Stephanie Cook handles a wide variety of fiduciary litigation matters, including probate and trust litigation and contested guardianship cases. She was named a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015, 2016, and 2017 and a Florida Super Lawyer from 2019 through 2025 by a selection process that rates attorneys based upon a comprehensive three-part review process and is limited to no more than five percent of Florida’s attorneys. She was also nominated for Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite in 2017 and 2019 through 2023. In 2024, she was included in Florida Trend's Notable Women Leaders in Law edition.
Stephanie is admitted to the Florida Bar, and she is also admitted to practice in the federal court before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Stephanie earned her J.D. degree from Barry University School of Law in 2007, graduating Valedictorian of her law class. She holds a B.A. degree from Mississippi College.
Background
Living in the Dr. Phillips area of southwest Orlando, Stephanie and her husband, Randy Cook, are members of First Baptist Church of Orlando. She enjoys spending time with her husband and children, including time on the lake and at the beach.
Admissions
State of Florida
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Education
J.D., Summa Cum Laude, Valedictorian, Barry University School of Law
Barry University School of Law Student of the Year
Barry Law Review, Note and Comment Editor
Book Awards for Trial Advocacy, Florida Constitutional Law; Wills, Trusts, and Estates; Administrative Law; and Conflicts of Law; Moot Court Honors Board Member; Moot Court Honors Board Most Valuable Advocate
Moot Court Honors Board Outstanding Graduate
Second Place, Region V Moot Court National Competition
Argued an amicus brief before the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in U.S. v. Long, 64 M.J. 57,
B.A., Mississippi College
Member, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International
Professional Associations & Memberships
Member, The Orange County Bar Association
Steering Committee, The Orange County Bar Estate Guardianship Trust Section
Member, The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Member, Executive Council Committee Member
Member, Probate Law and Procedure Committee
Member, Probate and Trust Litigation Committee
Member, Trust Law Committee
Co-Vice Chair, Legislative Committee
Co-Vice Chair, Guardianship, Power of Attorney & Advance Directives Committee
Co-Chair , Convention Committee
Liaison with the Florida State Guardianship Association for the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar
Member, Florida Bar Probate Rules Committee
Member, Florida State Guardianship Association
Board Member, 2023-2024
Board Member, Florida Guardian Support Network
Civic
Member, Dr. Phillips Rotary Club
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, Navigating Contested Guardianships, RPPTL Guardianship Seminar, 2018
Co-Presenter, Once Upon a Time in Estate, Trusts and Guardianships, Orange County Bar Association Estate Guardianship Trust Section, 2020
Co-Presenter, Planning Beyond the Pandemic-What You Need to Know, Orange County Bar Association Estate Guardianship Trust Section, 2021
Co-Speaker, Avoid Destruction, Stop Dysfunction, File an Injunction, RPPTL Annual Guardianship Seminar, 2021
Featured Speaker, Creditors and Personal Representatives Be Aware and Don’t Stall…It Could be Your Downfall, RPPTL Litigation & Trust Symposium, 2022
Speaker, Best Practices for Remote Proceedings, RPPTL Litigation & Trust Symposium, 2022
Panelist, Attorney's Fees and Guardian's Fees, 6th Annual Annual Clerks’ Statewide Investigation Alliance Virtual Training Symposium, 2022
Co-Speaker, Ask the Experts: Guardianship Attorney Edition, Guardian Peer Support & Mentor Group Virtual Presentation, 2023
Co-Moderator, Local Judge’s Panel for Annual OCBA CLE, Orange County Bar Association Estate Guardianship Trust Section, 2022-2024
Co-Speaker, Intersection of Titans: Where Guardians and Trustees Collide, Central Florida Estate Planning Council, 2023
Panelist, Guardianship Problems- Troubleshooters Q & A. The Next Gen Players, Florida Legal Education Association (FLEA), 2023
Co-Presenter, RPPTL’s Unite: What’s New in Estates, Guardianship and Trusts, Orange County Bar Association Estate Guardianship Trust Section, 2024
Co-Speaker, Exploring Best Practices and Ethical Challenges for Guardians and Trustees When a Person is Incapacitated, The Professional Fiduciary Council of Florida, 2024
Co-Speaker, You Represent Who? Duties of the Court Appointed Counsel and How to Work With Them, RPPTL Annual Guardianship CLE, 2024
Featured Speaker, Not Your Ordinary Undue Influence and Incapacity Challenge: Navigating Challenging Deeds, a Marriage and Bank Account Designations on the Basis of Undue Influence or Lack of Capacity, Orange County Bar Association Estate Trust and Guardianship Section, 2025
Co-Speaker, RPPTL Annual Guardianship CLE, The Florida Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, 2025
Co-Speaker, Guardianship from A to Z, The Professional Fiduciary Council of Florida, 2025
Recognitions & Awards
2019-2025, Florida Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters
2015-2017, Rising Star, Florida Super Lawyers
2016, Up and Comer, Legal Elite
2017 & 2019-2023 Legal Elite Attorney by Florida Trend Magazine
2024, Selected to Florida Trend's Notable Women Leaders In Law
