Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has appointed Professor Dana Cooley, director of Lubbock Christian University’s (LCU) criminal justice program, as Judge of the 132nd District Court.
“Congratulations to Judge Cooley,” shared LCU Provost Dr. Foy Mills. “We will miss Professor Cooley in her role as program coordinator for Criminal Justice and Law Studies. She has done a wonderful job with our Criminal Justice students and was very involved in development of LCU’s new Law Studies program.”
“I can’t imagine a more perfect appointment for this post than the appointment of Dana Cooley for the 132nd District Court,” her predecessor Ernie Armstrong said. Armstrong swore in Judge Cooley on Friday, January 7.
Professor Cooley’s record as a civil servant spans several decades. After graduation from Texas Tech School of Law school in 1988, she was employed as the Assistant District Attorney for the 132nd Judicial District of the State of Texas which serves Scurry and Borden Counties. She also joined the Rosser and Armstrong law firm in Snyder, Texas at that time. In 1990, she became a partner in the law firm of Rosser, Armstrong, and Cooley.
Then-Texas-Governor George W. Bush appointed her District Attorney for the 132nd District in 1995. In 1996, she was elected to serve as the 132nd District Attorney and served in that capacity for 18 years. She also served as legal counsel to the City of Snyder for 18 years.
During her 25-year career as a prosecutor, she has prosecuted thousands of felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile criminal offenses, and has argued appellate cases before the 11th Court of Appeals and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and a former member of its Grievance Committee and Representation for Those on Death Row Committee. She is a former member of the Texas District & County Attorneys Association and its Publications Committee.
“I could not be more thankful for my time at LCU and the opportunity to work with exceptional faculty and staff dedicated to serving students,” said Cooley. “I will always treasure my friendships and relationships with LCU colleagues, students, and alumni. LCU is a place of extraordinary kinship and cooperation solely directed toward providing a unique caring and enriching experience for our students. I will truly miss LCU but I am looking forward to this exciting new career path and making the most of the opportunities that it brings.”
“Dr. Jill Johnson and Professor Cooley established a transition plan this past fall in the event Professor Cooley was appointed to this judgeship,” explained Dr. Mills. “Professor Cooley will complete her teaching duties remotely this spring as she transitions into her new role.”
Learn more about LCU’s Criminal Justice program, or the Department of Social Work and Criminal Justice.