Theodore M. Cooperstein

After two decades of experience as a federal prosecutor, Ted Cooperstein co-founded Clouthier Cooperstein, PLLC to fight for those who encounter negative experiences with our justice system in the State of Mississippi. Most recently employed in the Southern District of Mississippi United States Attorney’s Office, Ted is an accomplished attorney who has litigated numerous criminal and civil appeals in state and federal courts across the United States. His depth of experience and insight into the Government and justice system offers unparalleled knowledge to represent individuals on appeal. Ted knows how the system is supposed to work. Ted has briefed and argued appeals in countless United States Circuit Courts and multiple states, including Mississippi. Among other states and federal courts, Ted is admitted to practice in the State of Mississippi, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Ted’s breadth and depth of experience covers all aspects of criminal cases, from investigation through indictment, trial, appeal, and postconviction. In his career as a prosecutor, Ted gained deep familiarity with the Government’s burden in all phases of trial, which he now brings to Clouthier Cooperstein, PLLC. Ted has come to know the wide variety of people and span of communities across the State of Mississippi, and he is committed to serving all who need our help.

Outside his government experience, Ted has litigated a wide variety of civil suits from business commercial and financial disputes to Federal Tort Claims Act and FOIA disputes, civil rights claims and international human rights cases. He also has represented numerous clients before the Supreme Court of the United States, often filing friend of the court or amicus curiae briefs.

Ted is a military veteran who started as an Army ROTC scholarship student in college and served as a military intelligence officer focusing on special forces operations. He retired from the Army Reserve in 2011 as a Lieutenant Colonel. His assignments included the 82d Airborne Division; the 11th Special Forces Group, 1st Battalion; Theater Special Operations Commands in CENTCOM, PACOM and Korea; and U.S. Special Operations Command. Ted deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Enduring Freedom and also served in Korea, Thailand, the UK and Hawaii. His awards include the parachute badges of Canada, the United Kingdom, Jordan, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea.

A knowledgeable and learned scholar, Ted has taught courses in criminal law and civil rights liability, as well as written and published a variety of legal articles and public opinion editorials. He is a Lincoln Fellow of the Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship and Political Philosophy. Since law school, Ted has been active in the practice group leadership of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies.

Ted lives outside Jackson, Mississippi with his wife and two daughters. His accomplishments outside the practice of law include being a four-time champion on the TV game show Jeopardy!. His interests in addition to law and legal history include firearms, military history, spy novels and science fiction.

Government Appointments

• Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Mississippi, 2018-2022
• General Counsel, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2017-2018.
• Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Florida, 2007-2017.
• Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Maryland, 2006.
• Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 2003-2006.
• Assistant General Counsel, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1995-1998.
• Law Clerk to the Hon. Morris S. Arnold (W.D. Ark.), now Senior Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1987-1988.