Earle C. Cooley
1932 - 2009

Quotes on Earle C. Cooley

"He was a legend. He was in real life what all trial lawyers fantasize they will someday be."

Harry L. Manion III

"Earle set the gold standard for trial lawyers these past 30 years. He was a generous partner and friend."

Patrick T. Jones

"I mourn the death of Earle Cooley - a truly great man, a superb trial lawyer, a thoughtful, imaginative and supportive Trustee of Boston University, and the truest and most loyal friend I have ever had. His death leaves a terrible void not only in the legal and University communities but in my life and the lives of his family and friends."

Dr. John Silber
Boston University President Emeritus

"A brilliant man. One of, if not the greatest advocate of our time. Although gravely ill his fighting spirit was still there when I last saw him a few weeks ago. His influence will live on in a generation of lawyers who had the honor of knowing and working with him. I am one of those lawyers."

Thomas F. Reilly

"Earle was not only a giant in the legal profession and a truly great trial lawyer, but equally as important he was a wonderful human being and a truly wonderful and loyal friend. I miss him already."

Francis X. Bellotti

Earle C. Cooley

Earle C. Cooley was a trial lawyer for forty-nine years. He attended Boston University Law School and graduated in 1957. Mr. Cooley was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and was selected by the faculty as the outstanding member of the 1957 graduating class.

Mr. Cooley taught a course in Trial and Appellate Procedure at Boston University Law School for several years. He served as President of the Boston University Law School Alumni Association from 1971-1972. He was a Trustee of Boston University from 1974-2004, served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1994-2001 and was Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees. He also served twice as the Chairman of Presidential Search Committees at Boston University.

Mr. Cooley served on the Governor's Judicial Nominating Council from January, 1983 through January, 1987 and as a member of the Chief Justice's Commission on the Future of the Massachusetts Courts which commenced in 1992.

Mr. Cooley was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been listed in the book entitled Best Lawyers in America in the categories of Business Litigation, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury.

The partners of CMJ, in honor of their founder, mentor and friend are proud to announce the establishment of the Earle C. Cooley Scholarship Fund. Available through MCLE this fund will be used to help train trial lawyers who represent underpriviledged or traditionally underserved populations. Click here to learn more about this scholarship.

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