Patrick Neal Cook, a beloved partner in Parker Poe's Charlotte office, passed away on Monday, April 15. Neal was a true mentor, a friend to everyone he met, and a leader in the firm’s community and practice.

"Those of us who knew him well are still processing his loss and will understand when I say that it’s really hard to capture who he was and what he meant to all of us," said Tom Griffin, Parker Poe's managing partner. "Through his warmth and wit, he made everyone around him feel, well, just better. We were truly fortunate to have him with us."

"Neal was unassuming, tender-hearted, and wickedly funny," said Patti Bartis, a Raleigh partner. She became friends with Neal after he joined the firm in 1995 as an associate in the Raleigh office before moving to the firm’s Charlotte office early in his career. "I, along with many in our firm, will miss Neal terribly."

"Neal was my law partner and friend," said Sam Woodard, retired of counsel in Charlotte. "Every time I needed his help he was eager to come to my aid. He was a superb attorney. Much more importantly, Neal was one of the finest persons I have ever known. He listened intensely to my questions or comments and his responses were right on point. Neal was vigilant in handling his clients’ needs and keeping them informed. He was an exceptional attorney and a major contributor to the success of Parker Poe, especially our banking and finance practice."

You can learn more about Neal's life and impact in his obituary, which you can read here.