UA Little Rock law professor John Cook remembered following his death

Former Little Rock law professor John Cook has died after a career spanning multiple states. He leaves behind a legacy of dedicated legal instruction that students say will carry on.

Cook taught Research, Writing & Analysis I & II at the William H. Bowen School of Law. His legal career covered decades, taking him from North Dakota to North Carolina and Little Rock.

In 2025, UA Little Rock honored him with a faculty excellence award for rising faculty. He taught many part-time students who balanced full-time jobs.

Former student Jon-Austen Linch said Cook treated every student with total devotion. He stayed at school until 11 p.m. during busy times to meet with pupils.

“Professor Cook’s impact will follow me and every student he taught for the rest of our careers and our lives,” Linch said.

Cook continued teaching during his battle with cancer. He held classes from MD Anderson in Houston.

He was still doing much more than required of him, Linch said. The instructor also checked on former students across recent weeks.

Student Barron Dickson stated that Cook offered to write reference letters for anyone in recent weeks. Dickson believed this showed his condition had worsened.

“If we all cared a little more like Professor Cook, the world would be a much, much better place,” Dickson said.

Classmates held a moment of silence before class. They also filled a group chat with tributes.

The university also praised Cook for working with the Rural Practice Incubator Project. That project works to expand legal services in underserved communities.

Law schools employ instructors to prepare future attorneys for research and courtroom writing. These training programs operate within universities to build practical skills before state bar licensing.

Students in Little Rock now hope Cook’s initiatives will continue after his death.