Ms. Cooley, a native of New Jersey, received a Bachelor of Science degree (1974) and Master of Arts degree (1980) from Taylor University and Ball State University, respectively. In 1992, she graduated cum laude from the Indiana University School of Law, where she was an Article Editor for the Indiana Law Review, a member of the Moot Court Society, and a member of the Order of the Barristers. From 1992 to 1994, Ms. Cooley was a law clerk to the Honorable Patrick D. Sullivan, Indiana Court of Appeals.
Ms. Cooley's practice focuses upon business and commercial litigation, employment law, and mental health law. She represents clients in state and federal courts, including the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, and before various federal, state, and local administrative bodies. Ms. Cooley has also prosecuted and defended clients before arbitration panels of the National Association of Securities Dealers. In addition to her civil litigation practice, Ms. Cooley also assists the firm's clients with pre-nuptial agreements, adoptions, and guardianships.
Ms. Cooley's experience in employment law includes litigating cases in federal and state courts, defending clients before city and county EEO agencies, and advising companies on developing personnel policies and handbooks, terminating employees, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. She is a presenter at seminars discussing FMLA issues, access to employee records, and general personnel matters. Ms. Cooley also provides legal assistance to members of a state-wide professional organization on matters of contract law, employee benefits, and due process.
Ms. Cooley is currently the Chair of Krieg DeVault's Diversity Committee. The Diversity Committee is responsible for formulating and implementing firm-wide diversity initiatives designed to promote the Firm's commitment to embracing and fostering diversity in the workplace. Previously, Ms. Cooley served on the firm's Recruiting and Associate Committees.
The area of mental health law is of particular interest to Ms. Cooley, who served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Marion County, Indiana. She has represented various health facilities in obtaining mental health commitments, guardianships, and infectious disease confinement orders.
Ms. Cooley is licensed to practice in Indiana and has been admitted to practice before Indiana's state and federal courts, the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. As a former board member of Girls, Incorporated of Indianapolis, Ms. Cooley worked with this youth serving organization as the Chair of the Personnel Committee and a member of the Small Business Marketing Team.
