Cooley Law And Western Mich Merge Law Schools

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Thomas M. Cooley Law School and Western Michigan University have formally signed an affiliation agreement between the two schools.

Officials, alumni, faculty and students from both schools witnessed the signing Tuesday at Western Michigan's campus in Kalamazoo.

Under the agreement, the private, Lansing-based law school is to be called the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Trustees at Western Michigan University in July approved the agreement.

The schools say they've had a long, collaborative relationship and the move will add Western Michigan to the list of public universities with accredited law schools.

Founded in 1972, Cooley Law School has Michigan campuses in Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor, as well as one in Tampa Bay, Fla.

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