Hal Cook
About
Attorney Hal Cook is the managing partner of Cook & Cossio, a nationally recognized multi-state personal injury law firm with its principal office in Little Rock, Arkansas. Along with partner Whitney Cossio, the law firm focuses on complex litigation of negligent/inadequate premises security and medical malpractice cases. Hal has been retained by law firms in seventeen states regarding expert case consulting and litigation trial support in complex and multifaceted negligent premises security cases.
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, Hal was awarded a Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan University-School of Law in 1994.
Prior to entering private practice, Hal's previous public sector employment includes fifteen (15) years of administrative and management responsibilities as the Assistant Director of Public Safety with Dallas County in Dallas, Texas, and a Chief of Police in Texas. Certified by TCLEOSE, Hal is a graduate of the prestigious Executive Development and Management Programs at the Southern Police Institute-University of Louisville, Kentucky, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In 1991, Hal joined the faculty at Eastfield College - Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Training Center accredited peace officer training academy. 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 include the following subject matters: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design; Security Management; Business Security Risk Assessment; Use of Force; Civil Liability; Civil Rights; Arrest Search and Seizure; Police Negligence and Failure to Protect; Premises Liability; Risk Management, and §1983 Litigation.
Education
- Texas Wesleyan University - School of Law, J.D. 1994
- Dallas Baptist University, MBA
- Kent State University, B.A. 1976
Professional License
- Arkansas State Bar
- Missouri State Bar
- Tennessee State Bar
- Utah State Bar
- District of Columbia Bar
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Tax Court
- District of Columbia - Court of Appeals
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- Immigration and Naturalization Courts
- Board of Appeals for Immigration and Naturalization Service
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Arkansas
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Arkansas
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court – Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court – Western District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court – Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court – Southern District of Texas