Derick Cooper is a seasoned trial lawyer with nearly 20 years of experience litigating catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. As Of Counsel to the J. Stein Law Firm, Derick is a trusted advocate for clients and a valuable member of the team, bringing both trial-tested skill and a client-focused approach that align perfectly with the firm’s philosophy of personalized, high-touch service.
Before joining the firm, Derick was an Equity Partner at one of the Southeast’s most respected defense litigation firms, where he represented Fortune 500 companies in catastrophic tort, trucking, premises liability, and product liability cases. He tried numerous high-stakes cases to verdict against some of the nation’s leading plaintiff’s attorneys. That experience gave him a unique perspective — he knows how insurers and corporate defendants evaluate and defend claims, and he uses that insight to hold them accountable for the individuals and families he represents today.
Since shifting his practice exclusively to the plaintiff’s side, Derick has successfully handled complex injury and wrongful death cases, helping clients secure millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Known for his trial readiness and willingness to take on difficult cases, Derick has earned the respect of judges, opposing counsel, and referral attorneys alike. Clients consistently praise him for his accessibility, clear communication, and the steady confidence he brings to even the most stressful cases.
Derick’s plaintiff practice focuses on:
- Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases
- Trucking and commercial vehicle collisions
- Premises liability, daycare and slip/trip and fall cases
- Defective product claims
Like the rest of the J. Stein Law Firm team, Derick believes fewer cases mean stronger relationships — and better results. His ability to combine sharp litigation skills with compassion for his clients makes him a powerful advocate in and out of the courtroom. He is also an active member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, where he works alongside colleagues across the state to advance the rights of injured individuals.
A native Atlantan, Derick lives in Brookhaven with his wife, daughter, son, and their black Labrador, Baxter. In his spare time, he can often be found traveling across the Southeast for his children’s soccer tournaments or passionately cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.
- University of Georgia, B.B.A., magna cum laude, Risk Management & Insurance, 2004
- Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 2007, Wake Forest Law Review
- State Bar of Georgia
- State Bar of Florida
