November 24, 2008

2008 Adjunct Award Goes to Professor Lawrence Wysocki

Lawrence Wysocki

Professor Lawrence Wysocki has received Cooley Law School’s Frederick J. Griffith Adjunct Faculty Award for 2008. He was presented the award at the law school’s annual Adjunct Faculty Reception held November 21, 2008.

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.

Professor Otto Stockmeyer noted at the ceremony, “Our students and our institution are enriched by the dedicated, experienced, and talented members of our adjunct faculty. They give generously of their time. They interrupt their busy days, and give up their evening and week-end hours, to
share their expertise. To show our gratitude, we pay tribute
to our adjuncts each year by honoring one of them with this award.”

The award, Stockmeyer explained, recognizes “that member of the adjunct faculty whose service best reflects the character and attributes of Professor Griffith: Dedication to the law school, excellence in teaching, passion for persuasive advocacy, compassion for law students, and optimism about life and the future of legal education.”

The award was funded by contributions made in Professor Griffiths’ memory by his family, friends, and associates. The award carries with it a cash stipend and a memento acknowledging the recipient’s selection. Professor Wysocki asked that his award stipend be used to support deserving law students

The memento is a commemorative ceramic tile designed and produced specifically for this award by Detroit’s renowned Pewabic Pottery. Founded over 100 years ago, Pewabic Pottery has earned a national reputation for the design and production of custom tiles. Pewabic tiles are represented in many museums and private collections.

Professor Wysocki earned his Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University in 1977 and his Juris Doctor degree from Cooley Law School in 1982.

Professor Wysocki recently retired after 26 years of public service as a prosecutor for the Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office where he has used more than 30 Cooley students as externs. He’s been President of the Eaton County Bar Association and has received awards from the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and the Michigan Association of Drug Court Professionals. He also continues to be involved in pro bono activities.

Larry was a member of Cooley’s adjunct faculty for 20 years, beginning in 1988, and retiring at the conclusion of Trinity Term 2008. He taught Family Law, Family Violence Practice, and Trial Workshop. He coached the Moot Court team to a national fourth-place finish in 1999. He also lectured on Domestic Relations from 2001 to 2008 for the law school’s Michigan Essay Workshop, which is a free bar review program that Cooley offers to its students.

Dean Charles Cercone said, "Professor Wysocki epitomizes the selfless service that so many of our adjuncts give to Cooley. He was always willing to take an extra section — sometimes with little notice — because he cares about our students and he cares about our school. His students report that along with a great command of the law, Professor Wysocki demonstrates a professionalism that is the standard by which they intend to model their own careers. He will be greatly missed by all of our students and the entire Cooley community."

Holly Glazier, Director of Academic Services at Cooley, said, "What a fantastic choice for this award.  I can tell you from personal experience that Larry Wysocki is an exceptional professor, because I had him for Family Law!  Based on my personal experience, I was excited when he agreed to teach the Domestic Relations section of the Michigan Essay Workshop.  He has done so three times a year, since Cooley launched the program in 2001 to help students prepared for the Michigan Bar Exam.  It's also important to note that since his retirement from the prosecutor's office, he has taken on many pro bono clients who need legal help, but simply do not have the financial means to get it.  I enjoy hearing the stories of all the people he has helped. He sets an outstanding example for the profession!"

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

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.