Meet the dedicated attorneys behind Chandler, Cook, & Fitzgerald PLLC—combining experience, passion, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients.
Born and raised in Liberty County, attorneys James “JD” Chandler, Emily Cook, and Josh Fitzgerald are dedicated to serving our community with personalized, compassionate legal representation. With over 30 years of combined experience in top-tier law firms, they bring big-city expertise and small-town values to every case, ensuring our clients feel valued and supported. Our team is admitted to federal courts across Texas, ready to handle even the most complex legal matters.
Our team’s combined 45+ years of legal experience has enabled us to provide thoughtful, strategic, and results-driven representation across a wide range of legal areas.
Our team’s combined 45+ years of legal experience has enabled us to provide thoughtful, strategic, and results-driven representation across a wide range of legal areas.
info@ccflegal.com
(936) 336-4026
Liberty Location
1203 Trinity St, Liberty, TX 77575
Moss Hill Location
17153 Hwy 146 N, Liberty, TX 77575
At Chandler, Cook, and Fitzgerald PLLC, we are committed to providing personalized, results-driven legal solutions. Contact us today to take the first step toward resolution and peace of mind.
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Managing Attorney
A proud Liberty native, JD Chandler is deeply committed to serving the legal needs of his community. After earning his law degree from South Texas College of Law —while balancing night classes and a full-time job at Exxon—JD gained invaluable experience working in admiralty and maritime insurance defense in Houston. This foundation in high-stakes litigation shaped his comprehensive understanding of complex legal challenges.
In late 2011, JD returned to Liberty to open his own private practice, driven by a passion for helping his neighbors, local businesses, and families navigate their legal journeys. With more than fifteen years of experience, JD brings both a personal investment and metropolitan-level expertise to every case he handles.
JD is married to Monie Hard Chandler, and together they are raising four wonderful children. His deep roots in Liberty and dedication to family life give him a unique understanding of the community’s values, allowing him to offer personalized, compassionate counsel to his clients.
Managing Attorney
Emily’s career has intertwined law and public policy from the beginning. Emily worked five legislative sessions in the Texas Capitol which helped give her practical experience in shaping public policy and being involved in politics at every level of government. Emily particularly relishes cases that are an opportunity to stand up for clients who have been hurt by government overreach. On the other end of the spectrum, Emily enjoys helping families provide for their medically vulnerable loved ones, whether that is an elderly parent or a medically fragile child. Emily also enjoys helping nonprofits achieve their mission by eliminating the stress of legal compliance and helping nonprofits make the best strategic structuring decisions to make the biggest impact in their sphere of influence.
For each client that comes to our office, Emily’s approach is to recognize that often, those in need of legal services are facing some of the most stressful situations in their lives. Our office strives to keep clients up to date on the progress of their matters on a routine basis. We also offer non-traditional hours and modes of communication to make retaining legal services more accessible to a broader swath of individuals who work a normal workday and week.
Emily serves on numerous boards, including President of the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels of South Liberty County and as a publicly-elected official of the Liberty County Central Appraisal Board of Directors. Emily’s legal career began as the long-time general counsel of Texas Right to Life and included a stint as the assistant general counsel to the Republican Party of Texas. She now serves as the Texas attorney for Pacific Justice Institute, a 501c3 national legal defense organization representing clients to preserve and protect parental rights, the sanctity of Life, and religious liberties. Emily has experience in employment litigation and constitutional claims in federal court.
Emily earned her law degree from Baylor University School of Law and her B.A. in Political Science from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a native of Liberty County, Texas. Emily and her husband Justus live in Liberty, Texas with their two young sons, Andrew and Connor and daughter Abigail!
Managing Attorney & Judge
A Liberty County native, Josh was born and raised in Moss Hill, Texas, by his parents, Phil and Amy Fitzgerald. Josh is an accomplished attorney and judge who possesses unique insight as a small business owner. His professional journey spans over 16 years, enriched by experience across law firms, in-house counsel roles, solo legal practice, and small business ventures in the construction and real estate fields. A graduate of Texas A&M University and The University of Texas School of Law, Joshua’s career is marked by determination, innovative thinking, and an all-encompassing understanding of the law.
Beginning his career at a large international law firm, Josh quickly built a reputation for keen legal insight. His tenure at one of the most well-respected civil litigation boutique firms in Houston further honed his skills, setting the stage for his success beyond law firm practice. His experience culminated in a pivotal role as Associate General Counsel at one of the largest real estate companies in Texas, where he showcased a deep understanding of commercial, construction, and labor and employment law.
Josh’s accomplishments are considerable. He has navigated complex contract negotiations, revamped company processes, negotiated intricate dispute resolutions, and made strides in the courtroom by both securing defense verdicts and successfully prosecuting claims obtaining judgments on behalf of clients in trial and appellate courts, including before the Texas Supreme Court. Additionally, Josh serves his community as a member on the board of directors of Liberty County Appraisal District, the board of directors of Liberty County Child Protective Services, and as the Municipal Judge for the City of Hardin, Texas, demonstrating his commitment to justice and public service.
Beyond his legal work, Joshua is also a successful small business owner. This entrepreneurial experience adds a unique dimension to his legal expertise, providing him with an intimate understanding of the challenges and legal needs of businesses.
In addition to his impressive professional career, Josh is deeply committed to his family. He and his wife, Barbra, are proud parents of their son, Philip. This balance of work and family showcases Joshua’s ability to juggle demanding roles with grace and determination.
From advising executives to managing sensitive relations and navigating complex legal terrain, Joshua Fitzgerald stands out as an exceptional legal professional. His comprehensive legal knowledge, business acumen, and unwavering dedication make him an asset in any legal situation, while his personal integrity and commitment to his community and family underscore the depth of his character.
