From a precious outspoken kid growing up on the south side of Greenville to recently being sworn in as the Assistant District Attorney for the Mississippi Fourth District Circuit Court, attorney Laura K. Cooper’s career is officially ascending. The 29-year-old Tougaloo College and University of Mississippi Law School alum recalled the defining moment that solidified her career path. “What sealed it for me was during my senior year when I was in Ms Latonya Peterson’ class and Trayvon Martin had been killed,” she said. “And we were in class just talking about what could've been done and I felt like I had to pursue the law. I wanted to know why his killer hadn’t been charged and I wanted to understand the justice system. That was like the final straw for me.”
This one case also added to Cooper’s holistic observations of the system. She took note of her family members’ interactions with the legal system as well as her friends’ and classmates’ encounters with school resource officers. Of the aforementioned groups, odds were stacked against them with regard to fair treatment, adequate representation and unbiased application of the law
“I grew up on the south end of Greenville, so we don’t come from money-humble beginnings,” Cooper said. “And so when people get involved with the law and can’t afford to hire the council they would like to choose, they often get the public defender. So I went to law school to become a public defender. I felt like this was the best way for me to be the liaison between poor people and the criminal justice system.”
Before returning home to Greenville a little more than a month ago, Cooper served a couple of years just as she had envisioned as a public defender in Hattiesburg. Her work that she’s beginning on the prosecutorial side of the legal ledger demonstrates ever-evolving thinking about how a champion for the underserved can help create a more fair and balanced system. “I wanted to be the type of public who didn’t care about money but more about the people,” Cooper said. “In law school we learn about the role of the prosecutor and who has the power to make decisions and investigate cases and figure out what justice means for the victim and the defendant. So, early on I thought I had to be a public defender to be the change that I wanted to see. But when I saw there was an opportunity in my hometown to do justice, I thought this would be a good opportunity for me. And I’m glad I did. At first I didn’t see myself in this role as a prosecutor because they have a bad rep. Some believe that all a prosecutor does is lock people up and that’s not the job. The job is to promote justice.”
Fourth Circuit District Attorney Dewayne Richardson reached out to Cooper and encouraged her to apply when the Assistant District Attorney position became available. Richardson remembered Cooper when she worked under Judge Debra Giles and interned at Simmons and Simmons Law Firm. “I knew some time ago that she would have the drive and enthusiasm to do well in this capacity,” Richardson said. “I knew that she would be a good advocate and would fight for the community.”
Cooper’s upbringing will continue to be the foundation of her professional and professional pursuits. She envisions using her position and expertise to help a broad spectrum of underserved people navigate legal, educational, technology and quality of life barriers such as adequate housing.
This young attorney is eager to continue her growth and development as there are a plethora of what Cooper called “excellent” mid-career law practitioners in the Fourth Circuit vicinity to assist her along her journey. Cooper appreciates all of those who were instrumental in her upbringing including her godmother who was a custodian while she attended Lucy Webb Elementary. “My mom, Annie Smith, taught me about hard work and believing in myself,” Cooper said. “My dad, Michael Kingdom, taught me to value all people and the power of second chances. And my step dad, Atwood Dean, taught me the importance of being accountable.”
Cooper plans to strike a work/life balance by doing a lot of reading , watching TV programs like Rupaul’s Drag Races and singing karaoke.
