Auburn Hill Campus News and Events - Thomas M. Cooley Law School

Events

Student Bar Association Holiday Giving Project - December 18, 2008
The Student Bar Association of Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Auburn Hills Campus and Oakland County Bar Association provided five families from Pontiac Northern High School with everything on their holiday wish lists.

The families received clothes, shoes, coats, gloves, hats, scarves and pajamas for every family member as well as household necessities, a Christmas tree and a gift card to Walmart. In addition each family received a Christmas ham dinner with all the fixings. Thank you to Emery McClendon, Breeda O’Leery and Anthony Vitucci for spearheading this Christmas charity project.

Cooley Lends a Hand to Help Less Fortunate Families for Thanksgiving - November 25, 2008
A collaborative effort with Cooley Law student clubs, faculty, staff, students, Kroger and Oak Ridge Markets provided 100 local less fortunate families with Thanksgiving dinners. Students and staff packed 100 boxes with donated items. Each box contained two boxes of macaroni and cheese, two cans of green beans, one box of cake mix, one box of frosting, one dozen rolls, three boxes of stuffing, one 2 liter of pop, one can cranberry sauce, one can of gravy, mashed potatoes and one 14 pound turkey.

Students and staff packed and delivered boxes to a Lighthouse drop off point. “I was happy to see that we were able to set a high goal and accomplish that with support from Cooley students, faculty and staff,” Emery McClendon, Treasurer of the Black Law Student Association and one of the event organizers.

Mary Ann Wehr "A Day in the Life of an In-House Attorney" Presentation - November 18, 2008
Mary Ann Wehr, an attorney for General Motors Corporation with a focuson the corporation’s global Information Systems and Services Organization presented “A Day in the Life of an In-House Attorney, The Art of Twenty Four Hour Issue Juggling on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at the Auburn Hills Campus. The event was sponsored by the Student Intellectual Property Law Association. Victoria King gave the introduction, “Professor Wehr’s path may not have been the popular one, but it worked for her.”

Artis White “Innocent Yet Charged” Presentation - July 22, 2008
The Auburn Hills ACLU presented “Innocent Yet Charged” with speaker Artis White. The presentation was on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at noon in AH 144. Thirty students and staff listened to the story of Artis White’s struggle to prove himself innocent in the murder of his wife. Mr. White said it is easier to be "rich and guilty than poor and innocent."

The Community Legal Resource Fair - June 30, 2008
The first annual Community Legal Resource Fair was held on Saturday, June 30, 2008, 10 a.m. – 2p.m. on the Auburn Hills Campus of Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Alana Glass, a JD and LL.M. graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School approached Courtney Shipp, President of the Black Law Students Association for support for this event. BLSA enthusiastically collaborated. The goal of the fair was to provide information to the community by giving them access to legal service organizations and law firms.

Seven sponsors helped to fund the fair; Brian Dougherty, OU branch of MSU Credit Union, Redstone Results, Edwards Legal Services, EK&R Glass Group and UAW-GM. There were 18 exhibitors including ACLU of Michigan; Adams-Pratt Oakland County Law Library; Business Planning and Taxation TMCLS; Common Ground Sanctuary; Community Legal Resources; Elder Law of Michigan; EPC, Lakeshore Legal Aid; HAVEN, Legal Aid and Defender; OU branch of MSU Credit Union; Oakland Business Center; Oakland Bar Association; PAAM – Criminal Victims Division; Social Security Administration; Secretary of State; State of Michigan Representative, Tim Melton.

Two programs were also presented. Jon Savio, VP of OU MSU Credit Union, spoke on credit scoring, credit reports, identity theft and foreclosures. O’Brien Robertson from Social Security Administration spoke on the history and future of social security benefits.

About sixty individuals attended. “We have already begun planning for next year’s fair. The fair will have a long lasting effect on Cooley and the community.”

Is a Path to Citizenship Amnesty? - May 20, 2008 Mrs. Becky Norton Dunlop V.P. External Relation at the Heritage Foundation and President of the Federalist Society, Keith Stover
Mrs. Becky Norton Dunlop, Vice President of External Relations at the Heritage Foundation presented "Is a Path to Citizenship Amnesty?" on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at noon. The Auburn Hills Federalist Society sponsored the event. Mrs. Dunlop suggested that "equal application of the law must be supported." Employers cannot hire illegals and people who come here illegally must face consequences. A discussion followed and lunch was provided.

Municipal Law Panel Presentation - May 19, 2008
On Monday, May 19, 2008, Cooley law student Barry Malone provided the introductions for the Municipal Law Panel Presentation. Present were Professor Gerald Fisher, who served as our distinguished moderator and guest speakers Allan Motzny, Assistant City Attorney for the City of Troy, and Jeff Cuthbertson, attorney with Secrest Wardle and Mayor Pro Tem of Rochester.

The panel members provided students with a wonderful overview of a day in the life of a municipal attorney. Mr. Motzny focused on municipal practice from the prospective of a being a direct employee of the municipality while Mr. Cuthbertson discussed his experience practicing in a law firm and serving as general counsel for multiple cities.

Ethics in Criminal Prosecution and Defense - May 16, 2008 Panelists Thomas Cranmer, former SBM President, Judge Gerald Rosen, and attorney Alan Gershel at AU
“Ethics in Criminal Prosecution and Defense,” a panel discussion on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 12 noon at the Auburn Hills Campus featured panelists; Thomas Cranmer, former President of the State Bar of Michigan, 2007 Lawyer of the Year, white collar and criminal defense lawyer for Miller Canfield; The Honorable Gerald Rosen, Judge of the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, first American Judge to preside over terrorism trial and Alan Gershel, for Chief of the Criminal Division, U.S. District Attorney Office, Detroit. Moderators were Professors Lisa Halushka and Martha Moore. Ways of ensuring ethical advocacy were discussed; enforcing Rules of Procedure, trying the case in the court and not the media, and making sure the court sees the whole picture. The goal is “not to win the case, but to see that justice is done.” A luncheon preceeded the panel discussion.

Thomas DeFrank - May 15, 2008 Mr. Thomas DeFrank author speaks at AH
Thomas DeFrank, author of “Write It When I’m Gone: Remarkable Off-the-Record Conversations with Gerald R. Ford” spoke as part of the 2008 Michigan Notable Books Program at the Thomas M. Cooley, Auburn Hills Campus on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12 noon. Mr. DeFrank is one of “Washington, D.C.’s most respected president-watchers.” Former President Gerald R. Ford called him “one of the finest journalists I have ever known.” Mr. DeFrank said that President Ford was one of the least pretentious and most fun of the many Presidents that he covered. One of Ford’s favorite lines reflecting his unimperial nature was “Remember, I’m a Ford, not a Lincoln.” Mr. DeFrank answered questions and signed copies of his book. Luncheon was served.

Federal Judicial Clerkship Panel Presentation - May 12, 2008
On Monday, May 12, students gathered for the Federal Judicial Clerkship Panel Presentation moderated by Professor Mark Cooney. Cooley alumni Bob Beaupre, Anisha Desai, and Krystal Johnson served as guest speakers at the presentation. They discussed their experience as federal judicial clerks emphasizing the value and benefit of a judicial clerkship as an exceptional beginning to their legal careers. “My favorite part of the federal clerking experience is the confidence I have gained from reading attorneys’ briefs,” Krystal Johnson remarked. The panel members shared their favorite cases, challenges and their view of the legal process.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration - May 5, 2008 Cinco de Mayo celebration AU
The Auburn Hills Campus of Thomas M. Cooley Law School celebrated Cinco de Mayo on Monday May 5, 2008 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in room 144. Make-your-own nachos, Margarita punch, toss the ring on the cactus, and music provided a break to encourage lively studying.

Sexual Assault Prevention Session - April 1, 2008
To honor Sexual Assault Prevention month, the ABA/LSD, ACLU and Family Law Assistance Project invited Megan Widman of MSW and Haven and Robert Giles of the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office to speak on overcoming misconceptions about sexual assault. The session was held on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 from 5-6 p.m. in room 144 of the Auburn Hills Campus. Many times, in the courtroom, victims are blamed for the assault. The jurors want to know why the victim didn’t fight, or yell for help. They may also believe that the victim provoked the assault by dressing provocatively. The discussion centered on what role attorneys, as litigants can do to prevent these misconceptions.

March Madness Kick-off Party - March 20, 2008
Cooley students, staff and faculty gathered on Thursday, March 20, 2008, 1-3 p.m. in Room 144 at the Auburn Hills Campus for a March Madness Kick-off Party. All were encouraged to wear their favorite team jersey and to participate in the Cooley Law Ball bracket picks. Winners will be honored at a lunch with Associate Dean of Development & Alumni Relations / General Counsel, Jim Robb and Associate Dean John Nussbaumer. Corn dogs, potato chips, soft pretzels and funnel cakes were enjoyed by all.

A special medals presentation was made to our very own "Cooley Bombers," Vassal Johnson, Mousa Bahhur, Daniel Murry, Michael Murry, Khalif Rhodes, Adam Zebryk, Casey Walker,
and Jeff Romback. They were the winners of the Oakland University Intramural basketball tournament. Professor Taylor was heard to offer an AH, TMCLS faculty basketball challenge.

Do Real World Laws Apply In Virtual Reality? - January 29, 2008
The computer and Information Technology Section of the Michigan State Bar presented, "Do Real World Laws Apply In Virtual Reality?" on Tuesday, January, 29, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 144 of the Auburn Hills Campus. Discussion of emerging legal issues in Second Life and other Virtual Worlds was accompanied by dinner.

Information Fair - January 24, 2008
One hundred students, staff and faculty attended the Information Fair and Advisor/Advisee light supper on Thursday, January 24, 2008, 6-8 p.m. The theme was Auburn Hills, t’amo. Seventeen advisors met with their advisees and feasted on the Italian buffet. Thirty five organizations were represented. Prizes were donated by National City Bank, City of Auburn Hills, Practice Multistate Bar Review, Macomb County Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Association, TMCLS Bookstore, AH Campus library, Credit Union One, Costco and Westlaw. Moussa Bahhur was once again a big winner. After votes were counted, the AH ACLU won the prize for the Best Table.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast - January 21, 2008
The Auburn Hills Black Law Students Association sponsored the 1st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast on Monday, January 21, 2008. Forty judges, faculty, staff and students gathered to celebrate Equal Access to Justice Day. The special guest speaker was Judge Wade Harper McCree. The breakfast included music on the keyboard and singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing." One of the quotes from the program, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."