Lawrence A. Cooper

Larry been chosen by his peers as one of the Georgia Super Lawyers every year from 2009 to the present.

Family Law/Divorce

Larry has very extensive experience in family law/domestic cases and has been trying domestic/divorce cases since he completed his judicial clerkship in 1977. In divorce cases, Larry strives to provide his clients with effective legal counsel while remaining cost effective. He prides himself on being very available to his clients. He encourages his clients to become involved in their representation in order to develop a solution that will best meet their objectives. Larry understands that divorce is one of the most difficult situations that a person will ever face, and he is devoted to his clients and works diligently to achieve successful results on behalf of his clients. In divorce cases involving custody or visitation, Larry believes the minor children are the most important consideration. He advises parents to carefully consider the impact that the divorce will have on the children involved. He is committed to helping clients develop win-win parenting plans that will be of the most benefit to the parents and, most importantly, the children. Ensuring that children in a divorce case have the means to grow up happy and healthy is a primary goal of Larry’s family law practice. As to the issue of alimony, every case must be analyzed on its own particular merits. Larry is a sympathetic lawyer who understands that circumstances of life change. For example, sometimes it is appropriate to file a child support or alimony modification action when there has been a substantial increase or decrease in the income or financial status of a party. Sometimes a petition to modify custody is in the best interests of the child or children. Larry also handles contempt of court cases and takes those cases very seriously since, for example, a parent behind in child support, alimony, or who has violated the visitation provisions of an order of the court may possibly be incarcerated if adjudged in contempt. Larry has handled high profile divorce and paternity cases, and he strives to keep publicity to a minimum. He has spoken at several national seminars on representing high profile clients in divorce cases.

Prenuptial Agreements

Larry also has extensive experience in drafting prenuptial agreements and speaks at legal seminars on the pitfalls of prenuptial agreement negotiation and drafting. The purpose of a prenuptial agreement is to protect your assets and income in the event of divorce. Before entering into a prenuptial agreement, it is critical that full financial disclosure is made by both parties and there should be no duress. A prenuptial agreement can be found to be unconscionable by a judge and held unenforceable if not handled appropriately.

Personal/Catastrophic Injury/Wrongful Death and Medical Malpractice

Larry’s success in traumatic personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases allows him to be very selective in the cases his practice accepts. All his clients receive the highest level of personal attention. The cases Larry accepts are thoroughly investigated, researched, and prepared. He is passionate about representing individuals who have been injured by negligence or wrongdoing. Larry has over 35 years of experience in representing the victims of negligence and intentional wrongful acts. He is devoted to representing clients devastated by severe brain, spinal cord, burn, and physical injuries. Larry handles personal injury cases, wrongful death cases, amd medical malpractice cases on a contingency basis and there is no fee due until there is a recovery. If necessary due to your injuries, Larry will come to you for an appointment.

Commercial/Business Litigation

Larry has a wide breadth of experience representing individuals and companies in complex business/commercial litigation. He has represented companies and individuals in business matters as a legal advisor and as an advocate in litigation for more than three decades. He understands the business objectives of his clients and his goal is to settle business disputes economically and successfully. He sometimes encourages his clients to consider mediation and arbitration. Being an experienced trial lawyer, Larry is able to make plaintiffs’ breach of contract cases, fraud cases, RICO cases, tortious interference with business relations cases, libel cases, and cases warranting punitive damages come alive for the jury. Larry and his staff carefully analyze the facts and research the law related to each case, and sometimes cases being defended can be resolved on Motion to Dismiss or Motion for Summary Judgment. The attributes Larry, and his partners bring to complex business litigation are preparation, strategy, creativity, knowledge, attention to detail, adaptability, and, with Larry’s more than 35 years of legal experience, how to value the case, when to settle, and when to push to go to trial.

Mediation

Larry is registered as a Neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution in the following categories: Arbitration, General Civil Mediation, and Domestic Relations Mediation. Larry welcomes serving as a mediator in cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, divorce, custody and business litigation. If a case is tried you don’t control the results and the process can be very expensive. If a case is resolved in mediation, this is usually less expensive, less stressful, and quicker than a trial. That is why Larry usually encourage mediation. Mediation early in the process can save a great deal of attorney fees and costs. Also during a mediation, there are ways to explore creative ways to resolve the issues. Keep in mind the client makes the final decision whether or not you settle during mediation. If you can’t settle, the judge or the jury will make the decisions for you.