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From the Deans' Suite - 5/14/26 - Celebrating the Strength of Our Alumni

One of the great strengths of CSU Law is our alumni—and nowhere is that more evident than in the work of the Cleveland State University College of Law Alumni Association (CSULAA). This remarkable group of leaders meets monthly out of commitment to one another and to this law school. They organize gatherings that build community, service activities that reflect our mission, and continuing education opportunities that support lifelong learning. Most importantly, they remain deeply engaged with our students and invested in the future of CSU Law.

CSU Law Faculty Co-Author Study Examining Alternative Pathways to the Legal Profession

Kelly R. Johnson - Health Law Fellow, Center for Health Law & Policy

For Kelly Johnson, healthcare has always been a part of life. Growing up surrounded by nurses and medical professionals, she spent her formative years around hospitals, caregivers, and the realities of patient care. That lifelong exposure—combined with more than two decades working in operating rooms—made the move to law school feel less like a career change and more like a natural next step.

From the Deans' Suite - 4/30/26 - You've Still Got This

As exams approach, we want to return to the advice we shared in the fall, not because we assume you forgot it, but because some messages are worth hearing more than once. In law school, timing changes the meaning of advice. What sounded useful in November may land differently in April, and good advice always bears repeating.

We know this stretch can feel heavy. Exams have a way of shrinking your world and, worse, feeling like a verdict on your ability to become a successful lawyer.

They are not. They are a serious part of your legal education, and preparing for them is where a lot of learning happens. But grades are feedback not destiny.

From the Deans' Suite - 4/23/26 - A Stronger Future in Cybersecurity and Privacy

Last Thursday and Friday, April 16 and 17, our College of Law welcomed leaders from across the country for the 11th Annual Cybersecurity & Privacy Protection Conference—a gathering that once again made clear both the urgency of this work and the distinctive role CSU Law plays in shaping it. What began as an ambitious vision has grown into one of the leading cybersecurity and privacy convenings in the Great Lakes region, reflecting the strength of a Center built to bring law, technology, business, and public policy into meaningful conversation.

From the Deans' Suite - 4/17/26 - The Center for Health Law & Policy

Health law is no longer a specialized corner of legal practice — it is one of the most visible places where law, policy, and daily life converge. Questions of access to care, insurance coverage, regulatory oversight, and public trust shape not only the healthcare system, but the lived experiences of individuals and communities across the country. In these times, the need for rigorous, practice-focused health law education has never been greater. The Center for Health Law & Policy exists because of that need—and because the Cleveland State University College of Law is uniquely positioned to meet it.

CSU Law’s Entertainment & Sports Law Association Builds Momentum Through National Competition and Signature Programming

Cleveland State University College of Law’s Entertainment & Sports Law Association (ESLA) continues to expand opportunities for student engagement through national competition and industry-focused programming.

This past year, ESLA members traveled to Tulane University Law School to compete in two national events: the Baseball Arbitration Competition and the Basketball Negotiation Competition. Students showcased their advocacy, analytical, and negotiation skills while engaging with peers from law schools across the country.

Beyond competition, the experience provided valuable exposure to the sports law field, allowing students to deepen their understanding of industry dynamics while building meaningful connections with peers and professionals.

From the Deans' Suite - 4/13/26 - A Historic Week and a Transformational Investment

It has been an extraordinary week here at the College of Law. The highlight, without question, was the press conference announcing a $5 million endowment from the State of Ohio, made possible through the leadership of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. This remarkable investment will allow us to launch a first-of-its-kind prosecutor training program at Cleveland State University College of Law.

Moments like this are rare in the life of a law school.

From the Deans' Suite - 4/2/26 - A Note That Made My Day

A few weeks ago, I received a note that truly made my day.

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office reached out to share how well one of our students, Arwa Elmashae, performed in her first oral argument as a Certified Legal Intern. Through Ohio’s Legal Intern Certificate Program, students can appear in court and handle real matters under attorney supervision—bringing their legal education into direct service of clients and community.

From the Deans' Suite - 3/27/26 - Not Just A Degree

Last Friday evening, one of our alumni stood before a group of admitted students, many of them still deciding whether to come here, and told them that graduating from CSU Law gives you more than just a degree. He had prosecuted cases in Cuyahoga County, sat for fourteen years on the Court of Common Pleas, and then, beginning in 2019, served as a Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. He grew up in Cleveland, attended St. Ignatius, John Carroll, and then CSU Law as an evening student while working full-time. His father, Judge John J. Donnelly, Class of 1968, did the same thing a generation earlier and went on to become Presiding Judge of the Cuyahoga County Probate Court.