COOPER HURLEY INJURY LAWYERS - Key Persons
Bailey Gifford joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in late 2020. Born in Nebraska and raised in Kentucky, she graduated with honors from Central Hardin High School.
After high school, Bailey graduated magna cum laude from Morehead State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an emphasis in Business in 2016.
Bailey went on to the Appalachian School of Law, in Grundy, VA, where she obtained her J.D. in 2020. During her time there, she served as president of the Student Bar Association. Bailey also served as a Student Ambassador and participated as a member of both the Mock Trial and Moot Court teams. During law school, Bailey clerked for The Honorable Elizabeth A. McClanahan, formerly of the Supreme Court of Virginia, as well as for a private law firm in Grundy, VA.
Bailey enjoys exploring the Hampton Roads area with her husband, Kaleb. She looks forward to setting down roots in the area and making Virginia home.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Intake Specialist
Bill grew up on Long Island, New York. He spent most of his career in Journalism starting as a Navy Journalist in the 80s. One of his favorite beats as a reporter was the courts and cops beat. Billreturned to college in 2012 and graduated From Reynolds College in Richmond, Virginia with a degree in Paralegal Studies in 2014. He has been working in the legal field ever since and currently serves as Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers' intake specialist.
Bill has recently become a grandfather to a second grandson. The thing he loves most about working at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers is the caring and supportive environment from the top on down. "You feel like family working here," he says.
Bill O'Mara started his legal career in 2008, moving back to his home town of Chesapeake, VA. He has practiced in the field of plaintiffs' personal injury and other litigation. He has gained extensive court room and trial experience, including contested trials before judges and juries across Hampton Roads. In 2014, Mr. O'Mara joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as an associate attorney. He became a partner in 2017. He now dedicates his entire practice to helping injured people. He heads up a dedicated premises liability team that helps people injured in slip and fall accidents, trampoline accidents and other accidents at stores, hotels, and restaurants.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Legal Receptionist
Billie Jo Holloman joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers' support team late in 2016. She works as a legal receptionist for attorneys.
Before joining Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, Billie Jo worked for a law firm in Suffolk, Virginia. She was born and raised in Chesapeake and attended Oscar Smith High School. Billie Jo has seven years of legal experience. "The thing I love most about working at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers is the generosity they show to their clients, community and employees," she said. In her spare time, Billie Jo likes to hang out with her fiancé and kids, Michael and Lillie, riding dirt bikes and four wheelers.
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Investigator
Carl Keen was raised and currently resides in the small town of Hilliard, Florida. Carl went to work for SCL Railroad in 1979 as a laborer. He worked in the maintenance of way department and eventually moved to the car department where he served the remainder of his 22 year railroad career. During his time at the railroad, Carl held several union positions: Local Chairman, Financial Secretary, and Trustee. After 22 years of railroad service, Carl's railroad career ended when he suffered a work injury that forced him to retire. Carl now devotes lots of his time to helping others hurt by the negligence of railroad companies.
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Member of the Leadership Team
- in 2017 As the Chief Marketing Officer
Cassidy Lewis joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in 2017 as the Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to joining the firm, Cassidy received her business administration degree from Elizabeth City State University and is currently pursuing her master's degree in marketing and executive leadership. She has worked in every facet of marketing including campaign management, the non-profit sector, public relations, and digital advertising.
In addition to her eventful career, Cassidy is a passionate environmentalist and human rights activist involved in numerous organizations throughout the community, including the executive board of Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals. Cassidy says she enjoys working at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers because, "The same loving and family environment that we have with each other in the office gets extended to every client that we work with. That's what makes us different." Cassidy is married to her best friend and is mommy to the prettiest girl and cutest boy on earth.
Dan Mazzio has been practicing law in Hampton Roads for more than a decade. He has represented clients in courts all over Virginia and has earned a reputation as a skilled trial attorney. Dan has tried countless jury trials to successful outcomes and is passionate about fighting for his clients to get them the best possible outcome.
Dan grew up in Chesapeake and attended Longwood University. He received his law degree from the University of Richmond's T.C. Williams School of Law in 2007.
Dan is married to Lisa, a psychologist and the owner of Watermark Psychological Services in Ghent. They have four children who attend Norfolk Christian Schools and have been members of Trinity Presbyterian Church for almost 20 years. Dan is a member of the Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Association and the Hampton Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Senior Analyst
Daniel Jarman joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in 2017. In his role as the Senior Analyst, he negotiates client case files with insurers. He has worked every facet of the claims process including supervision, managing litigation, and resolving catastrophic injury cases. Daniel's in-depth industry knowledge allows him to maximize the value of our client's cases. Daniel received his business administration degree majoring in economics from Old Dominion University. In his free time, Daniel enjoys being outdoors and enjoying nature. His hobbies include kayaking, mountain biking, and photography.
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Investigator
Griffin O'Hanlon joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as an attorney in the fall of 2015, and at the start of 2020, Griff became partner. He attended Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake for his freshman and sophomore years, before his parents relocated to Illinois.
He returned to Virginia to attend Virginia Tech, where he majored in history. Griff obtained his J.D. from the Saint Louis University School of Law with a concentration in civil litigation.
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- in 2018 As a Paralegal
- Paralegal
Jennifer Hogan joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in 2018 as a paralegal within John Cooper's group. Prior to working at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, Jennifer worked regionally as a legal assistant. She is currently pursuing a degree in the legal field which she plans to use for the benefit of our clients. Jennifer brings a unique and worldly perspective to the team, as she was born and raised in Germany.
When not in the office, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her two beautiful daughters, working out, and completing projects. What she likes most about working for Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers is the family atmosphere and the firm's generosity in giving back to the community. "I go out of my way to convey this family-friendly atmosphere to our clients," Jennifer says.
Jim Hurley has been practicing law throughout Virginia for more than two-and-a-half decades. During his career, he has tried more than 100 jury trials - a staggering number - and handled hundreds more that were settled out of court. He is guided by the principle that the client is in charge of his or her case and should be kept fully aware of the litigation process. Jim has been awarded an AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating given, for his practice of law. He was named in Virginia Super Lawyers in 2014-2021.
Jim lives in the Larchmont area of Norfolk. He is married to Pam, a retired Norfolk schoolteacher and has two adult children. Every year, Jim Hurley supports countless good causes in the Hampton Roads area and further afield.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Marketing Assistant
Jimmy was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended Norfolk Collegiate School and the University of Richmond. As son to Managing Partner Jim Hurley, he grew up around the family business and is excited to get to contribute as the firm's marketing assistant.
Jimmy enjoys spending time with his work family. He has known some members of the Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers staff since he was a kid!
When he is not in the office, you can find Jimmy watching sports, at a concert, or hanging out with his dog.
John Baker joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in early 2018. He was born and raised in Norfolk and graduated from Norfolk Collegiate School.
After high school, John attended Hampden-Sydney College, where he was a Venable Scholar and graduated cum laude in 2006. John represented his class in the Student Senate each year at Hampden-Sydney, and he served as its chairman during his senior year. John also received the James Madison Public Service Certificate and was a member of the Society of 1791, Hampden-Sydney's leadership organization.
John attended the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he was a member of Phi Delta Phi, and graduated cum laude in 2010. John met his wife, Kate, at Ole Miss. She is also an attorney and works as a lobbyist for the Virginia Retail Federation.
After passing the bar exam in 2010, John worked for a local insurance defense firm for seven years. He appeared in courts all over the Commonwealth of Virginia and represented a number of insurance companies during this time.
John has been selected as a Rising Star by Virginia Super Lawyers since 2015 and was honored by his peers as a 2022 Top Lawyer by Coastal Virginia Magazine and CoVaBIZ. He is a former member of the James Kent American Inn of Court. John and his partners at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers regularly teach continuing legal education (CLE) courses on civil litigation and personal injury practice.
John is heavily involved in the Hampton Roads community. He served as President of the Virginia Club from 2020-2022. He attends Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Virginia, and served on the Norfolk Collegiate Alumni Board from 2011 to 2016. When he is not working, John enjoys spending time with Kate and their son and daughter, running, playing squash, and boating.
John M. Cooper is one of the founding partners at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers and a veteran of Virginia personal injury law practice. A native Virginian, he was raised in Norfolk and Virginia Beach by parents who practiced law. After graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1988, John returned home to work for a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, which launched his passion for and career in personal injury law.
For over 30 years, John has worked closely with injured victims and their families and knows the long-term and devastating consequences that auto accidents, railroad accidents, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful deaths can have. John also understands that catastrophic cases are complex and require extensive time, skill, and resources to properly litigate in court. This knowledge and experience has helped him to become a highly effective, results-oriented litigation attorney who has won millions and millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his clients.
In 2020, John and his team obtained the largest reported recovery in Virginia that year, $6,500,000, for a single car accident plaintiff who become quadriplegic after his accident. John's other recent results include a $5,800,000 settlement for a traumatic brain injury victim and a $4,725,000 settlement for an auto accident victim who suffered vision impairment and multiple fractures.
John's strong record has earned him numerous honors, including a Top Lawyer designation by Coastal Virginia Magazine, a VA "Super Lawyer" designation (awarded to only 5% of lawyers in Virginia), and an AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating given, for his reputation in the practice of law. He is also rated 10 out of 10 ("Superb") by Avvo and is ranked among the top 100 trial lawyers in Virginia. John served for a decade on the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Board of Governors and served as Chair of the FELA Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice from 2011 to 2017. John regularly teaches about personal injury law for attorney groups like the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association and the Virginia Beach Bar Association.
In addition to his professional service, John is also extremely active in Hampton Roads civic, non-profit, and religious communities. Through Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers Cares, his firm's philanthropic and outreach initiative, John ensures that significant contributions are made to Hampton Roads charitable organizations each year. Recently, John directed the firm to donate $5,000 to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, which sponsored more than 12,500 meals for local residents. Currently, John serves as the Ohef Sholom Temple President.
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Paralegal
Lauren grew up in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach and graduated in 2015 from Old Dominion University with a degree in business management (Go Monarchs!). She has been a paralegal for over five years and joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in December 2020. "One of the things that makes working here great is getting to work with attorneys and staff who value your opinions and ideas," Lauren says.
In her spare time, Lauren loves to hang out with her nieces and nephews and attend ODU football and basketball games. Before joining the firm, she was a nanny to five kids and enjoyed the chaos of it. She loves to cuddle with her cutest little dog in the world, Pippa, and she is also a big traveler who has visited more Caribbean islands than U.S. states.
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Litigation Paralegal
Melissa Kelly joined the firm in early 2021 as a litigation paralegal. Born and raised in the Tidewater region, Melissa has supported the legal community for over 40 years! She worked with the Honorable James C. Lewis and the Hon. Kevin M. Duffan before assuming the judicial bench in Virginia Beach and has enjoyed her litigation career.
In her spare time, Melissa enjoys vegetable gardening, reading, and taking weekend getaways to our surrounding communities-Williamsburg, North Carolina and the Eastern Shore. Melissa and her husband, Kevin, have been married 30 years and raised two sons and a daughter.
Melissa is proud to continue her service to the community as a member of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers' litigation team.
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Paralegal
Monique Collins joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as Legal Assistant in 2018. Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, she received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Fayetteville State University ("Bronco Pride!").
With over eight years of legal experience, Monique is happy to be a part of the Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers family. Her favorite part about her job is "working in an environment where your hard work is valued and appreciated."
Monique married her college sweetheart in August of 2014 and has a son and a daughter.
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Litigation Paralegal
- Paralegal
Nichelle grew up in a Navy family, but, having lived in Norfolk for a combined 20+ years, she calls this home. She graduated top of her class from Granby High School in 2005, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from the College of William & Mary in 2009, and she is currently pursuing her MBA at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business.
Nichelle has been a personal injury paralegal since 2012 and joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as a litigation paralegal in the summer of 2020. "I love how supportive the management is here at Cooper Hurley. They really focus on supporting us so that we can focus on how to best serve our clients. The professionalism and flexibility make this a great place to work!"
Before starting school, Nichelle was an active volunteer in the Hampton Roads community. She previously served as president of the Northside Civic League, assisted on several committees, and was an active member of the former Global Shapers Norfolk Hub.
Nichelle is married to her high school sweetheart and they have three active children together. In their off time, when they can find it, they love to explore locally and travel, both near and far, as much as they can.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Firm Administrator
Nicole is Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers' first Firm Administrator. She has lived in Hampton Roads for over 15 years and has been working for Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers since 2011. After graduating from Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, she went on to earn her associate's degree in administration of Justice from Tidewater Community College. Nicole began her career answering the phones for Hurley Law Firm, before it was Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers. Shortly after, she started to work on files to learn the litigation process of a personal injury case. She continued to handle pre-litigation files and litigation files for several years. Nicole loved to develop relationships with her clients throughout their difficult times and stopped at nothing to guarantee they were happy at the end of their case. As the Firm Administrator, Nicole is happy to pass on all of the things she has learned throughout the years to ensure all employees at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers become the best at handling a personal injury matter and show the same level of compassion for all clients.
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Paralegal
Nya was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in Hampton Roads. She's been a team member at Cooper Hurley since August 2016 but has known founding attorney Jim Hurley since she was in high school. Her first role at the firm was receptionist before becoming a legal assistant and now a paralegal.
Nya loves fashion, loves to travel, and enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and two athletic sons. She enjoys working at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers because it is family oriented and does a lot for the community.
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Investigator
Robert Pless grew up in the small town of Norris, Tennessee. Robert attended Roane State Community College and The University of Tennessee. He began working at the Southern Railroad as a carman and later became a journeyman machinist. In 1986, he left the railroad to work with FELA attorneys as an investigator. Robert has the skills to help fellow railroaders in their FELA cases. He works closely with John Cooper in establishing negligence, obtaining photographs, collecting physical evidence, and gathering witness statements. He has attended well over a thousand union functions of every craft across the Eastern United States and Midwest.
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Paralegal
Stacey Maguire has worked in the legal industry for the past 20 years. She started working at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as an associate paralegal in September 2014. Stacey previously worked for Jim Hurley from 2003 to 2006 as his bankruptcy paralegal.
Stacey was born and raised in Chesapeake and graduated with honors from Oscar Smith High School. She has a combined 4 children with her husband Joe. Stacey says that her long track record in the legal profession and her attention to detail are assets to Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers.
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Paralegal
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Director of Intake
Job Titles:
- Legal Staff Member
- Paralegal
Job Titles:
- Administrative Staff Member
- Director of Client Services