Sylvia Cooper proved every day that the law can be an instrument of justice if you insist on using it that way. She never stopped insisting.
4 months ago
Sylvia Jean Cooper
April 17, 1963 – February 22, 2026 · 62 years
"Her kindness was not gentle — it was bold and deliberate."
Biography
Sylvia Jean Cooper spent her career as a public defender in Atlanta, Georgia, fighting for people who could not fight for themselves. Born in rural Georgia, Sylvia was the first in her family to graduate from college and later from law school. She took on cases others turned away, worked nights and weekends without extra pay, and mentored young attorneys throughout her career. Sylvia retired early due to illness and spent her final years writing a memoir and tending to an enormous vegetable garden. She is survived by her husband Roy and daughter Naomi.
Messages & Tributes (8)
+ Write a MessageSylvia was my public defender in 2004. She believed in me when the entire system did not. I have been free for 22 years because of her.
4 months ago
My mother was my hero. Not the abstract kind. The real kind — who showed up, did the hard work, and never asked for applause.
4 months ago
Sylvia was the most determined person I have ever known. When she decided something was right, there was no arguing. I tried for 32 years. She was always right anyway.
4 months ago
We graduated law school together in 1988. Even then you knew Sylvia was going to matter. She mattered enormously.
4 months ago
She grew the most enormous tomatoes I've ever seen and gave them all away. That's who she was — even the garden was communal.
4 months ago
I read Sylvia's memoir manuscript before she finished it. It was devastating and funny and profoundly honest. I hope someone publishes it.
4 months ago
She mentored me through my first year as a public defender. Her rule: if you leave the office before your client does, you're not working hard enough.
4 months ago