Law school is supposed to be for those who want to dedicate themselves to the law. Instead, some students are more about picking apart certain aspects of a school that prepares students to practice law. Students are supposed to have freedom of speech; however, one student crossed that line when he ruined the reputation of Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
This article explains what’s really going on at Thomas Cooley Law School: Thomas Cooley Law School Exposed (and Why Much of the Legal Profession is a Scam)
A student who went by the Internet alias Rockstar 05 would soon change the world of blogging in a legal manner. The blogger took it upon himself to rip apart Cooley Law School and tell others what he thought.
“The blog was to serve a strong buyer-beware message to students considering Cooley as an option for law school,” Rockstar05 said in an interview withThe National Law Journalthat he granted only on condition of anonymity.”
While the identity of this blogger stays anonymous, many people are out to protect his rights within the first amendment. The “Dendrite International Inc. v. Doe No. 3 for weighing the First Amendment rights of anonymous Internet commenters against the rights of plaintiffs who seek to unmask them”—is a huge topic at this point in the case. Both parties seem to have good points against each other. But in the end who is right?
Rockstar05 has changed schools since all of this has taken off. However, a lot of issues are still at stake with this lawsuit. The derogatory blogger could have issues finding employment if his name is exposed. What may have started out as an innocent way to rip apart a law school-has turned into a full-fledged legal battle that might not go away for a while.
“The bloggers’ statements damage our reputation because today’s law school applicant looks online for information about the law schools he or she may attend,” said Cooley Associate Dean for Legal Affairs and General Counsel James Thelen. “As a law school that emphasizes professionalism and ethics, we are particularly harmed by false statements that are dishonest.”
The Thomas Cooley law school is more concerned about the long term effects of the bloggers harsh words. Cooley Law School is one of the largest in the country and already feels as though this blog has caused a major issue in enrollment.
“Cooley seeks monetary damages, a retraction of the statements and their removal from the Internet, and a court order barring the defendants from any future defamation against the school.”
The school wants what anyone who has been slandered wants—retraction and the truth. The legal issue is that Rockstar05 went above just stating his opinion about the school. However, the blogger is fighting back, which some experts say is unusual.
“It’s very easy to bring a libel suit against someone when you are criticized, if you have the resources,” she said. “The unmasking of anonymity is often enough to chill the speech.”
The Cooley law school is in for a long battle while RockStar05 continues to defend is very outspoken blog.