Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney in Tampa, FL

William J. Cook, an attorney of the law firm Barker | Cook, represents clients throughout Florida, including Tampa and surrounding areas, in matters involving commercial and employment disputes, securities litigation, insurance, and personal injury. Mr. Cook's peers have awarded him with the highest possible rating of AV-Preeminent* by Martindale-Hubbell, which speaks to his stellar professional reputation and track record of high moral character.

Mr. Cook attended the Stetson University College of Law where he was actively involved as an editor with the Stetson Law Review. While in school, he also received the American Jurisprudence Book Award in Business Associations and was honored as a finalist in the Scribes National Note and Comment Competition. Serving his internship for U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich of the Middle District of Florida provided him with valuable experience in courtroom procedures.

After graduating cum laude, Mr. Cook became licensed to practice under the Florida Bar in 1993. He is also admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and District of Columbia Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.

Mr. Cook has written several published articles on legal topics such as unfair insider trading and appeals issues. He also co-wrote the Florida Practice Handbook, Damages in 1995 along with the Florida Practice Handbook, Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law in 1998. Topics of other legal articles include the basics of civil litigation, insurance coverage, federal court, Florida civil procedures and expert testimony. Mr. Cook has been asked to speak at a number of professional conferences on topics such as third-party insurance coverage, tort law, class action lawsuits, Federal and Florida civil procedure and Florida legal ethics.

*AV-Preeminent and BV-Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.