Johnnie
Cochran was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1937. He received his bachelor's degree in
business administration from the University of California at Los Angeles. Mr. Cochran
graduated from the Loyola University School of Law in 1962.
In 1963, he began his legal career in Los Angeles, California as a
Deputy City Attorney for the city's criminal division. He remained in that position for
three years before co-founding Cochran, Atkins and Evans. The firm practiced civil and
criminal cases.
In 1977, after several victories in the court room, he was
honored by the L.A. Criminal Courts Bar Association as the "Criminal Trial Lawyer of
the Year". Mr. Cochran is the only attorney ever to receive the Trail Lawyer of the
Year award from both the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association and the Criminal Courts Bar
Association. He returned to public service in 1978, when he became the first
African-American Assistant District Attorney of Los Angelas County. He was the first
African American to hold the position. In 1981, Cochran formed the law
practice of Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. The firm specialized in entertainment law,
criminal defense, public financing and personal injury litigation. In 1982, he settled a
case with the state of California for a record amount.
In 1990, Cochran expanded his reach to Washington, DC under
the name of Cochran, Mitchell & Lotkin. In 1993, he was inducted into The American
College of Trial Lawyers, the preeminent organization for the top 1% of trial lawyers. He
is a member of the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American
College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Cochran was also inducted into the Inner Circle of Advocates
which is composed of the country's top 100 plaintiff lawyers. His autobiography, Journey
to Justice, is a national best-seller.
In September 1994, Cochran was selected as one of the Best
Lawyers in America. He and his wife received the Golden Bell Award.
Johnnie L. Cochran has represented several high profile
clients. They include O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, Reginald Denny, Geronimo Pratt
(former Black Panther), Todd Bridges, Abner Louima, Angela Igwe, Cynthia Wiggins and Sean
Puffy Combs.
Mr. Cochran's Atlanta office can be reached at: 404-521-2777
Johnnie
Cochran was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1937. He received his bachelor's degree in
business administration from the University of California at Los Angeles. Mr. Cochran
graduated from the Loyola University School of Law in 1962.