Ronald J. Cook
Ronald J. Cook is a business and insurance coverage litigator with 36+ years of experience, the last 30 of which he spent as a litigator/counselor with Willoughby, Stuart, Bening & Cook. Mr. Cook frequently represents parties in first-party property claims, business and real estate disputes and construction. Mr. Cook also works as a mediator where he helps parties quickly and efficiently settle all types of civil litigation disputes where insurance is frequently the difference between making a deal or walking away empty handed.
Having represented both plaintiffs and defendants, Mr. Cook has a unique perspective from both sides of the table. In addition to insurance, his practice includes commercial litigation, construction, real estate, personal injury
and landlord-tenant law.
Mr. Cook is also a frequent lecturer on insurance and litigation topics and an active member of the California State Bar, the Santa Clara County Bar Association, the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association, and is the former chair of the Insurance Section of the local bar.
Ron grew up in the Almaden Valley and lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains with his wife and partner of 30 years, Anne. He is an avid mountain biker, skier and hiker and spends far too much time rooting for the 49ers, Giants and Warriors.
Honors & Awards
American Jurisprudence Awards in Commercial Law, Criminal Procedure and Insurance Law, Recipient
The Best Lawyers in America, 2008 – Present
The Best Lawyers in America Insurance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in San Jose, 2015
Northern California Super Lawyer, 2009 – 2010, 2013 – Present
Corporate Counsel, “Top Lawyer”
AV-Rated by Martindale Hubbell
Professional Memberships
California State Bar (since 1985)
Santa Clara County Bar Association
Admitted to the Northern, Central, Southern & Eastern Federal District Courts, as well as well as the 9th and 10th Circuit Courts of Appeal.
Education
J. D., University of Oregon School of Law, 1985
President, Moot Court Board
Extern, Judiciary Committee, Oregon State Legislature, Salem
B.A. History, University of California, San Diego, 1981
Minor: Political Science and Visual Arts