who was a better lawyer johnnie cochran or

by Colby Labadie IV 8 min read

Who is attorney Johnnie Cochran?

Mar 29, 2005 · Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. October 2, 1937 – March 29, 2005. Johnnie L. 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 ...

Why did Cody Cochran decide to become a lawyer?

Jan 21, 2016 · Education and Early Career. Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. was born on October 2, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Hattie and Johnnie L. Cochran Sr. The family moved to California in 1943, where the ...

Was Cochran the'people's lawyer'?

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

Was Johnnie Cochran a good lawyer for OJ Simpson?

Answer (1 of 3): Inspired by Thurgood Marshall and the legal victory Thurgood won in Brown v. Board of Education, Cochran decided to dedicate his life to practicing law. Cochran felt his career was a calling, a double opportunity to work for what …

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Apr 13, 2021 · According to The Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame, Johnnie Cochran became the first African American assistant district attorney in Los Angeles when he was hired to the position in 1978. He said that joining the government was the best way to become one of the "good guys" that can fight for justice within the justice system.

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Who is the greatest lawyer of all time?

#1 Abraham Lincoln

Stuart. Lincoln represented clients in both civil and criminal matters. In all, Lincoln and his partners handled over 5,000 cases.

Was Johnny 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.

Who was O.J. Simpson's best lawyer?

Robert Shapiro

As defense chair, Shapiro was called the "architect" of the Simpson defense for building the high-profile legal team that would later be dubbed the "Dream Team." Shapiro led the defense team through much of the trial before Johnnie Cochran took over as the lead chair.

Who is the best lawyer on the planet?

Here are the top 10 highest paid criminal lawyers in the world:
  1. Jose Baez. Jose Baez is the best lawyer in the world, with a net worth of $7 million. ...
  2. Willie E. Gary. ...
  3. John Branca. John graduated from UCLA Law School with a law degree. ...
  4. Vernon Jordan. ...
  5. Harish Salve. ...
  6. Vikkie Ziegler. ...
  7. Stacey Gardner. ...
  8. Howard K.

How did the gloves not fit O.J. Simpson?

The glove was covered in blood. According to the prosecution, that blood seeped into the fibers of the leather and shrunk it, thus explaining why Simpson's hand did not fit inside.Sep 30, 2020

Does the Chewbacca defense work?

As a Chewbacca defense distracts and misleads, it is an example of a red herring. It is also an example of an irrelevant conclusion, a type of informal fallacy in which one making an argument fails to address the issue in question.

Did Robert Kardashian know OJ guilty?

“It says in Caitlyn's book, 'Robert Kardashian knew O.J. Simpson was guilty, but joined the defense team to get back at his remarried ex,'” Kim Kardashian reads. “'Robert told Caitlyn in secret after the O.J. murder trial that he believed his friend was guilty. '”Sep 28, 2017

How is Robert Kardashian related to O.J. Simpson?

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.

Who defended Robert Kardashian?

4. Robert Kardashian and OJ Simpson. Robert Kardashian became well-known for defending his friend O.J. Simpson in a murder trial.

Who is Harvey Specter based on?

Gabriel Macht
Macht in 2013
BornGabriel Swann Macht January 22, 1972 New York City, U.S.
Other namesGabriel Swann
EducationCarnegie Mellon University (BFA)
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Who is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice area
  • Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Employment lawyer: $87,000.
  • Real Estate attorney: $86,000.
  • Divorce attorney: $84,000.
  • Immigration attorney: $84,000.
  • Estate attorney: $83,000.
  • Public Defender: $63,000.
Apr 24, 2022

Who is the best lawyer in the world 2021?

Jun 29, 2020 — Top 10 Best Lawyers In The World 2021 · John Branca · Jane Wanjiru Michuki · Roy Black · Willie E. Gary · Judy Sheindlin · Bill Neukom · William Lerach (5)… Howard K. SternStacey GardnerVikki ZieglerHarish SalveVernon JordanJohn BrancaWillie E.

Who was Johnnie Cochran?

Johnnie Lee Cochran Jr. ( / ˈkɒkrən /; October 2, 1937 – March 29, 2005) was an American lawyer and civil activist best known for his leadership role in the defense and criminal acquittal of O. J. Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

What was Johnnie Cochran's show after the Simpson trial?

After the Simpson trial, Cochran was a frequent commentator in law-related television shows. Additionally, he hosted his own show, Johnnie Cochran Tonight, on CourtTV. With the Simpson fame also came movie deals.

When did Cochran return to the District Attorney's Office?

In 1978 , Cochran returned to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office in the leadership position of First Assistant District Attorney. Though he took a pay cut to do so, joining the government was his way of becoming "one of the good guys, one of the very top rung.".

What did Cochran say in closing arguments?

During closing arguments in the Simpson trial, Cochran uttered the now famous phrase, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit." He used the phrase, which had been devised by fellow defense team member Gerald Uelmen, as a way to try to persuade the jury that Simpson could not have murdered Nicole Brown Simpson nor Ron Goldman. In a dramatic scene, Simpson appeared to have difficulty getting the glove on; stained with blood of both victims and Simpson, it had been found at the crime scene.

What was the Supreme Court ruling in Tory v. Cochran?

Cochran. The court ruled 7–2 that in light of Cochran's death, an injunction limiting the demonstrations of Ulysses Tory "amounts to an overly broad prior restraint upon speech." Two justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, said that Cochran's death made it unnecessary for the court to rule. Lower courts, before Cochran died, held that Tory could not make any public comments about Cochran.

Who was the first celebrity prosecutor?

After passing the California bar exam in 1963, Cochran took a position in Los Angeles as a deputy city attorney in the criminal division. In 1964, the young Cochran prosecuted one of his first celebrity cases, Lenny Bruce, a comedian who had recently been arrested on obscenity charges. Two years later, Cochran entered private practice. Soon thereafter, he opened his own firm, Cochran, Atkins & Evans, in Los Angeles.

Who was Abner Louima?

Cochran successfully represented Abner Louima, a Haitian immigrant living in Brooklyn who was sodomized with a broken broomstick by officer Justin Volpe while in police custody. Louima was awarded an $8.75 million settlement, the largest police brutality settlement in New York City. Tension broke out between Louima's original lawyers and the new team headed by Cochran. The former team felt that Cochran and his colleagues were trying to take control of the entire trial.

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.

When did the trial of the century start?

The “trial of the century,” as it was dubbed, began in January 1995 and was among the most publicized in history, followed by millions around the world. Cochran, displaying his trademark style, came to lead the team, with some conflict rising among the attorneys amidst sensational proceedings.

Who killed Leonard Deadwyler?

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.

Who was Johnnie Cochran?

Johnnie Cochran was a very flamboyant performer in the court room. He was a dramatic actor, a preacher and a master communicator. The secret to his success was being able to capture the attention of the jury and convince them of his client’s innocence. When Cochran uttered his most famous line after O.J.

Who is Peter Wendt?

Peter Wendt is a lawyer turned freelance journalist living and working in Austin, TX. While he is an admirer of Johnnie Cochran’s work, Peter knows that there are tons of other amazing lawyers out there, such as these Philadelphia Defense Attorneys. Bio. Twitter.

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.

Was Johnnie Cochran still in Hollywood?

Despite his work within the Black community and with people without the strongest financial means, Johnnie Cochran was still connected to Hollywood. Cochran's history of representing Black celebrities was well-known even before hitching his wagon to O.J. Simpson. In fact, Simpson was not even the most well-known celebrity Cochran represented in 1994. According to Bustle, that same year, Cochran had represented Michael Jackson in his child molestation trial, which ended in a settlement and no admission of guilt.

Where was Johnnie Cochran born?

Johnnie Cochran's early life. Long before the "Trial of the Century" and parodies on network television, Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on October 2, 1937, to Johnnie L. Cochran Sr. and his wife Hattie.

What was Johnnie Cochran's highlight?

Simpson trial would be the highlight of Johnnie Cochran's career: He'd successfully acquitted one of his most well-known clients and put the entire Los Angeles Police Department on trial for their history of brutality and racial abuse. However, according to The Washington Post, overturning the conviction of Geronimo Pratt is what Cochran said was "the happiest day" of his legal practice.

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.

Do lawyers get blips?

The vast majority of lawyers and attorneys in the United States barely register as blips on the radar of popular culture. In the best-case scenario, they might find themselves in the newspaper or being interviewed on television if a case they're a part of makes national or local news headlines. However, their star typically flames out once the case ends.

Who was the first African American assistant district attorney in Los Angeles?

According to The Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame, Johnnie Cochran became the first African American assistant district attorney in Los Angeles when he was hired to the position in 1978. He said that joining the government was the best way to become one of the "good guys" that can fight for justice within the justice system.

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Overview

Clients

Before the Simpson case, Cochran had achieved a reputation as a "go-to" lawyer for the rich, as well as a successful advocate for minorities in police brutality and civil rights cases. However, the controversial and dramatic Simpson trial made Cochran more widely known, generating a variety of opinions about him.
Cochran had often liked to say that he worked "not only for the OJs, but also the No Js". In other …

Early life

Cochran was born in 1937 in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father, Johnnie Cochran Sr. (1916–2018), was an insurance salesman and his mother sold Avon products. The family relocated to the West Coast during the second wave of the Great Migration, settling in Los Angeles in 1949. Cochran went to local schools and graduated first in his class from Los Angeles High School in 1955. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics from the University of California, Los Ang…

Legal practice

Inspired by Thurgood Marshall and the legal victory that Marshall won in Brown v. Board of Education, Cochran decided to dedicate his life to practicing law. Cochran felt his career was a calling, a double opportunity to work for what he considered to be right and to challenge what he considered wrong; he could make a difference by practicing law. In A Lawyer's Life, Cochran wrote, "I read …

Illness and death

In December 2003, Cochran was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In April 2004, he underwent surgery, which led him to stay away from the media. Shortly thereafter, he told the New York Post that he was feeling well and was in good health.
He died from the brain tumor on March 29, 2005, at his home in Los Angeles. Public viewing of his casket was conducted on April 4, at the Angelus Funeral Home and April 5, at Second Baptist Ch…

Posthumous ruling

On May 31, 2005, two months after Cochran's death, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its opinion on Tory v. Cochran. The court ruled 7–2 that in light of Cochran's death, an injunction limiting the demonstrations of Ulysses Tory "amounts to an overly broad prior restraint upon speech." Two justices, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas, said that Cochran's death made it unnecessary for the court to rule. Lower courts, before Cochran died, held that Tory could not make any public co…

Legacy

• On January 24, 2006, Los Angeles Unified School District officials unanimously approved the renaming of Mount Vernon Middle School, Cochran's boyhood middle school, to Johnnie L Cochran Jr. Middle School in his honor. The decision received mixed responses.
• In 2007, the three-block stretch of the street in front of the school was renamed "Johnnie Cochran Vista".

In popular culture

After the Simpson trial, Cochran was a frequent commentator in law-related television shows. Additionally, he hosted his own show, Johnnie Cochran Tonight, on CourtTV. With the Simpson fame also came movie deals.
Actor Phil Morris played attorney Jackie Chiles, a character parody of Cochran, in several episodes of Seinfeld. He was satirized in the "Chef Aid" episode of the animated sitcom South Park, in whic…