To celebrate Black History Month 2022, the CBA's YLS D&I committee is shining a spotlight on local Black attorneys in the Greater Cincinnati legal community. CBA members nominated Black attorneys for recognition, and YLS D&I committee co-chairs Jenna Heaphy and Zachary el-Sawaf conducted interviews to learn more about them.
Meet Eric Cook, assistant general counsel with Mercy Health.
1) What does representation mean to you in the legal field?
When I think of representation, I actually often don’t think of race initially. I think about a diversity of thought, diverse upbringing, and experiences. Now, I am not blind to the fact that race is one of the largest factors impacting representation – it means that you have grown up with and had certain experiences, often different from others who do not look like you. But at the end of the day, there is no question that those in positions of power have been predominantly white and therefore we need their input and perspective in the room. We just need to do a better job of getting more diverse voices there, too.
2) What advice would you give to other Black attorneys or law students following in your footsteps?
Know yourself. Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t focus on, but be sure to address your weaknesses while playing to your strengths. Find a work environment and purpose that build on your strengths and enhances them.
3) Where have you found the most support, mentorship, or guidance?
I have actually received a lot of support and guidance from the general legal community. Beyond that, the SWEL program single handedly connected me to my best mentors. It allowed me to build relationships before I was even in law school and allowed those folks to invest and devote energy in my that would otherwise have gone elsewhere.
4) When thinking about your legacy, what would you like it to be?
I’m in the privacy industry and I love technology and privacy because they impact us on a very basic level as human beings. I want to work with and for things that make a better world. Technology is going to change a lot of things and create a more level playing field. I want to use the law to make sure that other people can get involved and be remembered as someone who worked with his clients and community better.
5) What has been your greatest achievement outside of law?
Reengaging and continuing my development in martial arts. I have been in martial arts since I was 5. I had a gap where I stopped but am really proud to have picked it back up and continue to improve and develop and now have multiple black belts.
6) Why did you become a lawyer?
Initially it was because my mom told me. Then I started thinking about careers and a great professor in college, Todd Bailey, gave me a book about what people can do with law degrees. Ultimately, if I wanted to help people and be a service-oriented person, a law degree and practice was the best way to go about it.
7) What does being a lawyer mean to you?
Being of service to people. Being of service to both individuals and the community as a whole.
8) Why do you belong to the CBA?
I find that it’s important to be around other lawyers to gain insight and knowledge from them. No matter how different we all might be, I’ll meet some people who have some experience or who have some insight that will make me better.
9) Who do you think about when you hear “Black History Month”?
I look at it as a month where we’re trying to make more open what people already believe is understood. Where we try to talk about things that need to be talked about – because currently we aren’t. This is the one month where we can focus and make a conscience effort to bring these issues to the forefront.
10) What does/has Black History Month meant to you (past and present)?
It has made me really sit down and consciously think about and learn about my own history. More than just getting the facts, but a deeper look at the history of Black people in America. Thinking about ways to better understand my heritage prior to the US and what that means for me and what I can know about myself.
11) What does being a Black man mean to you?
It’s funny, when I hear it out loud, I almost hear a huge sigh. Can be one of the most rewarding things, but also one of the most negative, weighty feelings. At times it can feel like there is a baggage that comes with being Black and that it’s put upon you. Often, I feel like I’m needing to dispel those assumptions before I do anything else. So ultimately, being a Black man means persevering.
12) Why is it important to take the time of Black History Month to celebrate Blackness in all of its forms?
For white America it needs to happen to understand and counter the assumptions that are made about Black America. For Black America it gives a sense of pride and empowerment. It highlights Black success and excellence and a reminder of what we have achieved and can continue to achieve.