Of future-ready graduates shaping powerful careers and lives. Thinkers and doers. Moving ahead with confidence and pride, forging uncommon paths of success.
This is us.
This is you.
This … is Cooley.
Ours is a story of transformation.
Empowering You With Knowledge, Skills, and Resilience
Through a rewarding and rigorous experience that integrates legal theory and real-world practice, guided by a faculty of accomplished experts and scholars, you’ll be empowered to adapt to professional challenges, persevere, and thrive throughout your legal career.
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We integrate rigorous classroom learning with externships, legal clinics, and opportunities to work alongside practicing attorneys for the most well-rounded law school experience possible.
You will develop the skills you need to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to various legal and business environments.
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We draw our strength from the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as our culture of collaboration.
You will belong to a vibrant community of individuals who come together to challenge, inspire, and support one another, preparing you to succeed in today’s diverse global society.
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We bring an emphasis on emerging fields and new technologies, a newly-designed curriculum, and an extensive and supportive network of alumni achieving success at the highest levels.
You will graduate confident and ready to enter the field with the confidence and resilience it takes to navigate today’s complex, ever-changing legal landscapes.
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We designed a J.D. curriculum that integrates the most current and emerging areas of study, cutting-edge technology, abundant hands-on learning experiences, and Bar Exam preparation.
You will gain a breadth and depth of knowledge along with the practical skills and acumen that will keep you ahead of the curve and set you apart throughout your legal career.
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We offer the same exceptional and proven J.D. curriculum and learning experience from our modern, technologically advanced campuses in Lansing, Michigan, and Tampa, Florida.
You will benefit from either of these two vibrant and diverse communities, with abundant access to federal and state courts, as well as networking with accomplished legal professionals.
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We proudly embrace an uncommon commitment to social justice in everything we do, from our legal clinics for the underserved to the exceptional work of the Cooley Innocence Project.
You will add a rich dimension to your learning experience, broadening your personal and legal perspectives and developing an inner drive to use your talents and legal training to improve lives.
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We are home to a faculty of accomplished legal experts and professors who thrive teaching in our closely-knit community and actively engage their students as supportive mentors.
You will be supported, guided, inspired, and prepared every day by your faculty mentors, who will provide you with real-world expertise and professional connections in the field.
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We offer an externship program consisting of more than 3,000 placements, as well as the Public Defender Clinic, Debt Relief Clinic, Estate Planning Clinic, and the Cooley Innocence Project.
You will develop the real-world perspective and practical, hands-on skills to hit the ground running and enter the field with courage and confidence.
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We deliver exceptional career planning and guidance, Bar Exam skills, networking opportunities, and alumni connections with thousands of successful legal professionals.
You will experience a community that’s wholly dedicated to helping you make the most of your potential and position you for professional success throughout your career.
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We are committed to removing financial barriers and providing hard-working students with the assistance and resources they need to make Cooley’s exceptional experience a reality for them.
You will find a staff of financial aid professionals who are seasoned, supportive, and dedicated to individually guiding you through the financial aid process every step of the way.
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We operate on a rolling admissions model with start dates in September and January, and provide you with personalized assistance and guidance throughout the admissions process.
You will be able to submit your application and, upon acceptance, begin at whichever time of year works best for you, your schedule, and your goals.
3,000+
Cooley’s more than 3,000 externship placements span the U.S. and the world, and will position you to apply your knowledge and develop your skills in meaningful, real-world legal settings.
This is Experience…
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At the heart of Cooley’s mission since its inception has been social justice and providing access to a quality law school experience for underrepresented populations. For James McGrath, Cooley’s President and Dean, it’s a mission that’s only getting stronger. This not only addresses the diversity gap in the practice of law, but also ensures a more equal distribution of legal representation throughout communities that have historically lacked access to high-quality lawyers.
“The practice of law in the U.S. is still one of the least diverse professions. We need to train a student body that reflects the great diversity in our country. Our country and our graduates deserve social justice.”
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For Kyndal Midkiff, an ordinary law school experience was never an option. She wanted a place where there’d be no limits to how far her ambition could take her. In her time at Cooley, Kyndal has served as a judicial intern to a federal court judge, provided legal counsel to real clients through the Debt Relief Clinic, competed with students from other Florida law schools as part of Cooley’s National Moot Court team, and even argued a motion for summary judgment in a real trial before a Hillsborough County Judge.
“The tremendous hands-on experiences I’ve had during my time at Cooley has truly brought my legal education to life. These are experiences that I know will serve me well as I begin my legal career.”
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Cooley’s rigorous learning experience and innovative J.D. curriculum have brought the practice of law to life for Gabriella Loguidice. In one of her courses, she worked with a prominent DUI attorney in Florida, following a real case from inception to trial. She and fellow students drafted motions, argued those motions in mock hearings, and held a full mock trial as the final exam. These immersive experiences have delivered a learning experience Gabriella will draw upon throughout her career.
“The faculty, made up of local attorneys, judges, and other practitioners, are professionals who work in courtrooms every day, offering more than just what’s required to pass the bar. They teach critical thinking and adaptability, equipping us with the tools to excel in the evolving legal landscape.”
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As President of Cooley’s Student Bar Association (SBA), Colby Weron has worked closely with faculty, fellow students, and administrators in their shared commitment to strengthening the School’s inclusive, collaborative environment. While the atmosphere at many other law schools is often more cutthroat in nature, Colby strives to prove that competition and excellence can thrive even more in a supportive, personalized learning community.
“This culture not only strengthens our community but also prepares us for the real-world legal field, where collaboration is key. Cooley’s diverse student body ensures that I learn from different perspectives, making me a more well-rounded and empathetic future attorney.”
2023
In 2023 the Cooley Innocence Project helped exonerate Louis Wright, who spent 35 years wrongfully imprisoned. Since its inception, the Cooley Innocence Project has exonerated eight other individuals in addition to Wright, including Kenneth Wyniemko (2003), Nathanial Hatchett (2008), Donya Davis (2014), LeDura Watkins (2017), Kenneth Nixon (2021), Gilbert Poole (2021), Corey Quentin McCall (2021), and George DeJesus (2022).
This is Impact…
Cooley is a leader in honoring the advancement of women in law, with a remarkable 61% female enrollment, placing us among the top-20 law schools nationwide for female enrollment.
This is Empowerment…
61%
This is Diversity…
19–67
With students ranging in age from 19 to 67, as well as a significant number of military veterans and international students, Cooley embraces diversity and believes in the many ways it enhances and enriches the overall learning experience.
20,000
This is Future-Ready…
Cooley’s more than 20,000 alumni form a powerful, global network of accomplished lawyers, judges, legislators, policy makers, and business professionals who together form a supportive and empowering circle for students and graduates.
This is Opportunity…
100%
Cooley offers scholarship opportunities that award up to 100% of the full-tuition cost, as well as an array of other merit scholarships covering anywhere from 10% to 50% the cost of tuition.
