Now kicking off his final year of law school, Matt Cooper is proud to say that his greatest achievement thus far has been cultivating so many friendships among his fellow classmates.
“My favorite thing about the S.J. Quinney College of Law is the small class size and the intimacy that comes with it among classmates,” he says. “Some of my classmates have been the best people I have ever met!”
In fact, Cooper’s interactions with other law students is what sparked his interest in criminal law.
“I really enjoyed spending time with classmates who were interested in criminal law and came to have a lot of respect for them. The people looking to go into the field struck me as very down-to-earth, and I found myself wanting to work alongside or opposite them,” he says. “Although most of my friends gravitate toward criminal defense, I am interested in prosecution because I want to bring a balanced perspective to the role, informed by an appreciation for the defense side of criminal law.”
He’s also gotten to know Utah Law’s community well by participating in the Student Bar Association (SBA) as the 2L representative during the 2025-26 academic year.
“It was a great way to get involved and work on improving school life for our classmates,” he says. “The other students in SBA were super fun and passionate about the school. I hope some of that rubbed off onto me!”
A Salt Lake City native, Cooper attended the University of Utah and earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental and sustainability studies. He decided his next step would be law school.
“At a time when I felt uncertain about my career path, the versatility of a JD degree offered me the opportunity to explore a wide range of meaningful work,” he says.
Since day one, there’s been no regrets. He says every class has been outstanding.
“Professor Teneille Brown taught my first-ever law school class. Immediately, she made me and my classmates feel like we belonged there and had nothing to be afraid of while also providing excellent instruction,” he says.
During his 1L and 2L summers, Cooper enjoyed working for the Department of Environmental Quality at the Utah Attorney General’s Office.
“I had the opportunity to do a wide variety of work, including legal research on environmental regulations and law, drafting legal memoranda, and analyzing agency authority,” he says. “I love that office and the people that comprise it so dearly!”
Cooper will graduate with the class of 2027 and looks forward to his upcoming career.
“I hope to pursue a career as a criminal prosecutor who approaches each case with empathy, sound judgment, and a commitment to justice,” he says. “I want to be someone who recognizes that the goal of prosecution is not simply to secure convictions, but to pursue fair and just outcomes for victims, defendants, and the community.”