---
title: "Wanda J. Cooper | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wanda-j-cooper-va-virginia-beach-general-district-court"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-26"
---

# Wanda J. Cooper

Virginia Beach General District Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Virginia Beach General District Court
- State: Virginia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### cell phones and electronic devices

Scope: statewide

Virginia courts commonly restrict cell phones and other electronic devices in court buildings; counsel and litigants should check the local court policy before arrival.

Evidence excerpt: Most courts in Virginia do not allow you to bring a cell phone or other electronic device into the building.

[Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster](https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf)
- [Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy](https://selfhelp.vacourts.gov/node/30/cell-phone-electronic-device-policy)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wanda-j-cooper-va-virginia-beach-general-district-court",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wanda-j-cooper-va-virginia-beach-general-district-court",
      "name": "Wanda J. Cooper | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Wanda J. Cooper, Virginia Beach General District Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.",
      "dateModified": "2026-07-26",
      "isPartOf": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website"
      },
      "mainEntity": {
        "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wanda-j-cooper-va-virginia-beach-general-district-court#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wanda-j-cooper-va-virginia-beach-general-district-court#judge",
      "name": "Wanda J. Cooper",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wanda-j-cooper-va-virginia-beach-general-district-court",
      "jobTitle": "Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "Virginia Beach General District Court"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.vacourts.gov/static/directories/judges_rule115.pdf"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "KnowJudges",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Virginia",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/virginia"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Wanda J. Cooper",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wanda-j-cooper-va-virginia-beach-general-district-court"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Biography

### Professional career

- Presiding Judge of the 2nd Judicial District Court (General District Court) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, appointed in 2023
- Court Contact: Clerk’s Office, 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

### Education

- Regent University School of Law — J.D. (2002)
- B.S. in Political Science (minor in Criminal Justice) — Old Dominion University

### Additional information

- Appointment: Joined the bench in 2023, filling the vacancy created by the elevation of Hon. Afshin Farashahi to the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court.
- Lawyer of the Year (2015)
- In 2005, she founded The Cooper Law Firm
- handling contract negotiations, healthcare issues, personal injury matters, and franchise law.
- focusing on criminal and traffic defense in state and federal courts.
- Phone: (757) 385‐8531.
- Before becoming a judge, Cooper held the role of General Counsel for Sona International Corporation
- Her firm was named Minority Business of the Year by the City of Virginia Beach.
- Cooper has held leadership roles in the Minority Business Council for the City of Virginia Beach, served on the Tidewater Community College Real Estate Foundation Board, and was on the Governing Board of Green Run Collegiate.
- A native of Virginia Beach, she enjoys golf and spending time with family and friends.
- For case information or court schedules, visit the Virginia Beach General District Court website.