If nothing else, know this about David L. Cook: he can organize, communicate and delegate.
He was a youth sports coach, you see.
No one manages kids, parents, schedules, equipment and practices without those valuable skills. And they come in awfully handy in the Mansfield native’s role today as Managing Partner at Harris Cook LLC, overseeing the long-term vision of the fast-growing law firm in North Texas.
In September, the firm opened its newest office in Southlake, enabling an expanded reach that aligns with the vision of Cook and late founder Chris Harris, the former state senator who was his mentor in law and politics.
“We recently welcomed several outstanding attorneys to strengthen and grow our team,” Cook said. “Donna J. Smiedt, formerly of The Family Law Office of Donna J. Smiedt, now leads our Family Law Division, and John A. Clark, formerly of the law firm of Goodman & Clark, has joined us to serve as Of Counsel in the Family Law Division. Southlake attorney, Olivia Sheppard, who brings almost 10 years of experience, has also joined the Harris Cook Family Law Division. They bring more than 10 decades of combined Family Law experience.
“In addition, we are proud to introduce our new Estate Planning attorney, Candace L. Sandifer, who has been practicing in Southlake for the past five years. Sandifer and Sheppard, along with our veteran Business attorney, Marc Stach, are joining together to establish our newest office in Southlake. Other attorneys in the Firm include Probate attorney Lin Morrisett, Real Estate / Business attorney Arin Schall, and Family Law / Business attorney Stefan Brumley. With offices in Mansfield, Arlington, Southlake, and Flower Mound, our mission remains the same—to take on challenges and resolve them to the benefit of our clients. We’re very excited about what lies ahead for Harris Cook.”
Service to clients is important to Harris Cook. Not only that, but service to all people is important to the firm, as it says on its website: “Leaders in the Courtroom. Leaders in the Community.”
Cook sees community service as a calling for himself and, in turn, for the firm. Following his lead, Harris Cook employees can also be found serving on boards and volunteering in community events.
In addition, Cook sets an inspiring pace at the firm and in his public service role, where he represents House District 96 as a State Representative and is currently running for the Texas Senate in Senate District 22.
“I’m one of those people you can count on — I’m always going to show up, I’m going to be prepared, and I want to be successful in whatever I’m doing,” he said. “I don’t necessarily like to say that out loud; I’d rather show people that’s who I am.”
Of course, it’s a lot of work, but Cook is used to juggling responsibilities. Remember, he was a youth coach.
“Organization is key,” he said.
It’s how he made a success of five years as a Mansfield Soccer Association coach, six years as a girls select league basketball coach and five years as a Mansfield Youth Basketball commissioner and coach.
Not to mention his service on the Super Bowl XLV Host Committee, Mansfield Historical Society, the Mansfield ISD Strategic Planning Commission, Love Helps Ministries and more, in addition to professional service on various legal clubs, commissions and boards.
“This guy is a hard worker,” said Daryle Perez, the firm’s marketing director. “When I emcee his birthday party, I tell people, ‘What do you get a guy whose only hobby is work?’ He thrives on hard work. He sets an example for all of us who work in the firm.”
No matter Cook’s path, there will be challenges. But he’s up for challenges. As a former athlete, he doesn’t shy away from the arena. As a runner, he knows what it means to stay in the race until the finish line.
“I played football, basketball and baseball and had some great role models as coaches,” he said. “The competitiveness that you learn as an athlete, for me, definitely carried over. Whether you’re competing in sports or in a business opportunity, or on the Texas House floor, competition is something that drives success. It’s important to have that competitive fire to be successful.”
Harris Cook’s growth reflects the spirit of its leader.
