Areas of Practice
- ENVIRONMENTAL
- GOVERNMENTAL
- Administrative/Government Relations/Land Use
- Utilities & Energy
- LAND USE & ZONING
- UTILITIES & ENERGY
Education
- J.D., The Catholic University of America Law School, 1985
- M.S., George Mason University, 1977
- B.S., George Mason College of the University of Virginia, 1974
Bar Admissions
- Florida
- Michigan
Suite 815
Tallahassee, FL 32301
TEL: 850-412-2005
813-222-6685 (Tampa)
FAX: 850-412-1305
813-314-6985 (Tampa)
Mr. Cooke concentrates his practice in administrative law, including environmental, utility, and land use law. He represents industrial, agricultural, banking, government and developer clients on matters involving clean air; water; wastewater; climate change; utility plant and transmission line siting; electric generating facility, renewable energy, and telecommunications issues.
He has represented clients in connection with long term fuel purchase contracts, utility easements, and other utility and co-generation facility matters. He also has represented Florida citrus processors in connection with environmental matters, and automobile, building products, electronics and other manufacturing companies in various CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA, water, air, and solid waste matters. He advised a U.S. manufacturer regarding environmental requirements applicable to its facilities located in Mexico and, in particular, assisted the company in developing its program for ensuring compliance with RCRA disposal requirements and other transborder issues.
Mr. Cooke previously served as General Counsel for the Florida Public Service Commission in Tallahassee where his responsibilities included conduct of rate cases, rulemaking, enforcement proceedings, and policy decision-making involved with policy issues regarding nuclear facility site cost recovery and renewable energy. From 2003 to 2006, he was the Director of Air Resource Management for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In this position, he managed the air quality program for the State of Florida, interacting with federal and local agencies and overseeing the development of state regulations involving clean air rules, permitting and enforcement matters.
Previously, Mr. Cooke was a shareholder at Carlton Fields, Tampa from 1997 to 2003 and a partner at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, Detroit and Tampa from 1992 to 1997. Prior to joining Honigman Miller, Mr. Cooke served as an environmental attorney in the Office of General Counsel, General Motors Corporation from 1985 to 1992.
Mr. Cooke earned his law degree from The Catholic University of America Law School (J.D., 1985), and graduated from George Mason University (M.S., 1977 and B.S, 1974). He was an Associate Editor of the Catholic University Law Review and published a Note, entitled, "An Evolving Model for Judicial Review of Environmental, Safety and Health Rulemaking: Small Refiners Lead Phase-Down Task Force v. EPA," 33 C.U.L.R. 1027 (1984). While earning his law degree, Mr. Cooke worked as an information policy and legislative specialist for the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration.
He is a member of The Florida Bar and is Board Certified in State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice. He also is a member of the Michigan Bar and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
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Speaking Engagements
- Florida Chamber's 26th Annual Growth Management, Energy, Climate Change and the Environment Short Course
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection Central District's 13th Annual Power Generation Conference