Brian Cook

During the 18 years I have practiced law in Southern California, I have principally practiced family law.  I consider family law my specialty.  I have also practiced civil litigation; some on the Plaintiff’s side and some on the Defendant’s side.  Practicing civil litigation has helped my family law practice by causing me to view issues from perspectives outside the family law lens and by increasing my knowledge of varying legal strategies and tactics. While Brian’s Family Law is devoted to the practice of family law, my civil litigation experience provides me with more tools to create unique solutions in your case. In addition to representing parties in family and civil law cases, I am also trained to represent minors and have done so as minor’s counsel.  I also experienced the divorce process as a child firsthand as my parents divorced when I was very young.  Understanding the perspective of a child can facilitate solutions for parents who are struggling to reach an agreement. I can help provide some of that understanding. During my career, I have had the benefit of working for, with and against some extraordinary attorneys, all of whom have helped me craft and fine tune my legal skills and knowledge. I have also had the benefit of working at small and large firms.  Having that experience has provided me with the awareness of how those firms operate differently; both with some pros and cons. After 15 years of working with and for others, all of which were wonderful, I opened Brian’s Family Law at the beginning of 2023.  It was time.  As described in the “Purpose of the Firm” section, my goal is to achieve your goals, limit your costs, and create an environment in which you and the other side end the case communicating more positively than you were at the beginning of the case. In that regard, the clients I want to work with are those who are open to communicating with the other side even if the idea of doing so may cause anxiety.  Being anxious is normal and we would not be human if we didn’t have some anxiety about communicating with a person with whom we are at odds. But, putting in the effort to communicate is worth it.  Indeed, in my opinion, our society would be better if competing sides were more open to speaking productively and with an eye towards solutions rather than conflict.  It is the better path for all.