Cooley Law School opens $35M facility in Auburn Hills

Demographics were the main factor in Cooley Law School‘s decision to open a third Michigan location in Auburn Hills. “Location is one the five leading factors in law school selection, and Oakland and Macomb Counties were the number one area in the country without a law school” says president and dean Don LeDuc. “Overall metro area demographics are very strong as well. Part of competition is being there when others aren’t.”

Cooley is moving into a building they purchased from Daimler-Chrysler. Renovations will be complete in 2008, at which time construction on an addition will begin. When the addition is complete in January 2009, the existing portion of the building will become a law library. The complete structure will be 133,000 square feet. The total project cost is more than $35 million.

The addition will be built with the goal of LEED certification and will feature a green roof. The renovation will also focus on sustainability, with a reflective roof, energy efficient light bulbs and a LEED-compliant heating system.

Cooley already operates a partner program with Oakland University and will continue to do so. Students that are currently taking classes at OU will move to the Auburn Hills campus in January 2008. “We like to say that we are moving off campus, but not out of the neighborhood,” says LeDuc. “We hope to build on and expand our relationship with Oakland.” Joint degree programs will still be offered and amenities like housing and the recreation center will be available to Cooley students.

Approximately 80 new students will matriculate in January, bringing the total enrollment to about 650.

Initially, the Auburn Hills location will offer the same programs as those offered at the school’s Lansing and Grand Rapids campuses, with the exception of the OU joint business and public administration degrees. LeDuc could see that eventually evolve. “Gradually, the programs in taxation and intellectual property might eventually grow a little more pronounced,” he says. “Because of the building, I could see it head a little bit more in the environmental law area than we have.”