Over the course of his 50-year career, Justice Cook has held just about every position an attorney can hold – city attorney, plaintiff’s lawyer, law professor, trial judge, and even Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
The breadth and depth of his experience affords him not only an unparalleled understanding of Alabama law, but also a strong sense of empathy for the struggles and hardships of those dealing with the legal system at every level.
Growing up in Birmingham, Justice Cook recalls the early years of “old Alabama” when times in the state were much different, especially for African-Americans. His vision to affect change in Alabama was the catalyst for attending law school.
After graduating from Howard University School of Law, Justice Cook embarked on a decades-spanning career that lent him extensive experience in a wide variety of areas of the law. He has taught as a law professor at a number of schools in Alabama and California, and served as the Dean of Miles Law School for over 20 years. He has worked as an assistant district attorney in Bessemer, the city attorney for Birmingham, and a plaintiff’s attorney at Hare Wynn since 2001.
Perhaps the most instructive period of Justice Cook’s career was his 24 years of judicial service. From his appointment to the Bessemer Division of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in 1981, Justice Cook continued to rise up the ladder of the Alabama judiciary until his eventual election to the Supreme Court of Alabama in 1994.
Especially during his time as a judge, Justice Cook witnessed people experiencing hardship, devastation, and loss. Through it all, his focus has remained clear: he is dedicated to improving the lives of his clients by providing the legal guidance and support they need during some of their most challenging experiences.
Justice Cook is also passionate about giving back to his community. A lifelong advocate for service, he has been actively involved in numerous civic and professional organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the Salvation Army.
Outside of the office, Justice Cook enjoys traveling, gardening, and fishing with his wife, Charlsie. They have three children and are proud members of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
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