2007 Adjunct Faculty Award Goes to Professor Ronald R. Sutton

Professor Ronald R. Sutton has received Cooley Law School’s Frederick J. Griffith Adjunct Faculty Award for 2007. He was presented the award at the law school’s annual Adjunct Faculty Reception held November 16, 2007.

Cooley established the Griffith Award in 1997 to recognize the contributions of adjunct professors to the mission of the law school. It honors the late Frederick J. "Rick" Griffith, a Lansing attorney and adjunct professor at Cooley. The award was funded by contributions made in his memory by family, friends and associates.

The mission of Cooley Law School is practical legal education. Who could be better at imparting a practical orientation to the study of law than practicing lawyers and sitting judges who teach elective courses in their specific fields of law and practice?

“The dedicated, experienced, and talented members of our adjunct faculty immeasurably enrich our students and our institution,” said Cooley Professor Otto Stockmeyer. “They give generously of their time. They interrupt their busy days and give up their evenings to share their expertise. To show our gratitude, each year we pay tribute to our adjuncts by honoring one of them with the Griffith Award.”

Generally, full-time faculty members teach Cooley’s 22 required courses and adjunct faculty members teach the school’s 120 or so elective courses. But this is not universally true. Professor Sutton has taught both elective and required courses, including at various times since 1990, Lawyering Before Trial, Law Practice, Sports Law, and Torts I and II.

Professor Sutton is a 1976 honor graduate of Michigan State University. He graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in 1979. For nearly 20 years, he practiced law with the Lansing law firm of Fraser, Trebilcock, Davis & Dunlap. His areas of practice included commercial litigation, insurance law, family law, and sports law.

Since the year 2000, Professor Sutton has been Deputy Court Administrator and Attorney Referee for the 56th Judicial Circuit Court and the Eaton County Probate Court. There he assists in the administration of the courts with emphasis on developing community-based programs for the rehabilitation of delinquent youth.

In addition, Professor Sutton conducts hearings in matters involving delinquency and child protection. In 2006, he received a Certificate of Recognition from the Eaton County Abuse and Neglect Council for his work.

Professor Sutton also is president of Sutton Sports Management Co., providing worldwide representation of professional basketball players.

Professor Sutton’s students hold him in high regard. Course evaluations often comment on the enthusiasm he brings to his teaching: “Prof was enthusiastic and well-prepared.” “Very enjoyable and enthusiastic teaching style.” “Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.”

It is also clear from student comments that they are enthusiastic about him: “Outstanding! Favorite professor this term.” “Professor Sutton is one of the best I’ve had at Cooley.” “By far one of the best law professors I’ve ever had.”

The Griffith Award is not Professor Sutton’s first such recognition. He was named “Favorite Male Adjunct” by the Student Bar Association in 2006.

The Griffith Award Selection Committee consists of Associate Deans Chuck Cercone, John Nussbaumer and William Weiner, and Professors Stockmeyer, Charles Palmer, Ernie Phillips, and Ann Wing.

Previous Griffith Award recipients were Frederick J. Griffith (posthumously), Robert Stocker, Eugene Krasicki, Karen Bush Schneider, Judge Randy Tahoven, Michael Behan, Andrew Quinn, Janice Cunningham, Donald Hinkle, and Steven Owen.

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.