Ariel Lynn Cook
Advocate, Appellate Thinker, and Champion for Access to Justice
Ariel Cook is a Washington-born attorney whose practice combines sharp legal analysis, persuasive advocacy, and a deep commitment to community service. From arguing complex legal issues to volunteering on behalf of immigrants and underserved communities, Ariel brings both intellectual rigor and a people-first perspective to the practice of law.
Background and Education
Ariel's path into law began in Tacoma, where Ariel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Policy from the University of Washington before attending Seattle University School of Law. At Seattle U, Ariel graduated manga cum laude and received the Dean's Medal, a full-tuition Academic Honors Scholarship, the Pro Bono Pledge Award, and membership in the Order of the Barristers.
Trial and appellate advocacy became a defining part of Ariel's law-school experience. Ariel was a regional champion in both the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition and the American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition, and took first place in Seattle University's James E. Bond Moot Court Competition, Motions Competition, and Mock Trial Competition. Ariel also earned the top grade in her class in Persuasive Writing & Oral Advocacy, Evidence, Criminal Procedure, and Constitutional Law II.
Legal Experience
Ariel's legal experience spans trial and appellate litigation, administrative controversies, and judicial decision-making. After law school, Ariel served as a judicial law clerk to Justice Charles Johnson of the Washington State Supreme Court, providing legal analysis on pending appellate cases and drafting bench memoranda and opinions.
Ariel later joined Fox Rothschild LLP as an associate, handling civil litigation, state and local taxation controversies, and state and federal appeals. Ariel is admitted to practice in Washington, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
People's Lawyer
For Ariel, practicing law has always been about more than what happens in the courtroom. Ariel volunteers with Entre Hermanos, the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Kids in Need of Defense, and the Tanggol Migrante Movement, providing legal service to communities that often face significant barriers to representation. Ariel also gives back to the next generation of advocates as a regional competition mock trial coach at Seattle University School of Law.
That commitment to service was recognized in 2026 when Ariel received a Service Commendation from the Washington State Bar Association and recognition on the Pro Bono Honor Roll. Ariel also serves as Chair-Elect of the WSBA Washington New Members Committee.
Advocacy and Thought Leadership
Ariel's interests extend beyond individual cases to the evolving legal profession itself. Ariel has written about complex Washington business-tax issues for Bloomberg Tax and co-authored Let's Work Together to Embrace the Digital Agewith Jordan Couch for Washington State Bar News.
Whether researching a difficult appellate issue, standing up for a client, mentoring future advocates, or volunteering in the community, Ariel approaches the law with the same goal: use excellent advocacy to make the legal system work better for the people who depend on it.
