BRIAN COOK
During the 15 years I have practiced law in Southern California, I have principally practiced family law. I consider family law my specialty. I have also practiced civil litigation; some on the Plaintiff’s side and some on the Defendant’s side. Practicing civil litigation has helped my family law practice by causing me to view issues from perspectives outside the family law lens and by increasing my knowledge of varying legal strategies and tactics. While Brian’s Family Law is devoted to the practice of family law, my civil litigation experience provides me with more tools to create unique solutions in your case.
In addition to representing parties in family and civil law cases, I am also trained to represent minors and have done so as minor’s counsel. I also experienced the divorce process as a child firsthand as my parents divorced when I was very young. Understanding the perspective of a child can facilitate solutions for parents who are struggling to reach an agreement. I can help provide some of that understanding.
During my career, I have had the benefit of working for, with and against some extraordinary attorneys, all of whom have helped me craft and fine tune my legal skills and knowledge. I have also had the benefit of working at small and large firms. Having that experience has provided me with the awareness of how those firms operate differently; both with some pros and cons.
After 15 years of working with and for others, all of which were wonderful, I opened Brian’s Family Law at the beginning of 2023. It was time. As described in the “Purpose of the Firm” section, my goal is to achieve your goals, limit your costs, and create an environment in which you and the other side end the case communicating more positively than you were at the beginning of the case.
In that regard, the clients I want to work with are those who are open to communicating with the other side even if the idea of doing so may cause anxiety. Being anxious is normal and we would not be human if we didn’t have some anxiety about communicating with a person with whom we are at odds. But, putting in the effort to communicate is worth it. Indeed, in my opinion, our society would be better if competing sides were more open to speaking productively and with an eye towards solutions rather than conflict. It is the better path for all.
Conversely, I am not interested in representing clients whose goals are to “win at any cost” or who want to “make the other side pay.” There are many attorneys out there who are eager for that kind of case. I am not one of them.
If you are open to the concepts I have described, I encourage you to contact me to permit us to explore how I can be of service to you. I look forward to speaking with you.
Of Counsel, Brian Cook, specialized in family law and practices in civil litigation. He navigates the complicated and often emotional practices of each with focus and empathy.
Having previously been designated as minor’s counsel, Mr. Cook is particularly sensitive to the needs of children in custody cases. His approach involves more than just an understanding of complex cases—he provides skill and expertise to cost effectively and efficiently bring a case to conclusion first through settlement, and if settlement is unachievable due to the circumstances of the case, through litigation.
Mr. Cook’s attention to the emotional needs of his clients enhances his attention to the legal details of a case. He assesses each case based on the facts presented, the client’s goals, the potential costs of the case and the likelihood of prevailing in court based on those factors. He has a unique ability to see compromise where others see only conflict. His goal is to have a calming presence in law litigation because, as he puts it, “…clients’ emotions run high as a result of experiencing a very difficult circumstance, perhaps the most difficult and emotionally draining situation that they have ever encountered.” It’s no surprise that his clients would describe him as thorough, intelligent and compassionate.
In his free time, Mr. Cook enjoys sports-related activities, reading, movie watching, traveling, and relaxing with friends and family. Through the Village of Promise, he has also funded a foster child’s trip to the Amazon.
My Publications and California Court of Appeal Opinions.
Date
April 17, 2017
- Undergraduate Degree (2000 - 2004): Political Science Major with a Minor in Psychology at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.
- Law Degree (2004 – 2007): Cum Laude from Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon.
