Danielle Copes

Law Success Instructor

Biography

Danielle Copes teaches Legal Communication, Analysis, and Professionalism I and II in the Law Success Program as well as experiential Contract Drafting.  In 2022, she became the first LCAP instructor in St. Mary’s University School of Law’s fully-online JD program.  Her areas of academic and pedagogical interest include student self-assessment, accessibility and universal design, and equity and inclusion.

Before joining the faculty full-time in 2019, Professor Copes worked as a senior associate attorney and then law firm partner focusing on corporate and commercial law matters. She is experienced in state and federal civil litigation and appeals, domestic and international commercial transactions, corporate structuring and governance, multi-national ventures, and state and federal administrative law. Professor Copes has handled cases in a variety of areas, including contracts, business disputes, construction law, fiduciary matters, intellectual property, labor and employment, bankruptcy, insurance defense, and tort claims. She is admitted to practice before the United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Western and Southern Districts of Texas and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Federal Circuits.

While working as a corporate practitioner, Professor Copes served as an adjunct professor of law teaching and coaching international law and appellate advocacy.

A first-generation college student, Professor Copes earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she won numerous honors and awards for her leadership skills and academic excellence. She sharpened her advocacy skills as a national, regional, and state moot court competitor, while serving as a research assistant in the areas of state, federal, and military rules of evidence and military justice. Professor Copes also holds a post-doctorate degree in international and comparative law, graduating at the top of her LL.M. class.

She is a former intern to Judge Emilio M. Garza of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Professor Copes enjoys volunteering with youth sports organizations and children’s health charities. An Ohio native, Professor Copes now resides in Helotes, Texas with her family, including a cat who rules the house, four Pekin ducks, and a variety of aquatic pets.

Publications