John C. Cook

John C. Cook
Partner
Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America

Practice Areas:

  • Employment Law
  • Business and Commercial Law
  • Defamation
  • Mediation
  • Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
  • Federal False Claims Act / Qui Tam Actions
  • Labor/Unions

John Cook begins each day with this fundamental thought – what can I do today to make a difference.  He learned long ago that the true reward of a service profession is the difference you make in the lives of others.  That may be helping a client understand a problem or a contract, negotiating the resolution of a dispute, or handling serious litigation in court.  John carried that same sense of purpose through a decade serving as a mediator in the District of Columbia Superior Court and eleven years as a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.  It is the spirit that moves him every day in his practice.

 

John’s practice emphasizes the representation of executives, employees, and small businesses in employment law matters, including advice and counsel regarding workplace issues and a wide range of other civil litigation matters.

 

John began his career in the District of Columbia’s Corporation Counsel’s (now Attorney General’s) office. Since then, he has served as a mediator for the District of Columbia Superior Court and as a conciliator for the Fairfax County Circuit Court, has lectured frequently, and has published articles on civil litigation and employment law issues. 

 

John is a recognized leader in the Virginia Employment Law Bar. He is a former member of the Section Council of the Virginia Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section and is the current co-chair and a former chair of the Fairfax County Bar Association’s Employment Law Section.  He is a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America (“LCA”) and a member of the National Employment Lawyers’ Association (“NELA”). 

 

John’s colleagues agree he is the go-to person for employees. Based on surveys of active Virginia attorneys, Virginia Business magazine named him one of Virginia’s “Legal Elite” in its December 2004, 2005 and 2006 editions. “Super Lawyer” magazine named him to the Super Lawyers® list in 2006 and 2007, as well as 2011-2024. He was named to the Washington Post’s “Top Attorneys” list in the D.C. Metropolitan Area for 2013 and 2014, and to Northern Virginia Magazine’s “Top Attorney” list in 2016, 2022, and 2023. John was named to Washingtonian Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” list for 2023. In 2024, he was ranked by Chambers and Partners for “Virginia Labor and Employment: Mainly Plaintiffs.” John has carried the coveted “AV” rating from MartindaleHubbell © for over 20 years. John has lectured frequently and published articles on civil litigation and employment law issues; he was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Award for 2023 by the National Business Institute.

 

 In addition to his law practice with the firm, John served for over a decade on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, where he chaired the Board’s Public Safety Committee. He also served on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board, which he chaired in 2015; the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, where he served as Treasurer; and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, where he chaired the Governance Committee. John is also a member of the Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute.

Reviews

  • Edith

    I highly recommend anyone with employment issues to Attorney John Cook’s practice. Some of the things noteworthy about Mr. Cook’s practice are the following: The ease of scheduling initial consultation appointment at the office. Mr. Cook is quite an experienced professional who willingly listens to concerns. Mr. Cook is courteous, patient, caring, thorough and listens to concerns with undivided attention. I will definitely use him again if the need arises.

  • Christian

    As a client of John, an esteemed Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America and a dedicated member of the National Employment Lawyers Association, I can confidently say that his expertise in employment law, particularly wrongful termination, is unparalleled. From the onset of my case, John's responsive and clear communication stood out. He possesses a unique ability to translate his vast experience into understandable terms, making complex legal matters accessible and less intimidating.

    The quality of representation I received was nothing short of phenomenal. John's meticulous approach and profound understanding of the law gave me absolute confidence that, had our case gone to trial, victory was certain. Fortunately, under his adept guidance, we achieved our desired outcome without the need for a trial.

    John's professionalism and caring demeanor were evident throughout our interactions. He went beyond merely reviewing the legal aspects of my case; he took the time to understand my emotional state and helped me focus on long-term goals, providing much-needed peace of mind for me and my family. His support staff mirrored his excellence, contributing significantly to the seamless handling of my case.

    I am 100% satisfied with the services received and would recommend John without hesitation. His sensitivity to our needs and his skillful navigation through the legal process not only achieved our goals but did so while minimizing our stress. After retaining John, we could almost forget that we had a legal issue, allowing us to carry on with our lives.

    There's a saying that "the pen is mightier than the sword," but with John, I have no doubt he wouldn't hesitate to swing the saber should the pen fail. His readiness to fiercely advocate on behalf of his clients, while balancing a compassionate understanding of their situations, makes him a remarkable attorney and a true ally in times of need.

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  • Commonwealth of Virginia, 1995
  • District of Columbia, 1990
  • New York, 1989
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 1998
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 1998
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1997
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 1991

  • Certified Mediator for the General District Courts of Virginia, 2021

  • Gettysburg College, Bachelors of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, 1985, Phi Beta Kappa
  • The George Washington University, Juris Doctorate. 1988

Virginia Mediation Network

Member Since: 2022

Board of Directors (2022-Present)

Virginia State Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section 
Member Since: 1998
Section Council (2009-2014)

Fairfax County Bar Association, Employment Law Section
Member Since: 1998
Section Co-Chair (2020-2021) Section Chair (2003-04)

National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
Member Since: 2013

Fairfax County Circuit Court
Former Conciliator

District of Columbia Superior Court, Civil Division Mediator (2001-2013)

  • Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. Board of Directors  (2022-present)
  • Fairfax County Diversion First Program (2016-present)
    • Chair, Stakeholders Group (2020-present)
  • Council to End Domestic Violence, Fairfax County (2013-present)
    • Accountability Workgroup, Chair (2022-Present)
    • Chair (2016-2020)
  • Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Braddock District Supervisor (2009-2019)
    • Chair, Public Safety Committee (2016-2019)
  • Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board (2010-2019)
    • Chair (2015)
  • Northern Virginia Regional Commission (2009-2019)
    • Treasurer (2016-Present)
  • Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (2010-2019)
    • Chair, Governance Committee (2017)
  • INOVA Health Care System
    • Member, Health Care System Board of Trustees (2016-2019)
    • Member, Fairfax Hospital Quality Board (2016-2019)

2023

  • “VA Personal Injury Litigation: Secrets Only the Top Attorneys Know”, National Business Institute 2023

2022

  • “Plaintiff’s Guide: Virginia Personal Injury from Start to Finish”, National Business Institute, September 2022

2020

  • “Me Too: Evidence in Employment Litigation: Pursuing Admission or Exclusion of Propensity Evidence,” Strafford Publications, November 2020
  • “Virginia Employment Law CLE,” Fairfax Bar Association, September 2020
  • “Requirements, Regulations, and Risks Facing Businesses in the Age of COVID,” TIPS II Lead Share Group of the Tysons, August 2020
  • “Worried About Returning to Work in a Coronavirus World?” CCF Ask Us Anything Zoom Community Meeting, June 2020
  • “Update on Employment Law in the Era of COVID-19,” Association of Legal Administrators, Northern Virginia Chapter, Monthly Meeting, June 2020

2019

  • “Employment Law Update,” Association of Legal Administrators, Northern Virginia Chapter, Monthly Meeting, May 2019
  • “Alternative Dispute Resolution” and “Wage and Benefit Issues,” Human Resource Law From Start to Finish, National Business Institute , February 2019

2018

  • “Legal Ethics: Best Practices for Dealing with Clients,” National Business Institute, March 2018

2017

  • “Key Discovery and Evidence Issues in Employment Litigation” and “Employee Benefits Basics,” National Business Institute, September 2017
  • “Plaintiff’s Theory of an Effective Employment Case,” Virginia Continuing Legal Education Annual Employment Law Update, May 2017
  • “Wage and Benefits Issues” and “FMLA and Other Leave Issues,” National Business Institute, February 2017

2015

  • “Admissibility Questions” and “Handling Email, Social Media and Other ESI,” The Rules of Evidence: A Practical Toolkit, National Business Institute, December 2015

2010

  • “Pushing the Envelope: Emerging Plaintiffs’ Theories,” Virginia Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section Conference, October 2010

2009

  • “ADA Amendments: Adjusting to the New Terrain,” Virginia Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section Conference, October 2009

2008

  • “Business and Employment Torts: Just Sue Me,” Virginia Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section Conference, October 2008
  • “Effective Discovery Techniques” and “Working with Expert Witnesses,” National Business Institute, October 2008
  • “Evolving Theories of Recovery,” Virginia CLE Annual Employment Law Update, May 2008

2007

  • “Human Resource Law,” National Business Institute, October 2007
  • “The FMLA from the Perspective of Plaintiff’s Counsel,” Fairfax Bar Association Employment Law Section, May 2007

2006

  • “Small Office Management for the Legal Professional,” National Business Institute, October 2006
  • “Screening Requests For Help With Employment Issues,” Fairfax Pro Bono Program and Employment Law Section, May 2006
  • “Litigation: The Initial Phase,” Virginia CLE Annual Employment Law Update, May 2006

2005

  • “Winning your First Civil Trial in Virginia,” National Business Institute, May 2005

2004

  • “Winning Deposition Strategies,” National Business Institute, 2004

2003

  • “Trying Your First Civil Case in Virginia,” National Business Institute, 2003
  • “Points to Consider in Settling Employment Law Cases,” Virginia CLE Annual Employment Law Update, May 2003

2002

  • “Employment Law Update,” Half Moon Seminars, 2002
  • “Advanced Civil Discovery for the Litigation Paralegal in Virginia,” National Business Institute, 2002

2001

  • “Employment Lawyers Assess the Impact of Reeves Lifeboat or Mirage,” The Journal of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2001

2000

  • “Achieving Settlement and Avoiding Summary Judgment in Employment Law Cases,” Fairfax Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Expo, October 2000
  • “Title VII Filing Deadlines and Exhaustion Requirements Post- Dodge,” Fairfax Bar Association Employment Law Section, March 2000

1998

  • “Indemnification and Additional Insureds” to the commercial claims branch of the CNA Insurance Companies, 1998
  • “Risk Management Issues,” CNA Expo, 1998

  • Chambers and Partners, Ranked for Virginia Labor & Employment: Mainly Plaintiffs, 2024

  • Outstanding Faculty Award- National Business Institute, 2023

  • Washingtonian Magazine “Top Lawyers” List, 2023.

  • Super Lawyers® Magazine- “Super Lawyers®” List, 2006-2007, 2011-2024.
  • Arlington Magazine’s “Top Attorneys” List in Employment (Employees), 2019, 2022, 2023.
  • Northern Virginia Magazine’s “Top Attorneys” List, 2016, 2020-2023.
  • Washington Post’s “Top Attorneys” List in the D.C. Metropolitan Area, 2013-2014.
  • Virginia Business Magazine, Virginia’s “Legal Elite” List, 2004-2006.