Biography

James R. Cooke, Jr.

James R. Cooke, Jr. joined Strother Law Offices in May 2008. Mr. Cooke’s practice focuses on criminal and traffic defense, family law, special education law and civil litigation. Mr. Cooke has practiced law extensively in the Central Virginia area with experience handling legal matters throughout that region. He continues to maintain an office in Palmyra, Virginia to assist clients in the Fluvanna, Louisa, Goochland and Charlottesville areas.

IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR:
For over the past thirteen years, Mr. Cooke has been representing clients in a number of forums. Specifically, he has represented clients in civil and criminal matters in state and federal courts, in administrative forums including the Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Worker’s Compensation Commission, Virginia ABC Board and as counsel for students as a special education advocate in various public schools across Virginia. In these matters, he has effectively represented clients in all phases of trial work; including, investigation of cases, pre-trial discovery and motions, trial litigation and appeals. He recently argued successfully to limit the Virginia Court of Appeal's initial attempt to expand the authority of the government to enter personal residences without a search warrant.

IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR:
Mr. Cooke was contracted to provide legal assistance to the Virginia Department of Education (Special Education Department) initially as a Complaints Specialist and later as a Mediation Consultant (1998-2001). During this employment relationship, he issued Letters of Finding in complex special education complaints that had been lodged with the Virginia Department of Education. His responsibilities in Compliance consisted of investigating complaints against school divisions and rendering a detailed letter setting forth the legal basis for the school division’s compliance with state and federal special education laws.

In his capacity as a Mediation Specialist, Mr. Cooke worked to initiate a new, federally mandated Special Education Mediation System in the State of Virginia. His responsibilities in this capacity consisted of selecting a pool of mediators for service in the Statewide system, training the mediators, presenting educational seminars on the system to lawyers, educators and members of the public across the State and administrating the day-to-day activities of this system.

Education

• J.D., Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, Macon, Georgia, 1994
• B.A., College of William & Mary, Philosophy, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1987 (Varsity Tennis, Co-founder: Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity)
• Workplace Mediation Certificate, The Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, 2000

Publishing & Speaking

• Presenter: Governor’s Conference on Education, “Special Education Mediation in Virginia” January 2002.
• CLE Presenter, Hearing Officer’s Conference, “Special Education Mediation in Virginia” September 1999, March 2000.
• Lecturer: J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, Virginia
  “Claimant’s Perspective on Litigating a Worker’s Compensation Claim” March 1999.
• Author: “Substitute Advance Directives: Should they be used in Eldercare Facilities?” Bioethics Matters, Center for Biomedical Ethics, University of Virginia, January 1996.
• Lecturer: North Georgia College, Dahlonega, Georgia, “Fourth Amendment Issues in the Practice of Criminal Law,” March 1996.

Community

• Mr. Cooke has served both the Charlottesville and Richmond communities as a Literacy Volunteer. He is an Elder at St. Giles Presbyterian Church where he has served on the various committees and as a volunteer for the youth program.