Idaho natives, Gary L. Cooper and Reed W. Larsen have practiced law at Cooper and Larsen Chartered for 15 years but have known each other much longer than that. Both graduated from the University of Idaho Law School (though not at the same time) and have been practicing law in Pocatello since 1975 and 1985, respectively.

They bring different talents to the firm which allows them to provide high-level legal services to clients with various needs. "We both knew we wanted to continue helping people resolve their issues and our practice does just that," says Larsen. He also believes that the "great thing about having a practice with such variety is, it's exciting!"

This partnership seems as though it were destined to happen. "Gary and I were both raised on farms so we both have that background," says Reed Larsen. "I went to law school as a pioneer because nobody in my family, and I don't think anyone in Gary's family, had ever done anything like that. We both like trying lawsuits, we see our firm as an opportunity to help people resolve their disputes. We're both good at it, and there is a lot of satisfactions in helping people solve their problems."

While our office is in Pocatello, Cooper & Larsen is licensed to practice in the States of Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Having such a widespread reach and owning the practice definitely keeps the attorneys on their toes. "We both do plaintiff work and defense work," says Larsen. "We represent people who get hurt and represent the insurance companies with clients who get sued. We represent employees of the railroad and other injured workers! There will be periods of time we don't see each other too often, because of our busy schedule, but it works out just fine. We really enjoy this practice." The experience both bring to the courtroom is vast and extreme. Cooper's litigation experience includes insurance defense, worker's compensation defense, insurance coverage issues, insurance bad faith defense, personal injury, product liability, and professional malpractice, RICO, ERISA and Indian Law. Larsen's portfolio is just as impressive. He often represents his clients in mediation and other forms of ADR while his litigation experience involves auto accident cases, repetitive trauma injuries in the workplace, Federal Employer Liability Act (FELA) litigation, railroad crossing cases, personal injury insurance defense, agricultural litigation and Indian law.

It's not just Cooper and Larsen who hang their shingles here. There is a support staff of eight, which sometimes reaches up to 10 depending on the level of need. Two other attorneys are also involved in the practice: Javier L. Gabiola, Associate, focuses on litigation, personal injury and insurance defense and railroad cases, and Ron Kerl, Of Counsel, focuses on commercial litigation, bankruptcy reorganizations under Chapters 11 and 12 and bankruptcy liquidations under Chapter 7 (creditor representation), contracts and real estate.

When they aren't practicing law, all members of this firm can be found outdoors, enjoying the western lifestyle of fly fishing, skiing, golfing, hunting and even team roping and horseback riding. This group understands what it means to live and play in Pocatello and they take none of it for granted. Pocatello is home for them, and they want to make sure their "neighbors" have the best representation available. Who better to go to than people who "know" you?