Honors and Awards:

• Highest rating (AV) granted to attorneys from Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Rating Service, meaning John has a reputation among other lawyers and judges as being highly ethical and of very high to pre-eminent legal ability
• Selected for membership in Primerus International
• Designated Legal Counsel for the Transportation Communications International Union (TCIU) (railroad workers’ union)
• Phi Beta Kappa (undergraduate academic honor society) University of California, Berkley Chapter
• Chair of the Railroad Law Section of the AAJ (2008-2009)
• Law clerk to the Honorable Rebecca Beach Smith (currently chief federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division), drafting memoranda, opinions, and orders in civil and criminal cases, 1988

Special Licenses/Certifications:

• John has represented injured persons in federal and state courts, including the Virginia Supreme Court. He has been admitted to practice in U.S. District Courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia and the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appleals.  He has also been admitted to practice law in West Virginia and North Carolina

Bar/Professional Activity:

• American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA).  Railroad Section Executive Committee member and Secretary/Treasurer of the FELA Litigation Group
• Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association.  Past member of the Attorney Referral System Committee
• Virginia Beach Bar Association
• Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.  Membership Committee (2009).  Underinsured Motorist Coverage Law Sub-Committee (2009)
• Co-Chair of Litigation Support Committtee, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2011
• District Governor of the Second District, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2011

Pro bono/Community Service:

• Prior Tidewater Chapter president and Board member of the National Conference for Community and Justice
• Norfolk Academy Alumni Volunteer
• Prior Board member of the Tidewater, Virginia, Southside Jewish Community Center (JCC).
• President of Ohef Sholom Temple Men's Club, Norfolk, VA, 2005-2007.

Scholarly Lectures and Writings:

• Teacher, A Primer on Federal Employers' Liability Act and Railroad Injury Cases, Virginia CLE, 2003
• Teacher, Effectively Using Medical Evidence in Court, National Business Institute, 2006
• Teacher, Motions In Limine and Jury Voir Dire in Injury Cases, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2006
• Teacher, How to Successfully Resolve Automobile Injury Cases, NBI, 2007
• Presenter, FELA Cumulative Trauma Cases, AAJ Railroad Law Section, 2008
• Education Program Planner & Moderator, AAJ Railroad Law Section, American Association of Justice, 2009
• Teacher, Handling a Personal Injury Case: Phone Call to Verdict, Virginia Beach Bar Association, 2009
• Teacher, Handling the Auto Injury Claim, NBI, 2009

Verdicts and Settlements:

• Case # 9 - $400,000 settlement for a woman who lost her life in a Moped accident. She was a passenger on the MoPed and was hit by a car. I obtained co-counsel to assist in this Greenville, SC wrongful death claim. We reached the settlement and were able to secure damages for the victim's family.
• Case #8 - A commercial truck driver in a tractor-trailer rear ended a passenger vehicle on Interstate 64 (I-64) in Norfolk, Virginia (VA). Our client, a 25-year-old man from Portsmouth, VA was trapped in the passenger vehicle and lost his life. The trucker in deposition admitted that he did not see the passenger vehicle until a few seconds before he hit the car. We also established that the story given by the truck driver to the state troopers was inaccurate. The defense argued that the driver caused the crash by going 25 mph on the highway at night without hazards on. An independent witness indicated that the car was going extremely slowly and that he was barely able to avoid hitting it himself. The big rig operator, however, violated several safety rules from the Virginia CDL Manual.  We also uncovered evidence of poorly controlled diabetes which the trucker had failed to adequately treat prior to the crash by not following doctor's orders and not taking his medication properly.  Defendant contested whether the diabetes was a cause of the crash. Outcome: Our client was a gainfully employed and responsible person who voluntarily sent child support to his five-year-old daughter. The economic losses were limited to the likely child support and health insurance benefits through age 22 for the child. This led to a $3.5 million settlement plus the cost of mediation.
• Case #7 - What Happened: Our client was a customer in a Maxway store in Murfreesboro, North Carolina when a metal shelf fell down striking her in the shoulder. The incident was reported to the store’s management immediately. Plaintiff alleged that the shelf was not properly secured. Outcome: $120,000.00 settlement.
• Case #6 - What Happened: Our client, a 43 year old female, was admitted to the hospital for a hysterectomy, but the surgeons and staff completed the procedure leaving a surgical sponge inside her body, which was not discovered for a full six months. Outcome: $425,000.00 Settlement
• Case #5 - What Happened: As often happens in slip and fall cases involving ice, the ice formed what is commonly called "black ice." There was no way for our client to see this danger on the walking area where she had to do her job. Amtrak failed to keep a reasonably safe place to work for this train attendant. The company failed to inspect the area, repair the leak, and/or warn about the danger of the ice that formed. Outcome: Case settled after extensive negotiation with Amtrak about what the claim was worth for approximately $150,000.00.
• Case #4 - What Happened: A Conductor trainee named VW was riding on the side of a railroad car rolling through the Pinners Point Yard in Portsmouth, VA. A hostler truck owned by CSX Intermodal, Inc. pulled onto the track in front of the train. The resulting collision knocked VW off of the side of the car and she hit her back and buttocks on the ballast rock. CSX Intermodal, Inc. is a separate corporate entity different from the VW's railroad employer, CSX Transportation, Inc. VW was treated for a contusion and had low back complaints since the collision date. VW treated primarily with her family doctor, who did refer her for an orthopaedic consult and an MRI. CSX Intermodal argued that there were no objective symptoms after the initial contusion healed. Outcome: A $650,000.00 jury verdict. (Note: the jury verdict was twenty times larger than what the insurer offered just before trial).
• Case #3 What Happened: MACK truck with a trailer and water tank used on a farm collided on a highway with client, KC's, Toyota.  MACK truck had worn and bald tires, but claimed unexpected, sudden emergency, tread separation caused the wreck.  KC's leg was broken in two places and required surgical insertion of a metal rod, as well as a plate and screws. KC also suffered from psychological issues and depression as a result of the crash.  KC, 45, was not able to return to her old job as a worker in a distribution warehouse. Outcome: The jury returned a verdict for $650,000.00 plus interest
• Case #2 - What Happened: Our client was a 32-year-old optician going to pick up her daughter at the time of the accident. It had been raining and the defendant/other vehicle was a woman from North Carolina who was lost and driving on the wrong side of the road in our client’s lane. A head-on collision occurred. Our client struck her head on the windshield starring and shattering the glass. She also jammed her foot hard into the brake as she was bracing for the oncoming impact.The client was taken by ambulance to Virginia Beach General emergency Room where she was diagnosed with closed head injury and neck spasm. Outcome:The jury returned a verdict after deliberating for approximately an hour at the very end of the second day of trial. Our client and our law firm showed State Farm that if we were not treated fairly that we were ready, willing and able to take the case to court.  Awarded: $25,000.00
• Case #1 - What Happened: Our client was operating her car on the way to work on Interstate 264 (I-264) when she was hit from behind by a young man’s car. Our client braced herself on the steering wheel because she could tell that the car was going to hit her while she was stopped for backed up traffic. Our client had a shoulder injury which ended up being a torn rotator cuff. The initial MRI on the shoulder did not show the tear and it was not discovered until later during an arthroscopic surgery.  Outcome:  Jury Verdict $50,000.00

Representative Clients:

• Testimonial from a client who was hurt in a car accident: "I was very happy with lawyer John Cooper and his handling my car accident case.  I applied to be John's paralegal in his personal injury law firm some time ago. When I got hurt in a car accident, I knew who I should call. The most important thing with a lawyer is that they provide good communication.  John was always ready to take the phone with me when I needed to talk.  He made me feel comfortable calling him."
• Testimonial from client hurt in a trip and fall accident: "I want to let you know how much I appreciate your hard work on my accident case.  The overall result in terms of money was very good and I appreciate the quick way that you handled the case.  I was impressed by your professional courtesy in always returning phone calls.  I like to deal with people who are honest and who keep their word.  You are that kind of straight shooter.  You always told me exactly what to expect as the insurance claim went forward and made me feel comfortable.  When I need an attorney in northeast North Carolina I am going to call you and I recommend you to anyone else who is seriously hurt because you went the extra mile for me."
• Testimonial from client injured in a car wreck: "I want to thank you for showing so much compassion in the handling of my automobile accident case.  I was in a lot of pain from the wreck physically and emotionally.  You went above and beyond the call of duty for an attorney.  I would certainly recommend anyone I know in Tidewater, Virginia to you for a car wreck injury case.  I appreciate all you have done to help me in handling the lawsuit and getting me through this tough time."
• Client testimonial: "I was afraid and upset due to my injury, but my attorney, John Cooper, generously gave his time and ear to ease me through the process and he was there for me day and night. I will always be grateful to him for that. Thanks again John Cooper and staff."
• Railroad workers on CSX, Amtrak and Norfolk Southern Railway and their families.

Other Outstanding Achievements:

• Received "AV" Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which means John has a reputation among other lawyers and judges as being highly ethical and of being very high, to pre-eminent, in his legal ability. "Superb" rating on Avvo, a prominent legal rating service.

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Educational Background:

• Univerisity of California at Berkeley, BA, 1985
• University of Virginia, School of Law, JD, 1988