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Hal Cook
also known as Harold F Cook Jr
About Hal
Biography
Hal Cook is the Managing Partner of Cook & Cossio, a multi-state personal injury law firm which focus their practice on complex litigation in negligent and inadequate security cases, and medical malpractice cases in Arkansas, Tennessee, Missiouri, Utah, Washington, D.C., including all state and federal courts. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for clients who were victims of crimes, hurt by doctors and nurses, and seriously injured bu the negligence of others.
Born and raised in Ohio, Hal moved to Texas to begin a law enforcement career after graduation from Kent State University in 1976. While completing MBA graduate work at Dallas Baptist University, he pursued a law degree while working full-time with the County of Dallas, Texas. Awarded a Juris Doctor from Texas A&M-School of Law (Texas Wesleyan) in 1994.
Hal entered private practice after retiring from public sector employment in 1998. Hal's previous employment includes fifteen (15) years of administrative and management responsibilities as the Assistant Director of Public Safety with Dallas County in Dallas, Texas, and as a Chief of Police in Texas.
Certified by the State of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education, Hal graduated from the prestigious Executive Development and Management Programs at the Southern Police Institute University of Louisville, Kentucky and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
An experienced lecturer and instructor of criminal justice and security training programs, author of numerous publications and resource materials used by criminal justice, educational, healthcare and security related institutions, Hal has provided both the public and private sector with expert consulting concerning design, development, implementation and needs assessment of security and protective service programs for businesses.
Publications, radio and televison interviews include the following areas: Inadequate Security; Business Liability for Criminal Activity on their Premises; Use of Force, Civil Liability, Civil Rights, Arrest Search and Seizure, Police Negligence and Failure to Protect, Premises Liability, Risk Management, and §1983 Litigation.
Professional Licenses
Arkansas State Bar;
Missouri State Bar;
Tennessee State Bar;
Utah State Bar;
District of Columbia Bar;
United States Supreme Court;
Eight Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Tax Court;
District of Columbia-Courts of Appeals;
Texas Federal District Courts:
United States District Courts; Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts;
Immigration and Naturalization Courts;
Board of Appeals for the Immigration and Naturalization Service;
United States District Court-Eastern District of Arkansas;
United States District Court-Western District of Arkansas;
United States District Court-Western District of Tennessee;
United States District Court-State of Utah;
Associations
Arkansas Bar Association;
Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association;
American Bar Association;
American Association of Justice;
Missouri Bar Association;
Missouri Trial Lawyers Association;
Tennessee Bar Association;
Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association;
District of Columbia Bar Association;
Pulaski County Bar Association;
Dallas Bar Association.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Medical Malpractice
50%
34 years
Personal Injury
50%
34 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 300-350 per hour
Contingency
33%-45%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Colorado for 1 year
State: Colorado
Acquired: 2024
No misconduct found
Licensed in Tennessee for 18 years
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Licensed in Missouri for 19 years
State: Missouri
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 25 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Licensed in Arkansas for 26 years
State: Arkansas
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Licensed in Utah for 21 years
State: Utah
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
Cook & Cossio
620 W. 3rd Street, Suite 404, Little Rock, AR, 72201
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Hal Cook's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 32 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Tasha | March 13, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Life Saver
Hal and his team are amazing!! His firm has handled 2 cases for my family over the last few years. After my daughters first accident I was so lost on what to do, I was referred to Cook Law Firm from a former client and they saved the day. The first case went so well, when my other daughter was hit, t...
Posted by jennifer | February 28, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Will definitely recommend
I have used Hal Cook Law Firm on two separate occasions and they fought on my behind like no other. They are very attentive as to what I needed. I could not of asked for a better team to be on my side.
Posted by anonymous | February 11, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Dishonest & Unprofessional - I strongly recommend you seek another attorney for your legal needs.
We hired Hal Cook and Mr.Polewski regarding a medical malpractice case. Overall, I have a very poor opinion of Mr. Cook based on our experience with him. Over the course of two years while he was on our case, I feel he was dishonest, manipulative, and not only unprofessional but inappropriate. It ...
Posted by anonymous | September 13, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent choice
Mr Cook not only is an articulate attorney but is also kind and patient with his clients. He helped my parents when my sister died in a nursing facility. He made them feel like they weren't alone.
Posted by Latonya | September 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great Lawyer
Harold Cook is representing me in a case right now , I feel that Harold Cook is the man that will get the job done just by his actions and words .
Hal Cook's Lawyer Endorsements
"Hal Cook is an experienced and trusted trial attorney. Any client he represents can expect professionalism and good results."
"I endorse this lawyer. Hal is dedicated, is a hard worker and has always been honest with me in all of our dealings."
"Hal is a highly experienced and skilled attorney. He is aggressive, committed to his clients, and strives for great results. I highly recommend him for personal injury cases."
"I endorse this lawyer. Harold has an excellent reputation in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Harold. Highly respected in the legal community with a strong reputation for client advocacy and dedication."
"Hal Cook is a great lawyer who works tirelessly for his clients."
"I endorse this talented and knowledgeable attorney, who is well-respected in the legal community."
"I endorse Harold. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Cook is a highly experienced and well respected member of the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"Hal is a skilled and enthusiastic lawyer who truly cares about getting the best result he can for his clients. I would recommend Hal without hesitation. -- Joe Byars"
"I endorse this lawyer. Hal is an excellent attorney with decades of experience. He gets results for his clients. I recommend him to all of my clients who have been injured in a car accident."
"Hal Cook has a long record of success in personal injury cases and clients we have referred to Hal have been pleased with the results of their cases."
"I endorse this lawyer. Hal Cook is a respected authority in personal injury matters and provides aggressive representation for his clients. We have worked together on cases, and I look forward to woking with him on future cases."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
Lyndsey Dilks
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Experience
Honors
2021
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Million Dollar Advocate, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2018
Multi-Million Dollar Advocate, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2016
Top 10 Attorney Award, National Academy Of Personal Injury Attorneys
2016
Top 100 Litigation Lawyer, The American Society of Legal Advocates
2015
Million Dollar Advocate, Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2015
Multi-Million Dollar Advocate, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
2013
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2008
Sustaining Member Award, American Trial Lawyers Association
2004
State Legal Counsel, LULAC-Arkansas
2003
Achievement, LULAC-Arkansas
Work Experience
1992 - 2014
Attorney, Cook Law Firm, P. A.
1980 - 1992
Assistant Director, Dallas County Department Public Safety-DCHD
Associations
2012 - Present
National Crime Victim Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
Garland County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Utah State BarMember
2006 - Present
Shelby County Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
Missouri Association of Trial AttorneysMember
2005 - Present
Boone County Bar AssociationMember
2004 - Present
Tennessee Bar AssociationMember
2004 - Present
Missouri State Bar AssociationMember
1999 - Present
Bar Association of the District of ColumbiaMember
1999 - Present
Pulaski County Bar AssociationMember
1998 - Present
Arkansas Bar AssociationCommittee Member
2002 - 2003
American Bar Association, Immigration CommissionMember
2002 - 2004
American Bar Association, Immigration CommissionCommittee Member
1998 - 2013
Arkansas Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
1998 - 2012
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
1992 - 2013
American Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Estate of Kimberly Boyette-Palmer v. Bay Lines, Inc.
Negotiated Settlement
Lillie McMullen v. McHughes Law Firm; CV 14-307 (2014)
Patty Simpson v. Cavalry SPV I, LLC.; 2014 Ark. 363 (2014)
Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed
Michelle Gatewood-Fazier v. Paramount Operations, Inc.
Negotiated Settlement
Cedric Jenkins v. BP Quickstop, Inc.
Mandatory Mediation-Settlement
Premise Liability-Personal Injury
Settled during trial
Vincent Williams v. EZ Mart Stores, Inc.
Settled in 4th day of trial in Federal Court
In Re Amar Trevino v. Kwik Stop, Inc.
Verdict
Education
1992
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1988
Dallas Baptist University
Graduate Program
1979
Tarleton State University
Graduate Program
1976
Kent State University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2015
Pleasant Valley POA II
Condo Owners & Proerty Rights
2014
Community Counseling Annual Meeting
Debt Colletions Update-2014
2013
Quarterly Inservice
Americans with Disabilities Update
2013
Community Credit Counseling Annual Meeting
Debt Collection Violations Overview
2012
Quarterly In-Service
Section 504 Changes in 2012
2004
League of Latin American Citizens
Immigration Reform
2003
LULAC-Arkansas State Convention
Deportation Rights of Detainees
2002
LULAC-Arkansas State Convention
Arkansas Citizens?
Publications
2013
Arkansasans with Disabilities
Updating the ADA
2013
Credit Counseling of Arkansas
FDCPA Violations
2012
How does it Apply Here
Section 504-Rehabilitation Act
2011
Arkansas Career Education-Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Arkansasans with Disability
1992
Eastfield College
Civil Liability for Peace Officers
1990
Eastfield College
Arrest, Search & Seizure
1990
Eastfield College-Criminal Justice
Civil Rights
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Is Motion to Slow Pay my only option?
22 Apr 2014
Q&A
Can a payday loan company file criminal charges against you for none payment? I received a call from American Credit.
03 Apr 2014
Q&A
What does "Correspondence Sent " mean?
03 Apr 2014