Stephen R. Cook
Member

Email: scook@rusmiliband.com
Tel: (949) 752-7100

Education:
Brigham Young University (BA, 1995)
American University, Washington College of Law (JD, 1999)
Managing Editor, American University Law Review (1998-1999)

Stephen R. Cook, a member of the Firm, focuses his practice on complex business litigation and white-collar criminal defense. He has represented clients in federal and state courts throughout the United States on a broad spectrum of issues, including contract disputes, business torts, price fixing, trade secrets, RICO, unfair and deceptive trade practices, defamation, fraud, and distributor terminations.

Prior to joining Rus, Miliband & Smith, Mr. Cook was a partner at an international law firm where he represented national and international companies in complex commercial and antitrust disputes. Mr. Cook also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of California where he tried numerous cases to verdict in federal court, conducted grand jury investigations and handled appeals. He was also a member of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force responsible for investigating and prosecuting threats of terrorist activity, complex frauds, and money laundering activities.

Sample Representation:
United States v. Holmes. Lead trial counsel for U.S. Marine charged with murdering an Iraqi soldier while serving in Fallujah, Iraq. Obtained an acquittal on the murder charge and a sentence of "no confinement" on lesser related charges after a two-week General Court Martial. The case received extensive media coverage, including "The War Comes Home," American Lawyer (July 1, 2008) and "Marine Not Guilty of Most Serious Charge," Los Angeles Times (Dec. 13, 2007).

Maris Distributing Co. v. Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Successfully defended Anheuser-Busch in a jury trial against claims that its distribution agreement violated the Sherman Act by prohibiting public ownership of wholesalers. Affirmed by the Eleventh Circuit.

Foster Poultry Farms v. City of Livingston. Obtained a preliminary injunction against Livingston after it threatened to shut down the company's primary facility for alleged regulatory violations.

Articles & Publications:
"Tough Love in the District: Management Reform Under the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act," American University Law Review Vol. 47, No. 4 (Feb. 1998)