Johnnie Cochran

Johnnie Cochran
Cochran in 2001
Born
Johnnie Lee Cochran Jr.

(1937-10-02)October 2, 1937
DiedMarch 29, 2005(2005-03-29) (aged 67)
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Loyola Marymount University (JD)
Known forO. J. Simpson murder case
MovementCivil rights
Spouses
  • Barbara Berry
    (m. 1960⁠–⁠1977)
  • Sylvia Dale
    (m. 1985⁠–⁠2005)
Children3
Websitecochranfirm.com

Johnnie Lee Cochran Jr.[1] (/ˈkɒkrən/ KOK-rən; October 2, 1937 – March 29, 2005) was an American attorney from California who was involved in numerous civil rights and police brutality cases throughout his 38-year career spanning from 1964 to 2002. Noted for his skill in the courtroom, he is best known for leading the so-called "Dream Team" during the murder trial of O.J. Simpson.[2]

Cochran also represented Sean Combs, Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Stanley Tookie Williams,[3] Todd Bridges,[4] football player Jim Brown, Snoop Dogg, former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe,[5] 1992 Los Angeles riot beating victim Reginald Oliver Denny,[2] inmate and activist Geronimo Pratt, and athlete Marion Jones when she faced doping charges during her high school track career.[6]

  1. ^ Adam Bernstein,"Showy, Tenacious Lawyer Rode Simpson Murder Trial to Fame", The Washington Post, March 30, 2005; retrieved April 17, 2006.
  2. ^ a b "CNN.com - Famed attorney Johnnie Cochran dead - Mar 30, 2005". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Cochran, J. A Lawyer's Life, pp.39. St. Martin's Griffin, 2003. ISBN 0312319673
  4. ^ Linda Deutsch, Famous clients mourn Johnnie Cochran at funeral in L.A., sddt.com, April 6, 2005; retrieved April 18, 2005.
  5. ^ Mike O'Sullivan, Celebrity Lawyer Johnnie Cochran Dies at 67, voanews.com, March 30, 2005; retrieved April 18, 2005.
  6. ^ Patrick, Dick (October 5, 2007). "Until now, Jones had been steadfast in doping denials". USA Today. Retrieved February 15, 2015.