James R. Cooke, Jr.
About
I have been licensed to practice law in Virginia for over thirty years. During that time, I have represented clients throughout the State in a multitude of legal matters and settings. After many years of courtroom battles I have focused my practice on keeping my clients out of the court system. As an estate planning attorney, my goal is to create an estate plan for you and your family that will not only keep you out of the probate court system but will protect the inheritance you leave to your loved ones. I’ve seen the consequences of not planning and don’t want you or your family to be in that situation.
Education:
I graduated from the College of William & Mary with an undergraduate degree in Philosophy in 1987. After working for several years in the financial services world, I went to law school. During law school I studied Health Law at the University of Houston and International Law through the Marshall Wythe School of Law (William & Mary). I received my J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law (Mercer University) in 1994 and became licensed to practice in Virginia that year. After law school I received a certification in Workplace Mediation from the Justice Center of Atlanta. Additionally, I have a particular interest in Bioethics which I studied at the University of Virginia and the University of Houston and have been published within that discipline.
About Jim Cooke:
Outside of work I enjoy sports, music and the great outdoors! In college, I played tennis at both Randolph Macon College (Number 1 Singles and Doubles) and William and Mary. I’ve coached tennis at both the high school and collegiate levels and been a teaching professional at a number of private clubs and public facilities in both Virginia and Georgia. Over my lifetime, I’ve held state rankings in both tennis and squash. My current sport passion is Squash Doubles which I play as often as possible in the RVA. When not on the court, I also enjoy playing golf, disc golf and mountain biking.
I’ve lived in virtually every part of Virginia and have a deep connection to our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I have been married to my wife Angie for 26 years. Angie is the Director of Make Studio which is a non-profit ministry of St. Giles Church in Richmond. We have three grown children that were all born and raised in Richmond.
If I can’t get outdoors or on an indoor court, I have an equal passion for playing music. While I have no particular expertise on any instrument, I spend a lot of time playing guitar, bass and drums. I’ve played with different praise bands across RVA from the West End to the Southside to Church Hill.
Professional Associations:
- Virginia State Bar
- Trusts & Estates Member, VSB
- Advisory Team Counsel, Make Studio
- Community Partner, Charlottesville Area Alliance
Bar Licenses: Virginia