Graduate Tax Program

Recent News

Cooley Adjunct Professor Paul McCord Appointed to the Michigan Tax Tribunal

Winners of 2011 Student Tax Writing Competition

The Tax Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan in conjunction with Thomas M. Cooley Law School is pleased to announce the winners in its 2011 Annual Student Tax Writing Competition. 

First prize is awarded to Kris Thavarajah for his paper.  Mr. Thavarajah will be awarded the opportunity to have a short article published in an upcoming edition of the tax section's journal, Michigan Tax Lawyer, plus receive a $100 Cooley bookstore credit.

Second prize is awarded to Joseph Simari. Mr. Simari will receive a $50 Cooley bookstore credit.

The Tax Law Section extends its thanks to all students who submitted articles for consideration in the competition.

24th Annual Tax Conference

On May 12, the 24th Annual Tax Conference was held in Plymouth, MI and Cooley hosted an exhibition booth. Professor Torielli, acting as the Chair of the State bar of Michigan Taxation Section Council, provided the welcome and introduction for the conference. Professor Larson presented at the conference on the topic of "Tax Aspects of Workouts and Bankruptcies." Professor Sheaffer hosted a breakout session on "Recent Developments in International Tax." The event was well attended by Cooley students.

Director Torielli Assumes Chair of Taxation Section

At their 2010 annual meeting, members of State Bar of Michigan's Taxation Section elected Professor Gina Torielli, the director of Cooley’s Graduate Tax Program, as chair of the Section. Torielli has served since 2004 on the Section’s governing council, and has been an officer of the Section since 2007. "Cooley's Graduate Tax Program is focused on preparing students for tax practice. My participation in the Taxation Section provides us with insights regarding practice and allows for creation of opportunities that benefit law students throughout the state," comments Torielli.

Adjunct Arranges Scholarships for 100 Students to Attend Michigan Tax Conference!

State and Local Tax adjunct, Dan Houlf, arranged for several national law and accounting firms to provide scholarships for Michigan law students to attend the Michigan Tax Conference being held in Novi on November 9-10, 2010. This conference, which focuses on state tax issues, is the second largest of its kind in the country, with hundreds of attorneys and accountants in attendance. In past years, students have enjoyed the exposure to this event, and Professor Houlf arranged for more than 100 scholarships for students interested in tax law.

Overview

The Graduate Tax Program provides a practice-oriented curriculum to help lawyers expand their opportunities by obtaining both a better understanding of tax law and a respected credential in the tax field.

The 24-credit LL.M. degree can be earned at Cooley’s campuses in Auburn Hills, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. The program is flexible offering:

• Weekend courses, some weekday sections, and special sections beginning after the bar exams;
• Accelerated classes to accommodate our students’ desires to balance their education and family lives;
• Full availability of classes year-round;
• Short, one credit courses in “hot topics.”
• A degree that can be completed in as little as one year or as many as five years.

Program Details

• Admissions, Tuition, Fin Aid
• Degree Requirements
• Guest (Non-Degree) Students
• Externships
• Faculty (pdf)
• Course Descriptions (pdf)
• Course Schedule (pdf)

Contact Us

Professor Gina M. Torielli
Graduate Tax Program Director
(734) 372-4900, ext. 8732

Professor Joni Larson
Assistant Graduate Tax Program Director
(517) 371-5140, ext. 2706

Cathy J. McCollum
Director, Graduate & Extended Programs
(517) 371-5140, ext. 2703

Vanessa Ramakers
Administrative Assistant
Graduate and Extended Programs
(248) 751-7800, ext. 7783