PASSION. EXPERIENCE.
DILIGENCE.
About Cook Phelan Attorneys at Law
CJ Cook and Scott Phelan pride themselves in taking a client centered approach. Whether needing a lawyer for a DUI, divorce, business start up or sale, or a personal injury lawsuit, you will find that the attorneys at Cook Phelan, advocate for their clients in an efficient, cost effective manner.
Contact Us
We get it - legal troubles can be daunting. Let’s set up a consultation to walk you through the next steps in your journey. Regardless if we end up representing you or not, let’s meet and see what we can do for you help you through this time.
CJ Cook, Attorney
Born in Buffalo, NY, CJ initially chose law school as a “good background for business.” Never realizing that his passion for entrepreneurship would collide with his love for law, he has pursued every opportunity available to him that has allowed him to practice either (or both). From founding a prominent music festival in New York, to establishing a real estate investment firm in Montana, CJ has grasped every opportunity to charge forward in the business world while maintaining his love for the law. Now settled in Bozeman, MT he is excited to see where these next chapters bring him as he serves the greater Gallatin Valley and their family and business law needs.
Even before entering the practice of law, CJ Cook developed a passion for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Through selective studies in law school, he found himself honing in on this newly discovered passion by attending Alternative Dispute Resolution trainings in Vienna and Paris, and placing in negotiation competitions at both. Realizing there was an “us vs them” mentality found in the legal system, he wanted to remove himself from the “game” and facilitate the “why” behind “what” in today’s disputes and transactions. Subsequent mediation training, and practice as a divorce and business attorney led CJ to advocate for the “why” and get down to the fundamentals of the clients needs and abolish the “game” that is often found in litigation and transactional law.
Education
University of Buffalo
Juris Doctorate
University of Vermont
Business Finance Degree
St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute
Advance Regents Degree with Honors
Activities & Affiliations
• American Bar Association, Member
• Gallatin County Bar Association, Member
Bar Admissions
• New York, Montana
Scott Phelan, Attorney
Scott grew up in Sun Valley, Idaho, before attending Montana State University and graduating with highest honors in 2014 with a degree in Economics. He then attended the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. There, he served as the Executive Symposium Editor on the Utah Law Review, interned for a Federal Magistrate Judge, worked for the Salt Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, and graduated with high honors.
Scott is licensed to practice before the state and federal courts of Montana. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Montana, and the Gallatin County Bar Association. His practice focuses on family law, criminal defense, civil litigation, and business law.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Juris Doctor
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Economics Degree
Activities & Affiliations
• American Bar Association, Member
• Gallatin County Bar Association, Member
Bar Admissions
• Montana
Shannon Norquist, Paralegal and Guardian Ad Litem
Shannon grew up in Colstrip, Montana. She graduated with the highest honors from Montana State University in 2001 with a B.S. in Business. After graduation, Shannon moved to Santa Barbara, California, where she later enrolled in law school at the Santa Barbara College of Law. She graduated with the highest honors in December 2007 and was admitted to the California Bar in 2008.
While in law school, Shannon clerked for the Honorable Judge Brian Hill at the Santa Barbara Superior Court, and the Environmental Defense Center, a non-profit environmental law firm. As a law student, Shannon was also invited to join the Santa Barbara Inns of Court, an association of judges and lawyers working together to improve the skills, professionalism, and ethics of the bench and bar. As a California attorney, Shannon’s practice focused on business and employment law, civil litigation, intellectual property, estate planning, and personal injury law.
In 2013, Shannon moved back to Montana and took a four-year hiatus from the law, changing her California license status to inactive, in order to raise her young family. She rejoined the legal field in 2017 as a Montana paralegal. In 2018, Shannon became a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate with CASA/GAL of Gallatin Valley. As a CASA, Shannon serves as an advocate for children who are alleged victims of abuse and neglect and provides an objective perspective on assigned cases to the Judge. Shannon also serves as a civil guardian ad litem, advocating for children in family law and custody cases.
Education
SANTA BARBARA COLLEGE OF LAW
Juris Doctorate
MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Business Management Degree
Activities & Affiliations
• CASA/GAL of Gallatin County
Bar Admissions
• California (Inactive)