Fun professor. Very personable and easy-going. Easy grader.

I had Dotson in Grand Rapids for both Torts classes. He is a great teacher - easy going, helpful, and a genuine nice guy. I felt like I learned a lot, so for you other people - put away the cell phone games and computer solitare.

He is the most amazing professor I've had thus far at Cooley. His explanations are coherent and consistent with his teaching style. I would switch into his class if you can.

Makes class interesting but doesn't go into great detail with a lot of the information due to all his stories and pep talks. great guy though.

don't listen to the ratings below. Dotson is more than qualified to be teaching torts 2, he does an amazing job and is so open to helping students. i bet the people who **** would have done better if they weren't screwing around on the internet the whole class. YAY DOTSON!!!

No Comments

Great professor. He doesn't spoon-feed you the answers, but he's interested in helping you learn & teaching you to "think like a lawyer." I learned more from him about how to think than other teachers. He also gives you a really good idea of what to expect on the exam & if you give a reasoned answer, you should do fine.

Teaches different material to different sections, but makes an incredible effort to make sure students understand, but makes things more difficult than they need to be.

Dotson is a great Prof. His lectures are some of the best in law school. He doesn't make you read any dissents,notes, or comments in the text either. He goes over what you need to know in class. Must learn the law the way he teaches it though which means effective note taking in class, no outside supplements required. Told us what would be on exam.

Spring 06 (B) He wants detail. He tells you what to know. Example: MUST know rational- ie why court follows a particular doctrine. If you know WHY youll be good. If he offers a Q&A go to it. He gives pep talks, if you think you think you are too good for a pep talk he will get on your nerves. I like pep talks. MEMORIZE EXAM PACK

His teaching style may be laid back but he still makes you learn the material. His exam was awesome. no long essays just pure short answers. no surprises either. if you ask him a question in class, he wont gice you an answer it but will guide you to the answer. Best prof I've had so far.

Good Prof. He answers questions, but his style is different then most. He challanges you to answer questions on your own through reasoning, as he knows that most questions aren't looking for answers but rather assurances. Pay attention in class. His intent is to teach you how to argue, not teach you what is right and wrong. Arguing is lawyering.

Kinda has his own version of the law, very helpful, fun, and exam is what he says it will be

Great professor, just pay attention in class and you shouldn't have a problem. Very nice guy and helpful. Answers questions in class (in a roundabout way) He even tries to answer questions from students who clearly don't have a clue.

Without a doubt one of the BEST PROFESSORS I HAVE EVER HAD!

At first he seems like a really great guy. Then around week 10 or so he starts to play little games with you when you ask questions. So, when it's getting near finals, don't expect him to give you straight answers on anything you ask--just hope you have good notes and go to the TA sessions-they are somewhat helpful.

Awesome professor!!! Don't be lazy, and remember to use common sense. As he says, "it is what it is." Don't try to make new law, just go by what he says. Do your work, pay attention, use some common sense, and you will do fine. Nice, plesant, down-to-eath professor!! We need more like him!

EXTREMELY FAIR EXAM. The essays were basically knowing the law and making your argument what which is law is all about! He's very good at explaining the law but I think some students cannot see the big picture and want everything handed to them which is why they don't like him.

Don't know how anybody could not like this man. Maybe he has lightened up a bit since some of you had him, but he is the absolute man. Made class interesting. Showed tv shows. Had QnA every week, and pretty much let us know what we had to know for the final. Which was very straightforward. I will take Prof D for any class I could.

Good. does not call on anyone unless no one raises their hand. Will meet with you to explain anything. Gives great "life lessons" if you will.

great class, I don't know how he is getting so lowly rated by some of the individuals below (other than if you get a bad grade you are more prone to flame here). every question I had he answered, he covered everything on the test in class, and after it was all said and done I had a pretty strong grasp on torts.

Best Professor at Cooley - hands down. Students do not understand that in the real world the law is not "black and white," it is grey. If the law was black and white, there would be no need for lawyers! Make your argument - that's what lawyers do.

he keeps it real.

If find him a little arrogant and impolite at times. However, he is a good professor overall. The reason his class is confusing is because a few students constantly ask the most ridiculous questions which confuse everybody. His final is fair. I studied hard, but did get an A in the course.

Brilliant, challenging, entertaining and approachable. He is the consummate professor and advisor. No, he's not easy, and yes, he is not above making a fool look like a fool. Very passionate and knowledgeable, extremely fair exam. Take him. You'll be a better lawyer because of him.

I am somewhat baffled by the negative comments being made about Prof. Dotson. He was my Prof. in both Torts 1 and Torts 2, and he knows his stuff. I would not be surprised if those who are making those outrageous claims about Prof. Dotson are just disgruntled students who got low grades.

Prof is engaging in class, very challenging, and truly makes you think on your feet. He is a bit intimidating to some, but I found that having his instruction has enhanced my legal education. Be prepared to think, listen, learn, & absorb. If you can take his course, do so! You will not be sorry! If you "know the law" you will do well!

Very kind man! He's a BOSS!!

Early on he doesn't give out much material aside from reading the book; by the end it all falls into place. His background would excuse him if he chose to be arrogant, but he's actually very approachable and is a great guy who truly wants his students to succeed. He gets you to think like a lawyer, and I appreciated his sense of humor too.

Great professor. Really gets you to think like a lawyer. Tests are good and very argumentative, just what is needed. Should get him if possible.

Dotson is a genius. Knowing the text matters, but he will only talk about its application. At first it seems incredibly hard for a 1L course, but you just have to get past that and figure out what he is trying to teach you. Meet with him every chance you get.

Dotson is very misunderstood. He wants everyone to be successful. However, he teaches in an unorthodox way. Most professors lecture and expect you to memorize every concept and rule. Dotson talks you and your classmates through each topic to help you actually understand. Stick with it. He's very smart and cares about your future career.

Having Professor Dotson as an instructor was a game changer for my law school career. He taught us how to effectively and efficiently read cases in order to determine how the law was applied so that we could do the same in subsequent readings and fact patterns. Take him if you want to do law school and not just attend law school.

The lectures are engaging and the professor breaks down complex topics well. Using resources like the textbook and unstuck AI helps study effectively for this class.