Local iconic attorney, Bobby Lee Cook was featured as one of five legendary Georgia Attorneys who have practiced law for half a century featured in the magazine, Super Lawyer.
In the article titled, A Long Way from the Mole Hole in Super Lawyers magazine, Mr. Cook was asked to discuss the following topics.
Why Law?
Cook: World War II interrupted college- I was a split major in chemistry and Greek classics-and after the war ended, I decided I had to find something to do. It’s not very romantic, but I felt the practice would be a fascinating profession, and it has served me well.
Cook said of starting out: I wanted to practice law in a way where I could go to court and try cases. I found out, to my surprise, that I was in the minority. Most trail lawyers don’t try cases. To me, it’s what the law practice is all about; it’s where the action lies. For the fist 10 or 15 years of my practice, I tried many civil cases. I tried 15 or 16 murder cases in the first 10 years of my practice.
Cook said about civil law: For the first 40 years of my law practice, it was more hospitable. We were much nicer to each other than we are today. If a lawyer called me and said, “I received your complaint in the Jones case and I need 30 more days within which to file. Would you agree to that?” I would say “no problem.” You would not take an order of the court, you would not put anything in writing. It was simply a word-of-mouth proposition.
Cook said about uncivil law: When I started practicing in the state, civil rights was on a virtual holiday. There were no African-Americans on the jury. Women could not serve on the jury until 1954. There was no real Fourth, Fifth or Sixth Amendment rights, as those amendments to the Constitution had not yet been incorporated into the Bill of Rights by virtue of the due process clause. So it was a really bad time. You’d walk into a courthouse in Georgia or Alabama or Tennessee or Mississippi and you would see two drinking fountains, one for “colored,” one for “whites.” African-Americans could not sit in a major courtroom, there were usually balconies where they sat.
Cook said of law school: We had 49 men and one lady [in my class]. She was the smartest one in the school. She later married a classmate and he became, at one point, the Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. She was his law clerk, and over the years everyone agreed she was the smartest one on the bench.
Cook said of his greatest accomplishment: I would consider my greatest accomplishments that I have been given the opportunity to be a member of the bar and to offer my services to literally thousands of people, and to have served them with relative distinction.
On retirement, Cook: I’ve done nothing but practice for almost 70 years and although I have lots of hobbies-I’m a boater, a yachtsman-I would be miserable if I were not practicing law. I still enjoy trying cases. I tried two or three major cases last year.
Successfully, I might add.
Cook’s tenacity and skill as a litigator made him a renowned attorney. His southern charm, style and wit made him a folk legend. As you can tell from his interview, his charisma hasn’t waned in his ninth decade.
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Tammy Lea
February 21, 2019 at 9:00 am
He has definitely been a man who showed not only Chattooga County that Yes, I can, mean I will. As he has the rest of the states. He is a true Southern Gentleman. Still a Nice Looking one as well. Mr. Bobby Lee is a smart man. He has set a fine example for many people to follow. Happy Birthday Mr. Cook. Thank God he made us country and we live in the South! The most beautiful place for me.
Sandra Vaughn
February 21, 2019 at 4:33 pm
One of the best lawyers ive had the pleasure of knowing.
Tony rogers
June 27, 2019 at 9:02 pm
Bobby lee cook great man. Great att.
Cathy
June 27, 2019 at 10:10 pm
He is a great Attorney a wonderful man wish there was more like him!!!
Hope white
June 27, 2019 at 10:25 pm
Congratulations Mr. Cook! I’m so very appreciative of you and your firm for not only representation in the past but for the truely family style care and concern for myself and children during the hardest time and part of my life! My gratitude for upholding the memory of my grandfather and yalls relationship both personal and professional being extended to myself and children is immeasurable as well as a rare trait and quality in these days and time! You have always been my idol, my hero as well as the person I had hoped to be like when I thought I was going to be able to become an attorney before life flipped upside down for me! May the Lord continue to bless you with success, good health and many wonderful days and memories with your family!
Candy Watkins Hatcher
June 28, 2019 at 9:18 pm
Way to go Bobby Lee you are a good man and a great lawyer.
Wanda Carr Green
July 2, 2019 at 3:34 pm
You knew my grandfather Lilburn Carr and my Dad Russell Carr. Have heard many enjoyable stories about you. You helped my Dad find out things about my 2nd husband….sad to say I didnt listen. You are a legend and I am proud to say that I have met you. MAY you continue to have good health and many blessings. Your daughter granted my divorce from the one when I should have taken my Dads and your advice. GOD BLESS YOU.
Sally Harris
July 5, 2019 at 7:07 am
You are awaesome lawyer and if had been able to afford to be lawyer you be my role model