James Cook Carries Forward a Legacy of Civil Rights Law
James Cook never planned to become a civil rights attorney, but a pivotal call from legendary lawyer John Burris changed the course of his career. Now a leading attorney at Burris Law, Cook litigates cases involving police misconduct, wrongful incarceration, and immigration enforcement while grounding his work in community accountability and civic engagement. From Oakland to Minneapolis, his work reflects a legacy of legal advocacy rooted in protecting lives and defending civil rights.
James Cook didn’t set out to be a civil rights attorney. Fresh out of law school, he imagined a career in securities litigation, even applying to the New York Stock Exchange. But a call from his soon-to-be mentor, legendary civil rights lawyer John Burris, changed everything.
Burris was in the middle of high-profile police misconduct cases in Oakland, including the Rodney King aftermath, and Cook saw an opportunity to litigate in a way that directly impacted communities. “I was gonna go into securities,” Cook recalls. “And then I ended up here, and the rest is history.”
Cook grew up in South Minneapolis, near the Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder office, at the time when the founder Cecil E. Newman’s wife Launa had taken over as publisher and gave him his first job. He says the influence in the community left an impression on him.
“Blackness is in everything I do,” he says. “Even the way I approach these cases … it’s all Black.” That perspective informs his work at Burris Law, where civil rights cases have ranged from police brutality and wrongful incarceration to historic class-action lawsuits.
One case Cook highlights involved officers sending racially charged texts boasting about beating Black men. The lawsuit, filed in the Bay Area, ended with departmental reforms and jail time for officers — a victory that reminded Cook of why he entered the field.
“Anytime I get to wake up and do a deposition, or make a law enforcement officer squirm, that’s success for me,” he says.
Burris Law has always been nimble, pivoting to meet the needs of the community. That adaptability is evident today as the firm addresses new threats: ICE raids and immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. Cook, though not an immigration attorney by training, has become a key player in a legal and humanitarian network supporting those targeted by federal agents.
He describes a surge of calls after the shooting of Renee Good, when ICE began detaining people in under 12 hours. Cook began visiting detention sites, gathering information, and connecting families with resources.
He also partnered with the American Indian Movement and other organizations to protect protesters, provide legal counsel, and ensure basic needs like food and clothing for those in hiding. “This is the heartbeat of the resistance,” he says of the ongoing community response to ICE.
For Cook, the work is a collective effort. “We’re just one aspect,” he explains, “but we make sure the right resources are in place for the people who are being targeted.” Lawyers, nurses, engineers and volunteers converge in an ecosystem of support that extends beyond legal aid to tangible community care.
Even as the firm tackles urgent crises, Cook stresses the importance of civic engagement for long-term justice. Voting, jury duty, and local elections are crucial tools in shaping the outcomes of civil rights litigation.
“If people like us don’t show up, we can’t win these cases,” he notes. “Voting matters. Jury duty matters. Local elections matter. That’s how you get fair consideration in court.”
The legacy of Burris Law informs this work. From representing Rodney King in Los Angeles to defending Tupac Shakur and advising on the George Floyd case, the firm has always combined legal acumen with deep community insight.
Cook sees himself continuing that historical mission: “We’ve been paving the path,” he says. “Now we’re just making sure the next generation is ready for the fight.”
Cook’s commitment extends to every corner of his work, from civil rights litigation to the ICE cases that have dominated recent months. Hundreds of calls come in for assistance daily, and while he wishes the need didn’t exist, he sees his efforts as a necessary defense of his community.
“I hope that there’d be somebody like me trying to get me out if I were in that position,” he says.
The challenges he faces now echo those from decades of civil rights struggle. ICE operations, like past police abuses, test the resilience of communities and demand a coordinated legal and civic response. Cook emphasizes the importance of solidarity across racial and ethnic lines, reflecting the historical and ongoing principle of Burris Law: Adapt to the moment, prioritize the people, and ensure accountability.
Despite the intensity of the work, Cook measures success in concrete ways: the victories in court, the changes in law enforcement practices, and the ability to protect lives. He also sees it in broader terms, like community empowerment and civic engagement.
“This isn’t just about law,” he says. “It’s about people understanding their rights, showing up, and being part of the process.”
As the landscape of civil rights continues to evolve, James Cook and Burris Law remain a testament to the enduring power of legal advocacy rooted in community. From fighting police brutality in the ‘80s and ‘90s to confronting ICE in the 2020s, the firm adapts, pivots, and answers the call of the moment.
In Cook that legacy is alive, proving that civil rights work is never just historical. It is ongoing, urgent, and deeply connected to the communities it serves.
James Cook opens his legal support to those in need. For more information, contact james.cook@johnburrislaw.com.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.