Sept. 12, 2008

Cooley Law School Adds Associate Dean

Charles Toy

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School today announced the addition of Charles Toy as associate dean who will oversee Cooley’s office of career and professional development.

“There is a crucial continuum between the classroom and a career,” Toy said.  “I want Cooley’s office of career and professional development to be instrumental in that continuum and ensure all Cooley graduates are employed.”

Toy will oversee Cooley’s efforts to assist students in finding their first jobs following graduation from the nation’s largest law school.  He plans to re-examine the employment assistance Cooley offers to students and look for opportunities to improve and expand career services.

“We can provide the best education to our students, but if students are not employed after graduation, we’re not fully completing our job,” Toy said. 

Toy graduated summa cum laude from Cooley in 1981.  He is the former president of the Cooley Alumni Association, a former member of Cooley's board of directors and the parent of a Cooley student. He earned a master’s degree in park and recreation resources from Michigan State University and a bachelor’s degree in biological science from Oakland University.  After graduating from Cooley, he was a law clerk in the Michigan Court of Appeals, an Ingham County prosecutor and a partner at Farhat & Story, P.C.

Toy will become president-elect of the State Bar of Michigan later this month and will become president of the State Bar of Michigan in 2009. He also is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates, which determines policy and goals for the ABA.

“Cooley is fortunate to have one of Michigan’s premier lawyers as its associate dean of career and professional development,” said Cooley President and Dean Don LeDuc.  “Charles Toy brings to Cooley a wealth of experience and great prestige, but he also provides a great role model for our students and serves as a wonderful example of what can be accomplished in a legal career.” 

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 more than 12,000 graduates across the nation and worldwide and also offers joint degree and Master of Law programs.  Cooley enters classes three times a year, in January, May, and September.  Additional information about Cooley can be found at www.cooley.edu.