants the 2009 AlumniMemorial ScholarshipCooley Alumni Association Past Presidents’ CommitteeChair Virginia P. Allen (Wing Class, 1982) awarded the2009 Alumni Memorial Scholarship to current studentSarah Ann Ramsey at the Hilary Term Honors Convocationheld on April 3rd at the Auburn Hills campus.The Alumni Memorial Scholarship is granted each yearto a current student who has successfully earned atleast 30 credit hours, is in good academic standing,exhibits financial need, and is a positive force in theCooley community.The applicants’ materials were reviewed by AlumniAssociation Past Presidents’ Committee Chair VirginiaP. Allen (Wing Class, 1982), and committee membersM. Carol Bambery (Morell Class, 1985), Julie Clement(McDonald Class, 1998), Sharon Ellis (North Class,1980), Jeff Haarer (Copeland Class, 1989), Larry Kish(Marston Class, 1978), Andy Sass (Morell Class, 1985),Mike Pelot (Martin Class, 1988), Diane M. Smith(North Class 1980), John J. Smith (Smith Class, 1985),and Charles Toy (Kavanagh Class, 1985) to make theselection. The 2009 Alumni Memorial Scholarshipamounted to $2,871, the tuition cost for a threecreditclass.Committee Chair Allen commented, “The AlumniAssociation Memorial Scholarship fund has grown overthe years thanks to the hard work of the alumni. Whenyou support the Golf Outing and the Wine Tasting fundraisers, for example, you are contributing to the fund.We have progressed from giving only a couplehundred dollars to granting two, three-credit tuitionscholarships annually. Thank you for your support.”According to Sarah Ramsey, “I am honored to be therecipient of the 2009 Alumni Memorial Scholarship.This scholarship will be extremely helpful to me inachieving my goals and my life long dream ofbecoming an attorney.”The scholarship is derived from income from the AlumniMemorial Scholarship Fund. That fund is supported bythe generous contributions of many alumni, and by theproceeds from the Alumni Golf Benefit, which is heldeach summer. This year’s outing is scheduled forMonday, June 22 at the Country Club of Lansing.All Cooley students, faculty, friends, and staff arecordially invited to attend. Visit Amy Swope at theAlumni Relations Office on the 10th floor of theCooley Center, call (800) 243-ALUM, or e-mailhusseinf@cooley.edu for more information on theGolf Benefit.Cooley Law School Names the Sixth AnnualIda and Benjamin Alpert ScholarThanks to the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. MyronAlpert of Highland Beach, Fla., Thomas M. CooleyLaw School recognized its annual Ida and BenjaminAlpert Scholar recently. Several outstanding third-yearstudents with financial need and who had excelled inservice to their fellow students through their leadershipin student organizations or activities were consideredfor this recognition.The recipient receives $2,500 from a substantialdonation given to Cooley in 2003 by the AlpertFoundation. The 2008-2009 Ida and BenjaminAlpert Scholar is current student Trevor Reaves.Mr. Reaves said, “I am truly honored to be this year’srecipient of this scholarship and extremely grateful toMr. and Mrs. Alpert for making this possible. I haveworked with many students who are outstandingleaders here at Cooley, so this recognition is truly aprivilege. I must thank those who have served with mein different leadership capacities. They are the oneswho made it that much easier for me to lead and be thecaliber of person I am today. Without their continuedsupport, I don’t know if I would be in a positionto accept such an honor. I plan to use my Cooleyexperience to elevate my level of service as Ienter the legal community.”The award was granted in part due to Mr. Reaves’leadership qualities and a willingness to serve in hiscommunity and school, participating as President of theBlack Law Students Association, Class Senator & Parliamentarianof the Student Bar Association, Associationof Graduation Marshals & Cooley Ambassador, andmany other activities. His academic successes consist ofseveral scholarships, honors, and awards.Cooley Law School and Mr. and Mrs. Alpert are proudto be able to recognize Mr Reaves’ contribution to theschool through this honor.Alumni Association Grants DistinguishedStudent Award to Daniel Reaume forthe Riley ClassThe faculty, staff, and student body of Thomas M.Cooley Law School’s Auburn Hills Campus whogathered on April 3rd for the Honors Convocationof Hilary Term 2009 witnessed the granting of theDistinguished Student Award to Daniel Reaumeof the Riley Class.Daniel’s GPA was 3.95 and ranked second in a class ofover 400 students. He has earned at least 15 bookawards and won the 2008 Intra-School Mock TrialCompetition. Daniel is a leader in his industry, and is anaward-winning engineer and an adjunct faculty memberat the University of Michigan. Daniel has also served asan Assistant Editor of the Cooley Law Review as well asa member of the Cooley Intellectual Law Society, theABA, and a number of professional organizations in theengineering field.Alumni Association Past Presidents’ Committee Chair Virginia P. Allen (right)Grants Distinguished Student Award to Daniel Reaume for the Riley ClassUpon hearing of his honor as Distinguished Student,Daniel stated, “receiving the DSA is an especially greathonor because it comes from an alumni body representingan exceptionally diverse variety of backgroundsand ideas. I have had the good fortune to experience asampling of this diversity through Cooley alumni teachingclasses as professors and adjunct professors. Thatthey taught the practice of law – not just legal theory –was a vital part of my Cooley experience.As a part-time student, I also appreciate that receivingthe DSA is a testament to Cooley’s dedication to makinga quality legal education accessible to non-traditionalstudents. I truly appreciate the dedication of the Cooleyfaculty, administration, and alumni.I thank the Cooley Alumni Association for honoringme with the DSA and look forward to joining itsranks upon graduation.”The students nominated for this semester’sDistinguished Student Award furnished a variety ofinformation, including resumes and letters of referencethat were reviewed by the Executive Committee.Nominees were also personally interviewed as part ofthe selection process. Members of each graduating classare evaluated on the criteria of character, academicaccomplishment, leadership, and extracurricularactivities in the decision to grant the DistinguishedStudent Award.The Alumni Association is proud and pleased togive recognition to this outstanding member ofthe Riley Class and extends its best wishes for hiscontinuing success.Second Scholarship Awarded to Thomas M.Cooley Law School Student in Memory ofMelissa S. MitchellErin Kathleen Doering, Woodward Class, has beennamed the second recipient of the litigation-basedscholarship named in memory of Melissa Mitchell,(Swainson Class, 2003). Erin received her award at theLansing Honors Convocation on March 20, 2009.The Melissa Mitchell Memorial Scholarship Fund wasfounded in June 2006 by several of Melissa’s family,friends, classmates, and professors. The scholarshipaward is made to a currently enrolled student who hasearned at least 30 credit hours at Cooley and who isa student of good character and in good academicstanding. Preference is given to those individuals whohave: (a) demonstrated excellence in litigation skillsthrough participation in the Moot Court or MockTrial Programs, (b) demonstrated a passion for learningand the law, and (c) demonstrated a commitmentto community or pro bono service. The selectioncommittee, chaired by Professor Evelyn Calogero,consisted of Professors Ronald Bretz, James Hicks,Marjorie Russell, and William Wagner.In accepting the Melissa Mitchell Memorial Scholarship,Doering stated, “I am indeed honored and privileged toaccept this award in honor of Melissa Mitchell.”As Cooley’s motto states, “in corde hominum estanima legis,” in the heart of man is the spirit of law.Melissa Mitchell was that spirit who will live on throughthe Melissa Mitchell Memorial Scholarship Fund.Cooley Law Library – Lansing CampusTHEN: A law library of 10,000 volumesNOW: A resource of nearly 600,000 volumes with an average of 15,000 volumes addedeach year, Cooley’s Thomas E. Brennan Law Library ranks among the largest in the UnitedStates. It’s staffed by 40 full-time employees, 21 of whom are professional librarians.BENCHMARK COLUMN | MAY 2009 | VOLUME 1 | NUMBER 2
ALUMNI MATTERSCOOLEY LAW SCHOOL HOSTSAlumni ReceptionsCOOLEYALUMNI EVENTSIN BEANTOWNOn January 22, 2009, alumni gathered at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge,Mass. for a cocktail reception hosted by Director of Development,Pamela Heos. “It was a nice exchange of alumni who had not previouslymet. They networked and offered new alumni assistance with job leads andresumes. They all exchanged their business cards and were happy to beupdated on our campus growth, enrollment and programs.” Richard Ravosa(Black Class, 1996) noted “The Lawyering Before Trial and Trial Workshopcourses prepared me very thoroughly for the busy civil trial practice I havetoday. The trial prep courses were invaluable, and my clients, who are theend-users, benefit from my first-rate Cooley legal education.” Ravosa also addedthat former President Brennan advised him to “take a lawyer to lunch” and hedid so with a Boston area lawyer. This chance meeting has led to a long friendshipand referrals from that lawyer, who has become his landlord for many yearsas Ravosa’s law practice has grown. “I felt I was very well-prepared to hangout my shingle in the Boston area in 1996 and that Cooley had pointed me inthe right direction.”Boston area alumni were also invited to a Cooley alumni reception onFebruary 17 at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in conjunction with the AmericanBar Association Mid-Winter Conference. Associate Dean of Professional andCareer Development, Charles Toy (Kavanagh Class, 1981) hosted the eventand enjoyed the exchange with fellow alumni. This coming September, DeanToy will become President of the State Bar of Michigan, the first Cooley graduateto hold that position.COOLEY IN FLORIDA:FIVE CITIES IN FIVE DAYSTrailing only Michigan, Florida is the state with the second largestnumber of Cooley graduates -- more than 800. With thiswinter came the opportunity for Cooley to organize a series ofevents to visit those alumni as well as friends and prospectivestudents throughout the southern portion of the state. Assistedby key alumni volunteers, Associate Dean Jim Robb toured fiveFlorida cities in five days.The tour started with an evening reception on Oct. 10 at thefamous Testa’s Restaurant in Palm Beach, co-hosted by ScottDevore (Stone Class, 1996). Devore’s brother and fellowCooley graduate Jeff (Johnson Class, 1989) was among theother guests. The next day brought an alumni luncheon at LeCafé de Paris in Ft. Lauderdale followed by an evening receptionat Perricone’s in Miami. Both of those events were co-hosted byLara Edelstein (Steere Class, 1995), who serves as chair of theCooley Alumni Association’s special events committee. “Theseevents were wonderful opportunities to renew old acquaintancesand make new ones,” she said. Edelstein previouslyorganized the law school’s highly successful U.S. SupremeCourt bar admission event in 2008.On Oct. 12, the Cooley tour moved to Bonita Springs for anevening reception at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort.Co-host Christopher “Sarge” Sweeney (Toy Class, 2003) andCooley Professors Dorean Koenig and Ann Wing welcomedalumni and incoming students. Cooley’s reception was held inconjunction with the two-day winter conference of the State Barof Michigan’s Real Property Law Section. Thus, Cooley’s Floridaalumni met with many Michigan lawyers at the receptionand were also invited to attend the conference at a speciallydiscounted price. Chris Sweeney reported that, “I especiallyenjoyed the chance to meet with prospective students and tellthem how great a school Cooley has become.”The Florida tour concluded on Oct. 14 with a luncheon atJackson’s Bistro on the waterfront in downtown Tampa. SandiMilmed (Sharpe Class, 1998), Gus Richter (Christiancy Class,1997), and John Parigros (Paterson Class, 2002) served asco-hosts. Milmed, who has helped organize numerous Cooleyevents in the Tampa area, commented that “Even the Cooleyalumni far from Michigan can stay involved with the school in ameaningful way.” The luncheon featured an appearance andremarks by Cooley’s founding President, the Hon. Thomas E.Brennan. “In the 35 years since we opened our doors, Cooleyhas grown into one of the nation’s finest, becoming a schoolabout which we all have much reason to be excited and proud.”Professor Dorean Koenig and Michelle Simmons Brown (Durand Class, 1992)in Bonita SpringsLara Edelstein (Steere Class, 1995), David Brandwein (Steere Class, 1995), Paul Gottfried(Williams Class, 1994), Steven Rubino (Black Class, 1996), and Lawrence Ploucha(Kelly Class, 1978) in Ft. Lauderdale(Clockwise starting from top left): Anita Khachikyan (Kavanagh Class, 2008), Ysabel Hernandez(Adams Class, 2008), Lara Edelstein (Steere Class, 2008), Michelle Pernas (Sharpe Class, 2008),Jaline Fenwick (Kavanagh Class, 2008), and Radames Heredia III (Sharpe Class, 2008) in MiamiGerald Eisman (Epaphroditus Class, 1979), Gus Richter (Christiancy Class, 1977),Bud Stansell (North Class, 1980), Hon. Thomas E. Brennan in TampaCOOLEYALUMNI INTHE BIG APPLEWINDY CITY LUNCHEONOn December 16, 2008, 40 alumni and prospective studentsgathered for the annual Chicago Alumni Luncheon at Maggiano’sRestaurante. This event, always successful, brought together agroup of alumni from the classes of 1978-2008 and was hostedby Cooley’s Director of Development, Pamela Heos.“It is always energizing to see this group network and share theirCooley memories. They seem to enjoy coming together eachyear that we have hosted this event. The number of attendeesspeaks to their interest and commitment to Cooley. Alumni wereupdated on enrollment, campus growth, and the record numberof applicants to Cooley,” said Heos.Graduate Tony Kalogerakos (Starr Class, 2005) attended thisyear for the first time. He noted, “As a weekend student commutingfrom Chicago, my Cooley Law School experience wasenjoyable. I was challenged, worked hard, and am reaping thebenefits today. Cooley prepared me before as well as aftergraduation by providing the resources, knowledge, contacts, andstaff who were willing to go above and beyond. I attended thisevent because I wanted to make contacts and set up a network.By attending this luncheon, I received three leads which lead totwo injury settlements, thus very beneficial.Over 30 New York City area alumni gathered on Feb. 10 at the MilleniumHilton in lower Manhattan, hosted by Associate Dean Charles Toy (KavanaghClass, 1981). Co-hosts for the event were Kathy Martin (Weadock Class,1999) and Sidney Cherubin (Blair Class, 2001). “Dean Toy again had thepleasure of meeting many alumni as he prepares to assume his position thiscoming fall as the President of the State Bar of Michigan,” Kathy Martin stated.“Cooley means so much to me, and I amappreciative of the education I received.I enjoy attending these events each yearand staying in touch with fellow alumniand Cooley staff.”Kathy Martin (Weadock Class, 1999)KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS. ETHICS.
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Page 9: SCHOOL NEWSFor Misty Davis, the law

Benchmark Column - May 2009 - Thomas M. Cooley Law School

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