James R. Cooke, Jr.
About
Jim Cooke brings more than thirty years of legal experience to his practice, having represented clients across Virginia in a wide range of matters and settings. After many years in the courtroom, he has intentionally focused his practice on helping clients avoid litigation whenever possible. As an estate planning attorney, Jim is dedicated to developing thoughtful, comprehensive plans that help keep families out of the probate court system while preserving and protecting the inheritances they intend to leave behind. Having witnessed the challenges that can arise from a lack of planning, he approaches each client relationship with a clear focus on prevention, clarity, and long term protection.
His educational and professional background reflects both depth and breadth of experience. Jim graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1987 with a degree in Philosophy before beginning his career in the financial services industry. He later pursued legal studies, completing coursework in Health Law at the University of Houston and International Law through the Marshall Wythe School of Law at William and Mary. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 1994 and became licensed to practice law in Virginia that same year. Following law school, he obtained certification in Workplace Mediation from the Justice Center of Atlanta. Jim has also pursued academic interests in Bioethics through studies at the University of Virginia and the University of Houston, and has been published within the field.
Outside of his legal practice, Jim maintains an active lifestyle centered on sports, music, and the outdoors. He has a long history in tennis, having competed at Randolph Macon College and the College of William and Mary, where he played Number 1 singles and doubles. He went on to coach at both the high school and collegiate levels and served as a teaching professional at various clubs and facilities in Virginia and Georgia. Over time, he has also held state rankings in both tennis and squash. Today, he continues to enjoy squash doubles in the Richmond area, along with golf, disc golf, and mountain biking.
Jim has lived throughout Virginia and holds a deep appreciation for the Blue Ridge Mountains. He and his wife, Angie, have been married for over twenty six years and have three grown children raised in Richmond. Angie serves as Director of Make Studio, a nonprofit ministry of St. Giles Church. When not outdoors or on the court, Jim enjoys playing music, spending time on guitar, bass, and drums, and has performed with praise bands across the Richmond area. He remains active in the legal and nonprofit communities as a member of the Virginia State Bar, participating in the Trusts and Estates section, and serves as Advisory Team Counsel for Make Studio and a Community Partner with the Charlottesville Area Alliance. He is licensed to practice law in Virginia.