2022 Hoosier Freedom Honoree
Richard A. Cook
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Richard Cook graduated from Purdue University in 1979 from the Krannert School of Business with a Bachelor of Science Degree in the Economic Honors program. In 1982, he graduated from the Valparaiso University School of Law. While there, Richard received the Vaughn Trial Advocacy Award.
Following law school, Richard began working as a law clerk for the Honorable Andrew P. Rodovich, who served as a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana in Hammond, Lake County Indiana. Following his service as a law clerk, Richard work as a Deputy Prosecutor for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. |
From there, Rich went on to serve as a federal prosecutor as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana in South Bend, Indiana Division. While with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he earned a number of commendations for work as a federal prosecutor. These commendations included a personal letter of commendation from the United States Attorney General Dick Thornburg and Special Award from the Post Master General for prosecuting an elaborate altered postal money order scheme.
After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office in 1989, Richard spent the next 33 years doing primarily civil defense and plaintiff’s work in a wide range of areas.
Richard is admitted to practice in all Indiana courts. He is a member of the American Bar Association and its Litigation Section, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. Rich currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Trial Lawyers and is a member of the American College of Trial Attorneys.
Richard was honored in 2019 as the ITLA Consumer Advocate of the Year for his trial and appellate work in Amber Hamilton v. Steak ‘N Shake. Richard is listed in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. He is AV rated by my legal peers through Martindale-Hubbell.
Richard has written and lectured on trial advocacy matters over the years of practice and he maintains a blog addressing such topics called the Barrister’s Toolbox. (https://the-barristers-toolbox.com/).
Richard has served as lead counsel in a number of matters that have successfully resulted in significant verdicts and settlements including an eight-figure jury verdict against a Fortune 500 energy company.
Hoosier Freedom Award Criteria
An individual or organization whose efforts, courage, litigation or innovative work result in the creation of a more just society.
Rich's Nomination
Submitted by Steven Langer
I nominate Richard Cook for the 2022 Hoosier Freedom Award for his effort in creating a more just society by demonstrating tenacity and persistence in the case of Clark v. Mattar, MD, 148 NE3d 988 (Ind 2020).
Rich tried this malpractice case to jury after the patient died from complications of bariatric surgery. Defense verdict; Rich appealed the defense judgment arguing that his challenge for cause of a juror was improperly denied. The Supreme Court agreed with Rich and fine tuned the law on challenges for cause.
Rich tried the case again. On 12/17/21, another defense verdict. The case is on appeal again. Rich deserves the Hoosier Freedom Award for demonstrating his persistence and devotion to his client in helping to create a more just society for all of our clients.
Rich tried this malpractice case to jury after the patient died from complications of bariatric surgery. Defense verdict; Rich appealed the defense judgment arguing that his challenge for cause of a juror was improperly denied. The Supreme Court agreed with Rich and fine tuned the law on challenges for cause.
Rich tried the case again. On 12/17/21, another defense verdict. The case is on appeal again. Rich deserves the Hoosier Freedom Award for demonstrating his persistence and devotion to his client in helping to create a more just society for all of our clients.