Joe L. “Joey” Cope received his law degree from the Texas Tech University School of Law in 1986 and his certificate in dispute resolution from the Pepperdine University School of Law in 2002. 

Joey moved to Abilene in 1986 to practice law with a banking law and commercial litigation firm.   In 1989, he was invited to join the staff of Abilene Christian University. For seven years, Joey was the executive assistant to President Royce Money.  During that time he served as the chief planning officer and the chairman of the university’s budget and long range planning committees.  He also served one year as interim vice president for university advancement, overseeing fund raising, student recruiting and student financial services.  

In 1998, Joey was asked to reorganize The ACU Foundation, a separate corporation owned by the university managing more than $100 million in assets and marketing charitable gift opportunities.   

In 2000, the challenge was presented to establish a Center for Conflict Resolution at Abilene Christian University.  Joey was selected as its first director.  In that role, he directed an interdisciplinary graduate certificate program in conflict resolution and taught Negotiation, Mediation, and Advanced Conflict Management.  In 2006, the university created the Department of Conflict Resolution and initiated an online master of arts in conflict resolution and reconciliation.  Joey is an associate professor and chair of that department.  He had a central role in designing the program and developed a number of courses, including Negotiation & Mediation, Conflict Management Systems Design, and Dispute Resolution & Legal Systems.  He currently directs the semi-annual Residency Session in Abilene and serves as one of the practicum advisors.  

The Center (now known as the Duncum Center for Conflict Resolution) offers a variety of services.  Joey works with assistant director for program development, Lori Anne Shaw, in promoting and staffing Alternatives in Mediation – a mediation and conflict resolution service provided for ACU students, faculty and staff.  Joey also works with Dr. Jerry Strader, Mediator-in Residence, in supervising mediators for the West Texas Mediation Center – a partnership with the local Better Business Bureau.  He also coordinates Center services in consultation and conflict resolution for businesses, non-profit organizations, and churches.    

In addition to his activities with the University, Joey maintains a small law practice, concentrating his time in estate planning, probate, business, and settlement & negotiation.  He also is a visiting professor for the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine School of Law and the University of Arkansas – Little Rock. 

Joey serves as secretary to the State Bar of Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Council and as co-convener of the Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable.  A credentialed mediator of the Texas Mediators Credentialing Association, he is also a member of the Texas Association of Mediators and the Association for Conflict Resolution.

Joey and his wife, Nancy, have two sons and a precious granddaughter – and Zoe, the Foster Dog.  Joey serves as an elder in the Highland Church of Christ of Abilene.