Our Leaders & Founding Partners
Gary Cooper and Reed Larsen are among the most experienced and effective personal injury lawyers in Idaho for crafting secure, effective lifetime settlements for people and families who’ve suffered truly catastrophic injuries or a wrongful death. (Working together since 1998)
GARY L COOPER
Partner - Of Counsel
Congratulations are extended to Gary Cooper, a founding member of Cooper & Larsen. Gary and Reed Larsen have worked together since 1998 to create a law firm of regional distinction. Upon Gary's retirement at the end of 2024, he will become Of Counsel to the Firm so he can continue to share his wisdom and experience to the firm's newly appointed partners, JD Oborn and Anthony "Tony" Budge. Gary will also continue to work on several major cases after the end of 2024.
Gary@cooper-larsen.com
REED W LARSEN
Partner
Graduated from Brigham Young University in 1982, and Idaho Law School in 1985. Served as law clerk for the Fifth Judicial District and then admitted to practice in State and Federal Courts in 1985, the Shoshone Bannock Tribal Court in 1986, and before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in 1999. Recently designated a Senior Fellow with the Litigation Council of America. Served as State Bar President from July 2011 to July 2012. Joined the Idaho Judicial Council in 2015.
Reed@cooper-larsen.com
about COOPER & LARSEN
~ ~ After building distinguished careers as associates and partners in other law firms, Idaho natives Gary L. Cooper and Reed W Larsen formed Cooper & Larsen in 1998 to create a litigation-oriented law firm providing high quality legal services in a cost-effective manner. The firm has grown from the original partnership to offering the expert services of 5 attorneys and a highly competent professional staff of paralegals and support personnel. ~ ~ Cooper & Larsen has won 100s of settlements and millions of dollars for clients seeking representation in personal injury, workplace injury and product liability cases. ~ ~ Our team also handles Social Security appeals, estate planning and probate, criminal matters, divorce and child custody, landlord tenant matters and other real estate and property disputes and transactions, contract evaluation and negotiation, business support, and Federal Employer Liability Act matters. ~ ~Cooper & Larsen affirms Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We want each person to feel respected and valued, whether they come to us as clients or potential employees. We recognize that racial inequality and unequal representation is a broad societal issue with a long history, and by focusing our business practices we can have a ripple effect within our community.
partners and other of counsel Attorneys
J.D. OBORN - Partner
JD@Cooper-larsen.com
JD is a native of Pocatello, ID and an Iraq War veteran who served with HHB 1/148th Battalion of the Idaho National Guard. He pursued his education at Idaho State University and then transferred to Weber State where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.A in Political Science. JD then attended Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating cum laude in 2013. While in law school, JD worked as a certified student attorney for the Ramsey County Attorney's Office child support enforcement division, where he handled over 500 child support establishment, paternity and divorce proceedings. After graduation and upon his return to Pocatello, JD clerked for the Honorable David C. Nye in the Sixth Judicial District. JD's practice areas include business law, contracts, personal injury litigation, estate planning, and property law. He is also a trained Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), and provides free representation to CASA volunteers that advocate for abused and neglected children.
RON KERL
Ron@cooper-larsen.com
Raised in Northern Idaho - Priest River, Ron graduated from the University of Idaho College of Letters and Sciences (B.A. 1972 and College of Law (J.D. 1975). He is admitted to practice in all Idaho Courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has served as president of the local 6th District Bar Association (1982), the Idaho State Bar state-wide (1994), the Portneuf Inns of court (1996), chaired numerous Idaho State Bar committees (Bar Exam Grading, Professional Conduct, Long Range Planning), and served on Idaho Law Foundations Fund Development committee. In 2002 he received the Idaho State Bar's Professionalism Award, and served as a lawyer representative from 2003-2006 for the District of Idaho and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Ron's primary practice areas include commercial litigation, bankruptcy reorganizations under Chapters 11 and 12 and bankruptcy liquidations under Chapter 7 (creditor representation), contract (drafting simple to complex commercial and financial agreements), and real estate (commercial and agricultural acquisitions and sales).
ANTHONY "TONY" BUDGE - Partner
Tony@cooper-larsen.com
Tony is a Cache Valley native with family roots in Idaho. He graduated from BYU Law School magna cum laude in 2018, receiving awards for academic excellence, integrity, high ethical standards, and significant contributions and dedication to the community. He also holds a BS in Special Education from Utah State University which he used to teach high school math and English to students with disabilities before his wife dared him to take the LSAT and apply for law school. During law school, Tony continued helping others by volunteering at the pro bono clinic teaching beginning golf to undergrads, and tutoring fellow students. He became the head of the Academic Success program and worked directly with the Dean of Students to ensure those attending law school could be successful. Tony interned with the Orem City Prosecutors office during his final year of law school where he successfully tried multiple jury cases. After graduation, Tony clerked for David Jones in Clark County, Nevada and the for the Honorable David C. Nye in the federal courts in Pocatello. Tony currently specializes in criminal law, landlord tenant matters, and serves as a CASA for abused and neglected children.
OUr PARALEGALS and SUPPORT
Wow, we love what we do. We are the folks who make sure you stay connected and up to date, schedule meetings with your attorneys, help draft and file documents, prepare statements, pay bills, and meet with you whenever needed to help gather information and answer procedural questions.
~ Barbie has been Gary's paralegal since the beginning, managing his and JD's case load and keeping things organized, and will retire the end of December with many thanks.
~ Jamie came to the firm in 2000. She assists Reed and Tony by meeting with clients, gathering records, drafting pleadings, putting together cases and keeping things organized.
~ Julie, who has been with the firm since December 2018, and assists JD and Gary. She keeps things organized, assists with drafting pleadings, gathering data. calendaring, meeting and following up with clients, and ensuring JD and Gary have what they need each day to move things along.
~ Liz has been supporting Reed since 2006, doing in-depth legal research and drafting pleadings and legal arguments.
~ Connie came to the firm in 2014. She supports Reed and Tony with general paralegal work and handles bookkeeping for the firm.
~ Lou has been with the firm since 2020. She handles the complexities of legal billing and provides all around paralegal support for the team.
~ Kellyn came to the firm in 2024, having grown up in Idaho Falls, she is finishing up her paralegal training and here to help JD and Gary with gathering and summarizing facts, drafting pleadings, and managing case files. She brings a much appreciated smile to the team along with excitement to keep learning.
~ Lucy is our newest team member and serves as our receptionist. She is the person who handles the busy phones and helps with many miscellaneous projects.
Liz Van Orden
Liz@cooper-larsen.com
Paralegal to Reed Larsen & Tony Budge
Connie Wynn
Connie@cooper-larsen.com
Paralegal to Reed Larsen & Tony Budge & Bookkeeper
Barbie@cooper-larsen.com
Paralegal to Gary Cooper &
JD Oborn
Barbie Snell
Paralegal and Legal Billing
Specialist for the Firm
Lou@cooper-larsen.com
Lou Engelhardt
Paralegal to J.D. Oborn
& Gary Cooper
Kellyn@cooper-larsen.com
Kellyn Allen
Lucy Melick
Lucy@cooper-larsen.com
Receptionist
Call us for appointment 208-235-1145
Each legal matter is different, and it's not possible to quote a fee without first reviewing your facts and circumstances. A variety of payment options may be available, depending on the nature of your case. For certain suits, including many criminal defense matters, a flat, one-time fee is appropriate. Other cases may call for an hourly fee arrangement, or in some types of cases a contingency fee arrangement may be possible, where you pay attorney’s fees only if you win.