John's practice emphasizes the representation of executives, employees and small businesses in employment law matters, including advice and counsel regarding workplace issues; drafting, review and negotiation of severance agreements, executive contracts and employee handbooks; and litigation arising out of breach of contract, non-competition agreements, workplace assaults, theft of proprietary information, fraud, Family and Medical Leave Act and disability issues, discrimination claims, and Fair Labor Standards Act (overtime pay) disputes. His practice also includes a wide range of other civil litigation matters.
John is a member of the VA, DC, and NY State Bars. He is a former member of the Section Council of the Virginia Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Section and is a former chair of the Fairfax County Bar Association's Employment Law Section. He has served as a mediator for the District of Columbia Superior Court and as a conciliator for the Fairfax County Circuit Court.
Virginia Business magazine named John one of Virginia's "Legal Elite" in its December 2004, 2005 and 2006 editions. "Super Lawyer" magazine selected him as a Super Lawyer in 2006 and 2007, as well as 2011-2019. John was named to the Washington Post's "Top Attorneys" list in the D.C. Metropolitan Area for 2013 and 2014, and to Northern Virginia Magazine's "Top Attorney" list in 2016. John has lectured frequently and published articles on civil litigation and employment law issues.
A native of the Catskill Mountains in New York, Mr. Cook received his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Gettysburg College, where he was selected as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received his J.D. degree from The George Washington University.In addition to his law practice with the firm, for over ten years John served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, where he represented the Braddock District. He chaired the Board's Public Safety Committee. He also served on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board, which he chaired in 2015; the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, where he served as Treasurer; and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, where he chaired the Governance Committee.
John and his family reside in North Springfield in Fairfax County, Virginia. John is a former president of his civic association, PTA Board member, and youth recreational sports coach. He is a member of Burke United Methodist Church, where he has served on the personnel, building, and preschool committees.
