J. Sydney Cook, III

J. Sydney Cook, III received his juris doctorate from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1974 and his master of law degree in taxation from New York University in 1975. He was admitted to the bar in 1974 in Alabama and was licensed to practice before the U.S. Tax Court the following year. He is also admitted to practice before the Northern and Middle federal District Courts and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Cook joined the firm in 1975 and serves as its secretary/treasurer, as well as the president of Guaranty Title, Inc., an affiliated title insurance agency.

Born in Auburn, Alabama, August 17, 1950, Mr. Cook received his bachelor of arts degree in economics in 1971 from Duke University.

He is active in numerous professional organizations, including the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association. Mr. Cook is also a member of the Alabama State Bar’s Tax, Elder Law, Probate and Trust, and Health Law Sections. Other memberships include Farrah Law Society (trustee), Alabama Law Institute (member of council), American Health Lawyers Association (member), Tuscaloosa Estate Planning Council, of which he served as president in 1985, Tuscaloosa Association of Realtors (legal counsel), and Home Builders Association of Tuscaloosa (director).

His community involvement is just as extensive. Mr. Cook has been a member of Tuscaloosa Children’s Center Board of Directors since its creation in 1987. He is also a past member of the board of directors of Friends of WUAL Public Radio. He is a past member of the West Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross Board of Directors and a past member of the board of directors for American Red Cross Blood Services, Alabama Region. Mr. Cook is a member of the Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa (past president), Tuscaloosa Tip-Off Club (past president), and Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.

Mr. Cook is a past member of the board of directors and secretary for the Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa Foundation, past member of the board of directors and president of Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa County, and past president for Tuscaloosa Quarterback Club.

Mr. Cook's areas of practice are:

• Business Law
• Business Transactions
• Real Estate, including residential and commercial
• Estate Administration
• Estate Planning
• Health Care
• Probate
• Taxation
• Elder Law