Who was Johnnie Cochran?
Johnnie Cochran gained widespread recognition as an American attorney who specialized in handling high-profile and widely publicized cases of police brutality against the African-American community.
He was sought after by numerous notable individuals, including Michael Jackson, Sean Combs, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, Riddick Bowe, and Todd Bridges.
Nevertheless, the case that brought him into the limelight and gained him worldwide recognition was that of O.J. Simpson, a former American football player accused of committing two murders. This also propelled him to fame and made him one of the most esteemed attorneys in the world, as well as a celebrity in his own right.
Early Life & Education
Johnnie L Cochran, Jr. was born into the family of Johnnie L. Cochran Sr. and Hattie on October 2, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana, US. His father worked as an insurance salesman for ‘Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company’ and his mother sold Avon products. He came from a lineage of slaves through his great-grandfather.
In 1949, his family, along with countless other African-American families, relocated to the West Coast during the second wave of the ‘Great Migration’. They eventually made a home in Los Angeles.
Raised in a wealthy household that emphasized self-reliance, education, and open-mindedness, Cochran received his education from public schools and excelled academically.
He was one of approximately twenty-four African-American students enrolled at ‘Los Angeles High School’ during that period and graduated as the top student in his class in 1955.
He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics from the ‘University of California, Los Angeles’ (UCLA) in 1959. In 1962, he received his Juris Doctor from the ‘Loyola Law School’ and was also a distinguished member of the Kappa Alpha Psi collegiate fraternity, having earned the 45th Laurel Wreath.
Career
After being greatly influenced by Thurgood Marshall’s triumph in the Brown v. Board of Education case, Johnnie Cochran decided to dedicate his career to the field of law. In 1963, he began working as a deputy city attorney in the criminal division of Los Angeles after successfully passing the California bar exam.
In 1964, Cochran gained recognition for handling the legal case of Lenny Bruce, a polarizing comedian charged with obscenity. After two years, he left the legal system to start his law firm in Los Angeles, named Cochran, Atkins & Evans.
A turning point in Cochran’s career came when he represented a widow suing the police officers who killed her husband. Though he lost the case, it opened his eyes to the injustices faced by the black community.
Police abuse was rampant, and he saw the chance to make a difference. In the early 70s, he defended a 17-year-old gang member in a robbery trial. Within ten minutes, the teen was acquitted. By the late 70s, Cochran was known in the black community for taking on high-profile police brutality cases.
In 1978, Johnnie Cochran became the First Assistant District Attorney for Los Angeles County. He strengthened his political ties, improved his public image, and worked to reform the system from within.
In the early 80s, Cochran started his law firm. He won a case for the family of Ron Settles, a black college football player killed by police, and got them $760,000.
In 1995, Cochran defended O. J. Simpson in his ex-wife’s murder trial. He famously said, “If it doesn’t fit, acquit.” Critics thought he did poorly but convinced the jury that prosecutors didn’t prove Simpson’s guilt. He also made them believe the police planted evidence.
After the trial, Johnnie Cochran began regularly appearing as a commentator on legal-themed television programs and also had his show called “Johnny Cochran Tonight” on CourtTV.
Personal Life
In 1960, Johnnie Cochran married Barbara Berry Cochran and they divorced in 1977. In 1985, he married Sylvia Dale, but they also divorced in 2005. Due to his successful legal career, Cochran acquired properties in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and Manhattan. He is a father of three.
Cause of Death
In 2003, Johnnie Cochran was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had an operation in 2004. He died at his home in Los Angeles in March 2005. A memorial was held at the West Los Angeles Church of God in Christ before he was laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery.
Net Worth
Johnnie Cochran, a prominent American attorney, had a fortune of $8 million when he passed away in 2005. While he acted as legal counsel for numerous high-profile cases, Cochran is most notably known for his defense of O.J. Simpson in the infamous double murder trial.
In addition, he also represented famous figures such as Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Todd Bridges, Sean Combs, Snoop Dogg, and Riddick Bowe.
