Cooley Law School
Cooley Law School is an ABA-accredited, independent non-profit law school founded in 1972, offering a J.D. degree through full-time, part-time, evening, weekend, and 24-month accelerated formats at campuses in Lansing, MI and Tampa, FL, with the Cooley Innocence Project as a signature experiential program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersLansing, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Cooley Law School does
Cooley Law School is an independent, private, non-profit, ABA-accredited law school founded in 1972 and headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. It offers a single Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree product delivered across five scheduling formats — full-time, part-time, evening, weekend, and a 24-month accelerated program — at campuses in Lansing, MI and Tampa, FL, with an additional Grand Rapids teaching location. The school serves prospective law students broadly, with explicit positioning around working professionals, military-affiliated students, career-changers, and social-justice-minded applicants. Differentiated experiential offerings include the Cooley Innocence Project (Michigan's only post-conviction DNA innocence organization, established 2001), Social Justice and Community Service Clinics, Externships, Moot Court Competitions, and Simulation Courses. A 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a student body that is 36% students of color underpin its stated equal-access mission.
The core technology is fundamentally pedagogical rather than software-based: ABA accreditation (required for bar eligibility in most U.S. states) is the foundational regulatory credential, and the school's technical differentiation rests on experiential learning infrastructure — case-screening systems within the Innocence Project (6,000+ cases screened since 2001, 10 exonerations directly attributed, 16 total individuals helped), faculty expertise (including a Harvard University Press-recognized 'best law teacher'), and a behavioral-science research collaboration with Western Michigan University's Instructional Design Research Lab supporting evidence-based teaching methods. There is no proprietary software platform, API, or mobile app disclosed.
The business model is tuition-driven at its core, supplemented by philanthropic revenue. As a non-profit, Cooley generates the bulk of operating revenue through tuition and fees for J.D. enrollment, with scholarships ranging from 10% to 100% of tuition used as both a financial-aid mechanism and a recruitment tool. Secondary revenue streams include alumni donations (e.g., the 35th Annual Cooley Golf Classic benefiting the Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund) and event sponsorships (e.g., the Cooley Innocence Project 25th Anniversary Gala with tiered sponsorships up to $10,000). Distribution is direct-to-consumer: rolling admissions with two entry terms (January and September), applied through an online portal, marketed via the school's website, blog, news room, and organic social channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X). No tuition pricing is publicly disclosed.
Cooley Law School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cooley Law School
- Legal name
- Cooley Law School
- Website
- https://cooley.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Cooley Law School is an ABA-accredited, independent non-profit law school founded in 1972, offering a J.D. degree through full-time, part-time, evening, weekend, and 24-month accelerated formats at campuses in Lansing, MI and Tampa, FL, with the Cooley Innocence Project as a signature experiential program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cooley Law School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Legal Education (Professional Law School)
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Legal Services (8111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- ABA-Accredited JD-Granting Law Schools (EDAHAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Clinical Legal Education & Legal Aid Clinics (Law School–Run) (EDAHAIAG), Online / Hybrid Law Schools & Programs (EDAHAIAE)
Keywords
Where Cooley Law School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lansing
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Cooley Law School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: As a private, non-profit law school, Cooley generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees from J.D. degree programs.
- Alumni Donations and Fundraising: The school conducts annual fundraising events including the Cooley Golf Classic (35th Annual) which benefits the Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund, supporting students pursuing legal education.
- Event Sponsorships: The Cooley Innocence Project 25th Anniversary Gala offers sponsorship opportunities at various tiers (Title Sponsor $10,000, various hole and event sponsorships) to support the project's work.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Cooley Law School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cooley Law School delivers an ABA-accredited Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree through multiple study formats—full-time, part-time, evening, weekend, and a 24-month accelerated option—across campuses in Lansing, Michigan and Tampa Bay, Florida. The academic experience is anchored by experiential learning offerings including the Cooley Innocence Project, social justice and community service clinics, externships, moot court competitions, and simulation courses. Tuition is supported by 10% to 100% scholarships, and the institution is accredited by the American Bar Association and the Higher Learning Commission.
Product overview
Cooley Law School is an independent, private, non-profit educational institution offering a single unified J.D. degree program with multiple delivery formats (full-time, part-time, evening, weekend, and accelerated). The institution supplements its core law degree with experiential learning components including the Cooley Innocence Project (Michigan’s only post-conviction DNA innocence organization), Social Justice Clinics, Community Service Clinics, Externships, Moot Court Competitions, and Simulation Courses. Academic support is provided through the Academic Resource Center and Dean’s Fellow program. The school operates year-round at Michigan (Lansing) and Florida (Tampa Bay) campuses, with scholarship programs supporting tuition costs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cooley Innocence Project: Michigan's only post-conviction DNA innocence organization that provides students hands-on experience working on real wrongful conviction cases. Since 2001, it has screened thousands of cases and helped secure exoneration of 10 wrongfully convicted individuals.
- Cooley Law School Tampa Bay Campus
Products and services
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) Program ABA-accredited law degree program offering full-time, part-time, evening, weekend, and a 24-month accelerated track at the Lansing, Michigan and Tampa Bay, Florida campuses, preparing students for the bar exam and legal practice.
- Cooley Innocence Project Post-conviction DNA innocence organization providing law students hands-on experiential learning by screening applications, investigating facts, conducting interviews, analyzing cases, and representing clients in court; has screened over 6,000 cases and contributed to multiple exonerations.
- Scholarship Programs Tuition scholarships ranging from 10% to 100% awarded to incoming and continuing students based on merit and need, including the Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund.
- Academic Resource Center Academic support services including peer-to-peer mentoring, tutoring, workshops, and the Dean's Fellow program to help students succeed in law school and prepare for the bar exam.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Cooley Law School
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cooley Law School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Cooley Law School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of Michigan Law School Innocence CliniccoreCollaboration on George Calicut Jr. case, where Cooley Innocence Project worked alongside the University of Michigan Law School's Innocence Clinic to secure Calicut's release after 27 years wrongful imprisonment.
- Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at UPenn Carey Law SchoolminorCooley Innocence Project leaders Ann Garant and Marla Mitchell-Cichon presented at the 2024 Spring Symposium discussing collaborations between Innocence Organizations and Conviction Integrity Units.
- U.S. Department of JusticecoreCooley Innocence Project received an Upholding the Rule of Law grant from DOJ in 2021 to review cases in which unreliable forensics played a role in conviction. The grant supports investigation and litigation work.
- Michigan Attorney General's Conviction Integrity UnitcorePartnership since 2018 for DNA and forensic casework review. This collaboration led to Louis Wright's release after 35 years and other exonerations. The Cooley Innocence Project works with the AG's office on post-conviction cases involving unreliable forensics.
- Western Michigan University (WMU)coreThree-year behavioral science research collaboration with WMU's Instructional Design and Management Research Lab directed by Dr. Douglas Johnson. Partnership has spurred teaching reforms and developed evidence-based teaching methods. Includes joint authorship of books on bar-exam preparation and teaching law. Also includes collaboration with WMU medical school for interdisciplinary programs and WMU social work program for Innocence Project investigations.
- Wayne County Conviction Integrity UnitcoreOngoing collaboration on wrongful conviction cases including George Calicut Jr., Dell Crawford, and Duane Williams. The partnership reviews cases where convictions may be questionable and works toward exoneration.
- State Appellate Defender Office (SADO)coreCollaboration on Duane Williams case and other exonerations. SADO and Cooley Innocence Project work together providing investigative resources and drafting motions.
- Warner Norcross + Judd LLPminorPartnership with Grand Rapids law firm to co-host National Wrongful Conviction Day panel discussions featuring exonerees. Community education and awareness initiative.
- Alpena Community CollegeminorPartnership to host panel discussions on wrongful convictions at the community college, spreading awareness about criminal justice issues beyond major cities.
- Gerald R. Ford Presidential MuseumminorCooley Law School provides programming at the museum including leadership and ethics programs, using the mock oval office for educational purposes.
- Riverwalk TheatreminorCollaboration on 'The Exonerated' play talkback events where Cooley Innocence Project staff lead discussions following performances of the production about wrongfully convicted individuals.
- Innocence NetworkcoreAffiliation with international network of innocence organizations. Cooley Innocence Project is Michigan's only post-conviction DNA innocence organization and part of this network credited with over 375 wrongful conviction releases through DNA testing.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cooley Law School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Southwestern Law School: California-based independent ABA-accredited law school with a similarly strong experiential-learning orientation and mission of access; comparable to Cooley in independent/private character and emphasis on part-time/evening programs.
- University of Detroit Mercy School of Law: Michigan-based independent ABA-accredited law school with a similarly mission-oriented focus on access and practical training; a direct peer in Cooley's home state.
- Ave Maria School of Law: Florida-based independent ABA-accredited law school with a values-driven mission; directly comparable as a peer Florida competitor (Cooley faced Ave Maria in the 2026 Orseck Moot Court semifinals) and as an independent, non-university-affiliated school.
- Barry University School of Law (Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law): ABA-accredited Florida law school named as a moot court competitor in the 2026 Orseck Competition; directly comparable in geography, scale, and applicant segment served.
- Florida A&M University College of Law: ABA-accredited Florida law school named as an Orseck Competition opponent; comparable in mission (access and diversity) and Florida applicant market.
- Wayne State University Law School: Detroit-based ABA-accredited Michigan law school; comparable geography and applicant pool, with a broader public-university affiliation that competes for Michigan residents.
- St. Thomas University School of Law: Florida ABA-accredited law school Cooley faced in the Orseck final round; comparable in size, independent/private character, and Florida market positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Michigan State University College of Law: Major public ABA-accredited Michigan law school; competes for the same in-state applicant pool as Cooley but with stronger brand recognition and university backing.
- University of Michigan Law School: Top-tier U.S. law school that also partners with Cooley on innocence work (e.g., George Calicut Jr. case); comparable only as an adjacent Michigan institution but a clear brand benchmark for bar-passage outcomes.
- University of Florida Levin College of Law: Top-ranked Florida public ABA-accredited law school and named Orseck Competition opponent; the dominant incumbent in Florida's legal-education market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cooley Law School social profiles
Digital presenceCooley Law School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Cooley Law School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cooley Law School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Cooley Law School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cooley Law School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cooley Law School
What does Cooley Law School do?
Cooley Law School delivers an ABA-accredited Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree through multiple study formats—full-time, part-time, evening, weekend, and a 24-month accelerated option—across campuses in Lansing, Michigan and Tampa Bay, Florida. The academic experience is anchored by experiential learning offerings including the Cooley Innocence Project, social justice and community service clinics, externships, moot court competitions, and simulation courses. Tuition is supported by 10% to 100% scholarships, and the institution is accredited by the American Bar Association and the Higher Learning Commission.
Is Cooley Law School a public or private company?
Cooley Law School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Cooley Law School founded?
Cooley Law School was founded in 1972.
Where is Cooley Law School based?
Cooley Law School is headquartered in Lansing, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cooley Law School make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are alumni Donations and Fundraising and event Sponsorships.
Who are Cooley Law School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Southwestern Law School, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Ave Maria School of Law, Barry University School of Law (Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law), Florida A&M University College of Law, Wayne State University Law School and St. Thomas University School of Law. Broad incumbents are Michigan State University College of Law, University of Michigan Law School and University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Does Cooley Law School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cooley Law School.
What industry is Cooley Law School in?
Cooley Law School's product category is Legal Education (Professional Law School). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAIAA, ABA-Accredited JD-Granting Law Schools, with a secondary code of EDAHAIAG, Clinical Legal Education & Legal Aid Clinics (Law School–Run). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.