James H. Cooke Jr.

I hired Mr. Cooke for a Separation/Divorce. We consulted in person one time. Perhaps talked again once or twice over the course of 3 years before Divorce final. I was transferred out of state, and called his cell/emailed him dozens of times during separation issues without a call-back or response. Hi...s one staff person acted in his stead most of the time, and I was billed as if I was talking with him. The worst part was he insisted I was required by law to pay a portion of my civilian fed pension (Not military) to her, for life, which equaled 25% of my monthly payment. He ghosted me and my ex after telling me we had a court date in Fayetteville (I was living out of state). He was a no-show, and didn't even give me an explanation or apology. I found out after I signed the papers, that the federal law he cited on permanent alimony applies to military spouses with military pensions- not my case. So this is a matter I am fighting to rectify legally. What a mess.

I went thru a divorce several years ago and my first attorney of whom I will not mention,(fired him) and was referred to Jim Cooke. this was after several months of dealing with the other one and much disappointment. I had two questions for Jim before I hired him and Im going to be blunt. question 1,... how big are your balls and question 2. can you get my kids back. replies in order, big enough and yes. now at my first appointment with him he was late, when he showed up and told me what my consultation fee was, I replied you make this much a hour and I make this much, you were this much late so I'm deducting my hourly wage from yours and that is what I will write you a check for, he said well that's fair. The process took 3 yrs but I had my kids in less than 3 months and by the time all was said and done. I had my kids and house back. Did I mention, (I' Dad) Jim is the BEST attorney in the area by far, since then I have referred him numerous times and have never had anyone tell me he was anything but awesome, A divorce is never a friendly thing and ladies and gentlemen when you have to get one you want a BULLDOG, and that's Jim Cooke. Had to call on him today for legal advice.

I hired James Cooke in a time of need and therefor was unable to do my research. I wish I had. Mr. Cooke took on my case when he was completely overbooked. Even his receptionist and assistant stated this to me. Mr. Cooke Cancelled 80 % of our meetings after I had already shown up to the meeting. I wo...uld wait over an hour past the meeting time and his assistant would say he went home for the day. He would also be so over booked that on days I would have court Mr. Cooke would have his assisstant call me the day before to tell me Mr. Cooke was cancelling my court date because he would be in court on another case. Mr. Cooke was totally unprepared in my child custody case. My case was a very simple case and Mr. Cooke did not do any research or get any of the documents necessary to win my case. Several times Mr.Cooke went into court completely unprepared for court which would in turn give the opposing parties lawyer the upper hand. Mr .Cooke would then turn around and blame me saying I should have been prepared. However; it was never discussed with me what to bring or how to be prepared. I prepped about 80% of my case with my own prepared documents and reports, all without Mr. Cookes help. Mr. Cooke is also extremely unprofessional. Any time we would have a meeting he would be on the phone making my wife and I wait a long time to talk to him. When we finally talked to him he would cut us off every time we would try to speak and he would only talk about how he was going to win this case because the other attorney looked unattractive, because all the judges loved him and did whatever he said, and other very unprofessional things. Mr. Cooke also several times yelled at my wife or talked bad about my wife to me when she was not in the room. Mr. Cooke will never answer your phone calls or return your calls. He will tell his assistant to tell you he will call you back, but never once in the 1.5 years I worked with him did he call back. Mr. Cooke does not bill you correctly. He wont write up finance statements until the end of the court case which results in over billing charges. He states he is willing to work with you but is nothing but rude and condescending when you discuss the billing. Several times Mr. Cooke would cancel my court dates without my permission and then bill me to cancel the court dates, even though he cancelled the courts dates because he overbooked himself. Finally my biggest issue with Mr. Cooke is he made several decisions in my case without my knowlege. These were things that I did NOT want him to do. Mr. Cooke would go behind my back without my permission and make these decisions that I would find out about after a later date and I was unable to change. Mr. Cooke is completely against everything you want in your lawyer. He will not help you he will hinder you. At a time when you're already stressed and concerned he will make it a million times worse. He charges a very larger retainer fee that is non refundable at any point and it will be a complete waste of your money. At the end of everything you will be wanting to hire a new lawyer. Do not whatever you do Hire this lawyer.

Jim Cooke is an excellent attorney. I have known him professionally and personally for over 21 years. and I am an attorney as well. I have litigated with him, and against him, but he has in fact represented me on civil matters and provided invaluable advice to my staff and me over the years. He ...is dedicated, hard working, and truly cares about all his clients. He has the respect of his peers and the judges alike. He is the type of person who can get along with anyone in any situation, and those qualities are sorely needed in our court system today. Jim starts his day way before other attorneys, usually by 5am if not sooner, I know because I am texting him on cases I have with him. I have seen him assist his clients on the weekends, at night, and on holidays, even giving the clients his private cell number. When I have had client conflicts (meaning we could not represent the potential client because we already represented the opposing side, or perhaps other vaid reasons), we called his office and got that person to see Jim right away. Jim also has the very unique ability to work well even with the most aggressive opposing counsel, and then obtain super results for his client despite the obstacles . I trust Jim,,and in fact have asked Jim to be my minor son's trustee and guardian in the event of my wife's and my death. If I can trust Jim to represent me, and trust JIm with the life of my son , then you can trust him too.