Background
Ms. Cook’s diverse experience in both the public and private sector—having served in key government and private sector positions—enables her to advise clients facing an ever-shifting competitive and regulatory landscape.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Cook was a partner at an Illinois law firm. In addition to advising a company facing simultaneous congressional inquiries, state and federal investigative interest and civil litigation, and providing policy analysis and strategic guidance regarding civil justice reform to a major trade association, she took a lead role in litigating a complex civil litigation suit.
Ms. Cook also served as the Republican Chief Counsel, Supreme Court Nominations, for the Committee on the Judiciary in the United States Senate.
In 2008, Ms. Cook was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate as Assistant Attorney General for Legal Policy, United States Department of Justice. In that role, she served as the primary legal policy advisor to the Attorney General and other senior administration officials. She also held the position of Regulatory Policy Officer, in which she was responsible for all department regulations and the evaluation of potential challenges to regulations promulgated by numerous agencies. During her four years at the department, she spearheaded initiatives and provided advice relating to national security, judicial nominations, DOJ regulations, civil justice, civil rights, violent crime and other issues. Ms. Cook took a lead role in the development of the FBI’s current domestic operating guidelines, the Attorney General Guidelines for Domestic FBI Operations, and played a key role with respect to various legislative initiatives. She also argued on behalf of the United States in two courts of appeals.
Ms. Cook served as a member of the Board of Governance of the Terrorist Screening Center, co-chair of a key subcommittee of the President’s Identity Theft Task Force, and member of numerous additional intra and interagency entities.
Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Ms. Cook was associated with a leading litigation boutique, specializing in constitutional litigation and challenges to government action. She successfully represented major corporations in suits for damages against the United States government, including actions arising from the savings and loan crisis, and numerous other clients on issues ranging from school desegregation to First Amendment rights.
After receiving her legal education from Harvard Law School, Ms. Cook served as a law clerk to the Hon. Laurence H. Silberman of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and to the Hon. Lee H. Rosenthal of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.