Bradford E. Cook - Manchester, NH
Attorney at Sheehan Phinney
Non-Profit, Charitable & Religious Institutions Lawyers in Manchester, NH
1000 Elm Street 17th Floor Manchester, NH 03101
Manchester Non-Profit, Charitable & Religious Institutions Lawyer
Updated: 02/16/2026
Areas of Practice
- Non-Profit, Charitable & Religious Institutions
- Education Law
- Estate Planning and Probate
Attorney Information
Overview
Brad is head of the firm’s Estate Planning, Government Relations and Not-for-Profit, and Charitable and Religious Institutions Practice Groups. He is a past President of the firm and has practiced with Sheehan Phinney since 1973. Brad represents many colleges and schools, religious organizations throughout New England, and hospital, nursing home and other charitable and other not-for-profit clients, and practices general corporate law. He writes a regular column, “Cook on Concord,” which appears in the New Hampshire Business Review. As head of the firm’s Estate Planning and Probate Department, Brad counsels clients on drafting estate plans, planning for management of their affairs during retirement, senior living arrangements, and avoiding or minimizing the need for probate. He supervises the other attorneys and paralegals who handle Estate Planning and trust administration and probate of decedents’ estates from all of the firm’s offices. He is a member of the New Hampshire Estate Planning Council.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- New Hampshire 200: The state’s most influential business leaders, New Hampshire Business Review, 2019, 2021
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, 2015
- Good Samaritan Award, Pastoral Counseling Services, 2011
- Above and Beyond Award, New Hampshire Business and Industry Association, 2008
- Citizen of the Year, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce 2001
- Eugene M. Van Loan III Leadership Award, Easter Seals New Hampshire, 2001
- Volunteer of the Year, National Easter Seals, 2012
- UNH Alumni Meritorious Service Award, University of New Hampshire, 1980
- Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Manchester Lawyer of the Year, Non-Profit/Charities Law
- Best Lawyers in America® 2021 Manchester Lawyer of the Year, Non-Profit/Charities Law
- Best Lawyers in America® 2013 Manchester Lawyer of the Year, Non-Profit/Charities Law
- Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts & Estates, Non-Profit/Charities Law
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Cornell Law School,
Ithaca,
New York, 1973
J.D.
-
Cornell Law School,
Ithaca,
New York, 1973
-
Non Legal Education
-
University of New Hampshire,
Durham,
New Hampshire, 1976
B.A.
Honors: summa cum laude
-
University of New Hampshire,
Durham,
New Hampshire, 1976
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Shareholder
Pro Bono Activities
- Sustaining Life Fellow, New Hampshire Bar Foundation
- Co-Chair, New Hampshire Commission on Voter Confidence
- Easterseals National Board, Affiliate Relations Committee
- Advisory Board, University of New Hampshire at Manchester
- Leadership Manchester
- Leadership New Hampshire
- Steering Committee of the New Hampshire Forum on the Future
- Board of Directors, Canterbury Shaker Village
- General Counsel and an ex-officio member, Easter Seals New Hampshire and its affiliated entities in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine
- Chair, N.H. Ballot Law Commission, and served in the 1980s
- Chair, Warren B. Rudman Center Campaign
- Secretary, Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund, Camp Fatima and Camp Bernadette of the Diocese of Manchester
- Former President, Manchester Bar Association
- Chair, Easter Seals New Hampshire, Easter Seals Vermont, Easter Seals New York, the New Hampshire Easter Seals Telethon
- Secretary, Manchester Airport Authority
- Chair of Finance Committee, Manchester School Board
- Chairman, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
- Elected Manchester Charter Commissions in 1996 and 2003
- Delegate to the National Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2003 and 2005
Published Works
Articles
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Sheehan Phinney Capitol Group - Helping Navigate through State Government and Beyond
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What the Last Congress and President Obama Did to “Solve” the Estate Tax Dilemma
-
The New Form 990: What It Reveals About the IRS’ Tax-Exempt Agenda
-
New Hampshire Public Television
-
Congressional Inaction Means No Estate Tax - For The Moment
- Yesterday’s “I’ll get to that tomorrow” is here today!
- What Employers and Others Need to Know about New Hampshire’s New Gay Marriage Law
- From UMIFA to UPMIFA: Changes in NH Law Ease Restrictions on Expenditures From Endowments
- What in the World Does the New Hampshire Primary Have to do With Estate Planning and Retirement?
- Changes in Estate and Gift Tax Laws May Affect Many
- Health Care Advance Directives: New Focus
- Estate and Gift Tax After Avoiding the Cliff
Bar Admissions
- New Hampshire, 1973
Other Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Diocesan Attorneys Association
- New Hampshire Bar Association (Member)
Fraternities and Sororities
- Phi Beta Kappa
Photo
Contact
1000 Elm Street
17th Floor
Manchester, NH 03101
Phone: 603-945-9922
Fax: 603-627-8121
Email: Send a message
Website: http://www.sheehan.com
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