By MSU?Law
Frank Aiello, a legal educator and attorney, joined MSU College of Law as Chief of Staff to Dean Linda Sheryl Greene, effective July 25.
In this position, Aiello will be responsible for supporting implementation of Phase One of MSU Law’s Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. He will lead the development of Phase Two of the Strategic Plan and provide leadership and support to staff and administration to optimize its operations.
“Frank is passionate about the role that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion play in the education of future legal scholars,” said Dean Greene. “He brings experience and enthusiasm that will help us achieve our aspiration of being the preeminent law school for the state of Michigan, training diverse lawyers and serving diverse communities.”
Aiello completed his undergraduate studies at MSU’s James Madison College, where he earned a B.A. in Political Economy. He went on to receive a J.D. from Wayne State University where he was a Note and Comment Editor of the Law Review. Early in his legal career, he represented major financial institutions at JaffeRaitt LLP and Bodman LLP, both of which were founded in Detroit.
“I am honored to join the extraordinary leadership at MSU Law,” said Aiello. “Working with Dean Greene and her team is an exciting opportunity to blend two fundamental American rights: education and equity.”
With nearly 17 years of experience in legal higher education, Aiello brings significant organizational expertise to his position. Since 2005, Frank has been affiliated with WMU-Cooley Law School where he served in a leadership role for more than eight years. More recently he has served as Chief of Staff to President and Dean James McGrath.
Among his many accomplishments at Cooley was supporting rehabilitation of the fractured relationship with the ABA Council on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. He helped lead the school’s COVID-19 response, identifying new technologies to support quality remote learning.
“Frank has been critical to WMU-Cooley’s renewed commitment to providing responsible access to a legal education, now embedded in our Strategic Plan,” said Dean McGrath. “I am grateful for his exceptional service at Cooley. All of us here wish him the best in this exciting new opportunity at MSU Law.”
Aiello brings a commitment to intersectional diversity, equity, and inclusion, shaped by his many years of service to LGBTQ+ causes. He is a current member of the board of directors of Stand with Trans, a national organization that supports Trans youth and their loved ones. He is a past member of the board of directors at Affirmations, Michigan's largest LGBTQ+ community center.
