COLUMBIA, SC (January 13, 2026) – Wyche, a full-service law firm with offices across South Carolina, is pleased to announce that Will Cook, a nationally recognized environmental lawyer and preservation law scholar, has joined the firm. Cook brings extensive experience protecting nationally significant places, advising communities on preservation policy, and litigating complex land use and zoning matters in courts across the country.
“Will is known for the sophistication of his work and the impact of his counsel,” said Tally Casey, Chair and CEO of Wyche. “He combines sharp legal judgment with a deep understanding of how preservation and development intersect. His experience will strengthen our ability to help clients navigate land use, environmental regulation, and preservation challenges with clarity and strategic insight.”
Cook’s practice centers on safeguarding National Historic Landmarks and significant cultural landscapes through litigation, administrative advocacy, and preservation policy design. He has represented cities, towns, neighborhoods, and advocacy organizations in state and federal courts as well as before administrative bodies, guiding clients through high-stakes zoning, land use, and development disputes.
A trusted advisor to communities seeking to balance preservation with economic development, Cook focuses on making preservation law more efficient, effective, and predictable. He conducts peer benchmarking, ordinance analysis, and strategic evaluations to help jurisdictions strengthen local preservation frameworks.
Cook has argued cases across the country, including a landmark victory before the New Mexico Supreme Court that reinstated Mount Taylor’s designation on the State Register of Cultural Properties. He also designs innovative mitigation strategies and community benefit agreements under Sections 106 and 110(f) of the National Historic Preservation Act, securing meaningful protections for historic resources affected by development.
“I feel so fortunate to join Wyche, a firm I’ve long admired for its commitment to environmental conservation,” said Cook. “Communities across the country are navigating how to protect their most important places while supporting growth. I look forward to helping clients approach those decisions with clarity, strategy, and respect for their long-term goals.”
Cook is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and graduated cum laude from Furman University. He is active in numerous civic and professional organizations, serving as Vice President of Ladew Topiary Gardens; on the Board of the Valleys Planning Council; and on the Governance Committee and as Collections Co-Chair of the Maryland Center for History and Culture.
