what kind of lawyer was johnnie cochran

Was Johnny Cochran an assistant district attorney?

Johnnie Cochran, Jr. began his legal career in Los Angeles as a Deputy Attorney for the city's criminal division. Cochran worked his way through the ranks to accept a position as Assistant District Attorney for Los Angeles County.

Is Johnnie Cochran a good lawyer?

Cochran, Jr. has been recognized as an outstanding trial lawyer, civil libertarian and philanthropist throughout the world. As a seasoned litigator, Johnnie was considered to be one of the leading authorities on the criminal and civil justice system, as well as an international leader in the legal profession.

How did Johnnie Cochran become a lawyer?

He graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1959 and later earned a law degree from Loyola Law School (1962). After working for two years as a prosecutor for the city of Los Angeles, Cochran pursued a private career.

Where did Johnnie Cochran attend law school?

Loyola Law School, Los AngelesLoyola Marymount UniversityUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles High SchoolJohnnie Cochran/Education

What Did O.J. Simpson do to the Kardashians?

Robert George Kardashian (February 22, 1944 – September 30, 2003) was an American attorney and businessman. He gained recognition as O. J. Simpson's friend and defense attorney during Simpson's 1995 murder trial....Robert KardashianKnown forO. J. Simpson murder case11 more rows

Was OJ at Nicole's funeral?

June 16, 1994Nicole Brown Simpson / Date of burial

Who was the lawyer that defended O.J. Simpson?

Famed attorney F. Lee Bailey, who defended O.J. Simpson, dies at age 87. F. Lee Bailey, the flamboyant defense lawyer best known for his key role in O.J. Simpson's "Dream Team," has died, a longtime colleague said Thursday.

Who said if the glove doesn't fit?

Twenty-five years ago today, in his closing argument at the sensational O.J. Simpson double-murder trial in Los Angeles, lead defense lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran stood before the jurors and urged them to keep this in mind: “If it doesn't fit, you must acquit.”

What was Johnnie Cochran's job in 1982?

City of Los Angeles, deputy city attorney, 1963-65; private attorney, 1965-78; Los Angeles County, assistant district attorney, 1978-82; private attorney and head of law firm, 1982-2005; Cochran Firm, founder, 2001.

What is a Cochran?

The Cochran test is a non-parametric test for analyzing randomized complete block designs where the response variable is a binary variable (i.e., there are only two possible outcomes, which are coded as 0 and 1). The Cochran test assumes that there are c experimental treatments (c >= 2).

Who Was Johnnie Cochran?

Johnnie Cochran established himself as a sought after attorney dealing with high-profile police brutality cases involving the African American community . He attracted famous clients like Michael Jackson and led O. J. Simpson 's defense team in the 1995 murder trial. Amidst much debate over the case, Cochran entered the national spotlight and became a celebrity himself, making screen appearances and writing his memoirs.

Who is the lawyer who wrote Journey to Justice?

Cochran penned the books Journey to Justice (1996) and A Lawyer's Life (2002). He appeared on Court TV’s Inside America’s Courts and was also featured on a number of TV programs, including Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Chris Rock Show and The Roseanne Show as well as the Spike Lee film Bamboozled (2000). Cochran continued to take on new cases into the new millennium, ranging from work for clients like Abner Louima, who was tortured while in New York City police custody, and rapper/music mogul Sean "Puffy" Combs, to an anti-trust litigation issued against racing giant NASCAR.

Who was the Nazi dictator who was found not guilty of murder?

Cochran thus made controversial closing statements in which he compared the detective’s philosophy to that of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. Simpson was found not guilty in his murder trial, yet nonetheless faced civil litigation, with millions in damages awarded to the Brown and Goldman families.

Who was the attorney who took on the police abuse cases against African Americans?

In 1966, a Black motorist named Leonard Deadwyler, while attempting to get his pregnant wife to a hospital, was killed by police officer Jerold Bova. Cochran filed a civil suit on behalf of Deadwyler's family; though he lost, the attorney was nonetheless inspired to take on police abuse cases over the ensuing years. During the early 1980s, he oversaw a settlement for the family of African American football player Ron Settles, who died in a police cell under questionable circumstances. The following decade, Cochran won a huge, unprecedented court payment for a 13-year-old molested by an officer.

Who was charged with attempted murder?

Over the years, Cochran's roster included famous entertainers like actor Todd Bridges, who was charged with attempted murder, and pop icon Michael Jackson, with Cochran arranging an out-of-court settlement for the singer in relation to child molestation charges.

Was Pratt imprisoned?

Pratt was convicted and imprisoned, while Cochran maintained that the activist was railroaded by authorities, pushing for a retrial. (The conviction was eventually overturned after more than two decades. Pratt was released, with Cochran also overseeing a wrongful imprisonment suit.)

What did Cochran do in the 21st century?

At the beginning of the 21st century, Cochran oversaw 10 law firms throughout the country. He took on the role of chairman of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, a publicly funded agency that sought economic development for the neighbourhoods of Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood.

Who was Michael Jackson's lawyer?

His clients included celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Tupac Shakur as well as minority victims of police brutality. Cochran first gained national recognition in 1994 when he joined the legal team defending Simpson, who was accused of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.

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.

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:

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:

Where did Cochran get his law degree?

After graduating from UCLA, Cochran earned a law degree from Loyola University. He spent two years in the Los Angeles city attorney's office before establishing his own practice.

How many lawyers does Cochran have?

After returning to private practice, Cochran built his firm into a personal injury giant with more than 100 lawyers and offices around the country.

How did Johnnie Cochran die?

Cochran Jr. ( search ), who became a household name when he defended O.J. Simpson ( search) against murder charges, died of a brain tumor on Tuesday at the age of 67.

What did Jackson say about Johnnie Cochran?

Reacting to news of Cochran's death Tuesday, Jackson had kind words for the lawyer he considered "a great humanitarian.". "Johnnie Cochran was a true gentleman who embodied class, brilliance, honesty and integrity," Jackson said in a statement. "His fight for justice transcended color, age or economic status. ... I loved him, and I will miss him.

What was the Simpson trial known for?

In a trial that involved celebrity and domestic abuse, the Simpson trial became best known for dividing the country along racial lines. Cochran had accused a group of Los Angeles police officers, led by Mark Fuhrman, of framing his client.

When did Cochran help Pratt win his freedom?

When Cochran helped Pratt win his freedom in 1997 he called the moment "the happiest day of my life practicing law.". He won a $760,000 award in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Ron Settles, a black college football star who died in police custody in 1981.

Did Cochran argue before the Supreme Court?

While Cochran never argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, a case involving him is on the docket this session. Tory v. Cochran (search) involves a bitter ex-client who was ordered to never display a sign or speak about Cochran again. During arguments last Tuesday, justices seemed skeptical of Cochran's attorney's claim that the injunction did not violate the First Amendment.

Where did Johnnie Cochran go to law school?

He would continue his education at the Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, where he would receive his Juris Doctor in 1963.

When did Johnnie Cochran start private practice?

Switching to private practice. In 1965 , Johnnie Cochran switched to the other side of the bench, entering private practice with Gerald Lenior, a prominent local attorney. According to Jrank.org, that partnership did not last long, and by the next year, Cochran had formed a new firm called Cochran, Atkins & Evans.

Why was Johnnie Cochran so famous?

This is because Cochran had nothing to do with O.J.'s defense team in the beginning.

Why did Johnnie Cochran keep his private life out of the headlines?

This in part came from some disturbing accusations leveled against him by his first wife and an affair during their marriage.

What is Johnnie Cochran's legacy?

Cochran is an important figure in the African American and social justice community. His work and leadership have had a lasting legacy almost two decades after his death, and in today's America, with the death of George Floyd and the nationwide protest in the summer of 2020, one wonders what Johnnie Cochran's role would be in the national conversation. Here is the untold truth of Johnnie Cochran.

What episode did Cochran represent a record company?

As for actual portrayals of Cochran, in a season two episode of South Park, Cochran represented a record company and then the character Chef in two lawsuits. For his closing statements, instead of discussing the case, Cochran rambled about the Star Wars character Chewbacca, which led to his victories.

What did Cochran's parents do?

Given his parents' background, it's easy to see what led Cochran to develop his rhetorical and deal-making skills in his adult life . As told by Sun Signs, his father worked as an insurance salesman, and his mother worked as an Avon Lady, selling beauty products. His dining room table was a lesson in negotiation and oratory techniques.

Where was Johnnie Cochran born?

Childhood & Early Life. Johnnie L Cochran, Jr. was born on October 2, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana, US in the family of Johnnie L. Cochran Sr. and his wife, Hattie. His father was with ‘Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company’ as an insurance salesman and his mother used to sell products of Avon. His great-grandfather was a slave.

When did Cochran join Cherry Givens and Smith?

Years later in 1997 he joined ‘Cochran Cherry Givens & Smith’, and this partnership provided the launching pad for ‘The Cochran Firm’ which eventually expanded as a national law firm with presence in around 15 states.

What was Sean Combs charged with?

Cochran successfully handled the case of Sean Combs who was charged with weapon stealing and bribery in 2001. The following year he told Comb that this case would mark his last criminal case. He took retirement after this and returned other criminal cases including that of Allen Iverson and R. Kelly.

What was the name of the famous person who was incarcerated for obscenity?

His early celebrity cases included that of comedian Lenny Bruce that landed up in 1964 when the latter was incarcerated with obscenity charges.

Who defended Simpson in the trial?

Cochran played a leadership role in the defence team of lawyers of Simpson and successfully defended the latter in a highly publicised and televised trial that became somewhat of a “trial of the century”.

Who handled Ron Settles?

He handled Ron Settles’ case, a black football player who was arrested by Signal Hill Police Department and subsequently had a highly controversial death in his jail cell where his severely beaten body was found hanging on June 2, 1981. Cochran represented the case and won US$760,000 for Settles’ family.

Did Cochran go to school?

Coming from a well-off family who accentuated him to be independent, well-educated and unprejudiced, Cochran attended public schools and excelled in his studies.