Lisa was unsure of her career direction until she took a law course in her second-to-last semester at Western Michigan University. "It was the first time in my entire education that I actually enjoyed going to class and, more importantly, I excelled."

She was offered a 25 percent scholarship to Cooley, and the weekend and night classes provided her with the schedule flexibility she needed. Although she had just an average LSAT score, "Cooley took a chance on me." Lisa excelled at Cooley, graduated first in her class, summa cum laude, and received both the President’s Achievement Award and the Alumni Distinguished Student Award, a rare triple win at the school.

"Instead of loading my mind with the thoughts of other men and women, Cooley taught me to think for myself. These skills have proved invaluable in giving my injured clients a voice."

Lisa Esser

She then left Sommers Schwarz, graduated, and began studying for the February 2007 Michigan bar examination. The day before the bar exam, Sommers Schwartz called and asked her to return as a full time associate. "Without Cooley's resources and the help of several professors, I would not have this position today."

More Success Stories