- 2016 Gadsden St. Columbia, SC 29201
- 803-256-4082
Legal Advocacy
RETIRED/OF COUNSEL
Community involvement:
For more than fifty years, John Koon has dedicated his life to serving the people of South Carolina. As a member of Koon Cook & Walters, John built a practice grounded in integrity, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to helping individuals and families through some of life’s most difficult challenges. Today, he continues to serve the firm as Of Counsel, providing decades of experience, wisdom, and mentorship to the firm’s attorneys while remaining a trusted resource for clients.
John began practicing law with Dallas D. Ball, P.A., where he served from 1974 until 1979. He
then established John K. Koon, P.A., leading the firm for more than a decade. As the practice
continued to grow, Steve Cook became a partner, and the firm became Koon & Cook. With the
addition of another generation of leadership, the firm later evolved into Koon Cook & Walters,
continuing the tradition of client-focused representation that John established decades earlier.
Motivated by a desire to serve others through the legal profession, John attended the University
of South Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. He continued his education
at the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1974.
That same year, he was admitted to the South Carolina Bar and began what would become a
distinguished legal career spanning more than five decades
John’s story began on his family’s farm in Prosperity, South Carolina, where he learned the value
of honesty, perseverance, and hard work from an early age. Those lessons would become the
foundation of both his personal life and his legal career. Before attending law school, John
proudly served in the South Carolina National Guard and worked in several manufacturing
plants, experiences that gave him a firsthand appreciation for the lives of hardworking South
Carolinians and the challenges they face every day
Throughout his career, John’s practice focused primarily on personal injury litigation and
criminal defense. He earned a reputation as a skilled trial attorney known for his thoughtful
counsel, meticulous preparation, and unwavering dedication to achieving justice for his clients
John is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of South Carolina, the United States
District Court for the District of South Carolina, the United States Court of Appeals for the
Fourth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Over the course of his career, he has
been involved in numerous significant appellate decisions, including Baggerly v. CSX, Elam v.
Elam, Stokes v. First National Bank, Risinger v. Risinger, and Beall v. Beall.
Although John has transitioned from the demands of full-time practice, his commitment to the
firm remains as strong as ever. As Of Counsel, he continues to advise the attorneys of Koon
Cook & Walters, drawing upon decades of courtroom experience to help guide legal strategy,
mentor younger lawyers, and uphold the values upon which the firm was founded. His insight
and perspective remain an invaluable asset to both the firm and its clients
John’s greatest pride is his family. He and his wife, Darnell, a native of Winnsboro, South
Carolina, have been married for more than 60 years and have built a life centered on faith,
family, and their South Carolina roots. Together they have two children, six granddaughters, one
grandson, and one great-grandson, all of whom bring tremendous joy to their lives.
Outside the office, John enjoys spending time with his family, attending his grandchildren’s
sporting events, and working on his collection of classic automobiles. He is an active member of
Riverland Hills Baptist Church, where he serves on the church’s Disaster Response Ministry,
continuing a lifelong commitment to serving others both inside and outside the courtroom.
John’s legacy extends far beyond the courtroom. Through decades of dedicated service, he has
earned the respect of clients, colleagues, and the legal community across South Carolina. His
principles of integrity, professionalism, faith, and service continue to define the culture of Koon
Cook & Walters and inspire the next generation of attorneys who carry that legacy forward.
