Practice areas: Family Law, State, Local & Municipal, Business & Corporate; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 1997
Education: Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
David L. Cook is a seasoned litigator and dedicated public servant at Harris Cook, LLP, in Mansfield, Texas, whose commitment to justice and community stewardship began early. As managing partner of Harris Cook, LLP, he directs the firm’s daily operations while maintaining a thriving practice in family, real estate and business law.
Board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Mr. Cook focuses on complex asset division and contested child custody disputes – often representing business owners navigating sensitive personal and financial stakes. Over the years, he has become one of Tarrant County’s most sought-after family law practitioners.
While still a high school student, Mr. Cook discovered the power of the law to transform lives, and he enthusiastically cultivated a strong desire to serve the public. These early convictions guided his academic path – he earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Stephen F. Austin State University and then studied law at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (now Texas A&M University School of Law), graduating and joining the State Bar of Texas in 1997.
Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Cook’s passion for public service has shaped his community leadership. He served as Mayor of Mansfield from 2008 to 2020, steering initiatives that fostered economic growth and improved quality of life. In 2020, he took his commitment to the legislature, winning election to the Texas House of Representatives. There, he leverages his legal background and experience to craft policies that promote fairness and opportunity across the state.
Mr. Cook’s dual roles as attorney and legislator exemplify his conviction that the practice of law and the pursuit of the public good go hand in hand. His career stands as a testament to the lasting impact one individual can achieve when passion for justice and commitment to community converge.
Practice areas
Family Law, State, Local & Municipal, Business/Corporate, Real Estate: BusinessFocus areas
Adoption, Business Formation and Planning, Business Organizations, Child Support, Condominiums & Cooperatives, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Landlord/Tenant, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Same Sex Family Law, State, Local & Municipal Litigation
- 60% Family Law
- 20% State, Local & Municipal
- 10% Business/Corporate
- 10% Real Estate: Business
First Admitted: 1997, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://www.harriscooklaw.com/lawyers/david-l-cook/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Frederick Douglas Republicans of Tarrant County
- Collaborative Lawyers of Arlington & Mansfield (CALM), Member
- Texas, 1997
- Collaborative Law Institute of Texas, Member
- Reagan Legacy Republican Women, Associate Member
- Arlington Republican Women’s Club, Associate Member
- Arlington Republican Club, Member
- Southeast Republican Club, Vice President
- Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Member
- Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Barrister
- Denton County Bar Association, Member
- Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association, Member
- Arlington Bar Association, Member
- Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Member
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, Member
- Texas House of Representatives, Member, 2021-Present
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 2001
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Univ. of Tex. at Arlington v. Williams, No. 02-12-00425-CV, 2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 3985, 2013 WL 1234878 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Mar. 28, 2013, pet. filed)
- Huntress v. McGrath, 946 S.W.2d 480 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1997) (orig. proceeding)
- Armstrong v. Steppes Apartments, Ltd., 57 S.W.3d 37 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2001, pet. denied) cert. denied, 536 U.S. 951 (2002)
- In re T.D.C., 91 S.W.3d 865 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2002, pet. denied) (op. on reh’g)
- Kuehler v. The Bank, No. 10-03-00162-CV, Tex. App. LEXIS 7262, 2003 WL 21998971 (Tex. App.—Waco Aug. 20, 2003, no pet.) (per curiam) (mem. op.)
- In re. Bowen, No. 02-03-00338-CV, Tex. App. LEXIS 2521, 2004 WL 541174 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Mar. 18, 2004, no pet.)(orig. proceeding) (mem. op.)
- Lee v. Lee, 158 S.W.3d 612 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2005, no pet.)
- In re A.S.M., 172 S.W.3d 710 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2005, no pet.)
- Barron v. Vanier, 190 S.W.3d 841 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006, no pet.)
- Williams v. LifeCare Hosps. of N. Tex., L.P., 207 S.W.3d 828 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006, no pet.)
- Wass v. City of Denton Mun. Ct., No. 02-07-0082-CV, Tex. App. LEXIS 9740, 2007 WL 4371355 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 13, 2007, no pet.) (mem. op.)
- A.J. Morris, M.D., P.A. v. De Lage Landen Fin. Servs., No. 02-06-00430-CV, Tex. App. LEXIS 457, 2009 WL 161065 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Jan. 22, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.)
- In re M.I.L., No. 02-08-00349-CV, Tex. App. LEXIS 4645, 2009 WL 1740066 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Jun. 18, 2009, no pet.) (mem. op.)
- Milner v. Milner, 360 S.W.3d 519 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2010, pet. granted) aff’d in part on other grounds, 361 S.W.3d 615 (Tex. 2012)
- In re. Lewis, 357 S.W.3d 396 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2012) (orig. proceeding)
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Board Certified, Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2008, and Re-Certified, 2013
Pro bono / Community Service
- Mansfield Churches FOR the City
- Mansfield Fire, Select Girls Basketball, Manager, Coach (6+ years)
- Mansfield Youth Basketball, Commissioner, Coach (5+ years)
- Mansfield Soccer Association, Coach (5+ years)
- Tarrant County Speedway Challenge, Participant for the Benefit of Cook Children’s Hospital
- Love Helps Ministries, Organizer
- Mansfield ISD Strategic Planning Committee, Member
- Anderson, Cook, Harris Community Christmas Project, Board of Directors, 2004-Present
- Walk MS: National MS Society Race Participant
- Mansfield Historical Society, Lifetime Member
- Super Bowl XLV Host Committee, Member
- Run With Heart, Steering Committee Member, Half Marathon Participant
- Co-Authored Strategies for Family Law in Texas: Leading Lawyers on Analyzing Recent Legal Trends, Implementing Creative Strategies, and Overcoming Common Challenges (Inside the Minds), 2014
- Feed the Kids for summer Program, 2014-Present
Educational Background
- Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, Bachelor of Arts, major in Public Administration, and minors in Management & Administrative Law, 1992
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Guest Speaker, New Frontiers in Marital Property Law, 2011
- Mayor, Presentations, Municipal, 2008 - Present
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society
- Pi Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity, Vice President
- Dean’s List for Five Semesters
- Order of Omega National Greek Honor Society
Honors
- 40 Under 40 Award Recipient, Fort Worth Business Press, 2011
- Best Attorney, Mansfield News Mirror, 2010 – 2017
- Tarrant County Mayor’s Council, 2008-Present
- Mayor, City of Mansfield, 2008-Present
- Richard Gershon Leadership Award, 2011
- Salvation Army North Texas Youth Education Town, Advisory Council
- Salvation Army Advisory Council, Chairman
- Texas Top AV Rated Lawyer – Martindale Hubbell, 2013-2017
- Texas Top Rated Lawyers – ALM, Martindale-Hubble, 2013-2016
- Texas Top Attorney – Legal Leaders Top Rated Lawyers, 2013, 2014
- Southeast Tarrant Transportation Partnership, Chairman, Vice Chairman, & Board of Directors, 2013-Present
- SD10 and State Delegate, 2011, 2014, 2016
- Delegate at Republican Senate District 10 and State Conventions, Credentials Committee (2014), 2010-Present
- Best Local Government Official, Mansfield News Mirror, 2015-2017
- Best of Readers’ Choice, Living Magazine, 2016, 2017
- Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers-Martindale-Hubble, 2013 -2017
- Top Attorney, Fort Worth Texas Magazine, 2009 – 2017
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2023
Certificates and credentials
Family Law