Lawrence H. Cooke, a lifelong resident of Sullivan County, New York, rose through the ranks of the legal profession to the exalted position of chief judge of his native state. He earned a national reputation as a jurist and court administrator. When Cooke retired from the bench, United States chief justice Warren Burger lauded the "powerful impact" of Cooke's "firm, constant voice." Other prominent judges and lawyers recalled Cooke's prodigious judicial accomplishments, personal warmth, and sympathy for the ordinary citizen. In this book, editor David M. Gold brings Cooke's life and work to light through a biographical essay, an interview with Cooke, and articles on Cooke's judicial legacy. The collection is a fitting tribute to the memory of an eminent jurist, tireless court reformer, and affable friend.