The Cochran Legend

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Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. - October 2, 1937 - March 29, 2005

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Long before Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. rose to international recognition as O.J. Simpson’s attorney, he was well respected in the legal community as a tireless advocate for victim’s rights. Born in Shreveport, LA, Johnnie moved with his family to California, where he would ultimately begin his prestigious legal career.

Education and Early Legal Career

Johnnie Cochran began his education at the University of California at Los Angeles, where he received his undergraduate degree in business administration. From there, he attended the Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, receiving his Juris Doctor.

In 1963, Johnnie began working in the criminal division of the City Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. After several years of public service, he opened a private law firm in Los Angeles, personally handling several civil and criminal cases. In 1978, Johnnie returned to public practice as Assistant District Attorney of Los Angeles.

Johnnie worked as Assistant District Attorney for three years before returning to private practice, founding what is now known as The Cochran Firm. His return to private practice took a new direction, seeing Johnnie focus all of his attention on obtaining large verdicts and settlements for victims of negligence.

Distinctions and Associations

Johnnie Cochran remains the only attorney in Los Angeles to have ever received both the “Civil Trial Lawyer of the Year” and the “Criminal Trial Lawyer of the Year” awards. In addition, Johnnie enjoyed the following distinctions:

  • “America’s Trial Lawyer of the Year,” The National Law Journal, 1995
  • “Headliners of the Year,” Time Magazine, 1999
  • “Top 50 Trial Attorneys,” Los Angeles Business Journal, 1999

In addition to these distinctions, in 1996 Johnnie was elected for membership into the Inner Circle of Advocates, an exclusive organization composed of the top 100 personal injury lawyers in America, and was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, an organization whose membership comprises the top 1 percent of trial lawyers nationally. Globally, Johnnie was inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, an organization comprised of the world’s leading trial attorneys.

Dedication to Ordinary Citizens

Johnnie Cochran was recognized by his peers as a leading trial lawyer, but he was also a dedicated civil libertarian and philanthropist. As part of his commitment to his community, Johnnie helped establish:

  • The Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Academy of Legal Studies and Community Service in East Orange, New Jersey
  • The Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Center for Early Learning at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles

In addition, Johnnie established scholarship funds for underprivileged youth at the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of New Mexico School of Law, and the Southern University School of Law in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

More than community outreach, Johnnie’s devotion to his fellow citizens was obvious in all of his legal pursuits. He sought not only justice for victims but to set precedent and evoke real change in the legal system. It was Johnnie’s dream to bring high-quality legal representation to all Americans who suffered at the hands of negligent, reckless, and unscrupulous individuals, corporations, and government entities. His legacy is today carried on by the hundreds of experienced attorneys working in the many offices of The Cochran Firm throughout the United States.

The attorneys at The Cochran Firm DC are honored to carry on Johnnie’s tradition: relentlessly seeking justice for all people, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

To learn more about our firm, please contact us to schedule a free consultation today. The Cochran Firm DC is a branch of the national Cochran Firm and offers exceptional representation for victims in the areas of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

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The Cochran Firm handles Medical Malpractice, Catastrophic Personal Injuries, Motor Vehicle Accidents & Wrongful Death Claims for clients throughout the United States of America. The information on this website does not constitute legal advice nor form an attorney-client relationship. Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
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