WMU-Cooley Law School has a long history and mission of embracing a welcoming culture of diversity and inclusiveness. The law school stands firm in its belief that the study of law should not be an esoteric pursuit and that the practice of law should not be an elitist profession. WMU-Cooley was founded on the premises that an individual's formal knowledge of the law is beneficial to society as a whole and that the strength of a democracy depends upon the ability of people to understand their laws.
Preparing lawyers who truly reflect our society.
ALUMNI DIVERSITY
Faculty Feature: WMU-Cooley Chief of Staff to the President and Dean, and Professor
"WMU-Cooley has provided me with a supportive environment to be my authentic self and pursue the work that is important to me and my community. I am currently a Professor and Chief of Staff to the President and Dean of WMU-Cooley Law School. I have focused his scholarship and service on issues that affect the LGBTQIA+ community. My most most recent publication was Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve:Custodial Standing of Non-Biological Same-Sex Parents for Children Born Before Marriage Equality, 24 Am. U. J. Gender Soc. Pol'y & L. 469 (2016). I also served for six-years as a member of the board of directors of Affirmations, Metro Detroit’s community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and their allies. In June of 2021, I joined the board of Stand with Trans, whose mission is to advocate, support and empower Transgender youth to be their authentic selves. I am also a member of the LGBT Section of the State Bar of Michigan. I greatly enjoy mentoring LGBTQIA+ students at WMU-Cooley as they begin their legal journey." - Frank Aiello
Diverse Student Body
The diversity of our student body creates a dynamic learning environment that enriches the educational experience and promotes careers of our graduates. In the words of retired WMU-Cooley Law School President and Dean Don LeDuc, “To my mind, a legal education embracing a strong culture of diversity, practice preparation, and giving to others is exactly the kind of education that cultivates the kind of diverse thinkers and leaders we need as lawyers − people who truly reflect the society in which we live, embrace and celebrate individual differences, and pursue equal justice under law.”
Listen to WMU-Cooley graduate and recent commencement speaker Joy Fossel, of cousel, Varnum Attorneys at Law, explain the critical importance of diversity in law school, in our legal community, and in our society. She describes her pride in the law school's efforts to cultivate diversity.
Our Values
WMU-Cooley Law School is a collaborative community of students, staff, faculty, administration, and alumni who work together to create an educational experience that transforms students into respected members of the legal profession. Our WMU-Cooley Community reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live, study, and work.
As members of the WMU-Cooley Community:
- We embrace and encourage opportunity, inclusivity, fairness, and equality.
- We approach challenges with creativity and a commitment to innovation.
- We foster respect, tolerance, collegiality, open communication, and collaboration.
- We strengthen society through leadership, service, and dedication to the rule of law.
- We operate as a unified law school with multiple campuses.
A Learning Environment with Many Perspectives
WMU-Cooley Ranks 20th in Number of Women
Enrolled in Law School - Enjuris
WMU-Cooley Named Top 10 Law School
for Ethnic Enrollment - Enjuris
