Categories: Opinion and Editorial

The Nation’s Greatest Attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., Of Shreveport, La

Johnnie Cochran was born October 2, 1937 to an insurance agent, Johnnie L. Cochran Sr. and an Avon lady, Hattie Cochran. He was the great-grandson to African American slaves. While growing up in a stable during his earlier years, the Cochran’s stressed the importance of education and being independent. At a very young age, Johnnie learned to appreciate what he had and accept the fact that others had more. This drove him to becoming the Nation’s Greatest Attorney. His family moved to Los Angeles, California while he was yet at a young age.

Cochran sold insurance for his father while earning his Bachelors at University of California in Los Angelos, in 1959. He was accepted at Loyola Marymount University School of Law and passed the California Bar in 1963. Cochran took on a prosecuting job that same year. Opening his own firm, Cochran, Atkins and Evans, around 1965, Johnnie began his journey into his remarkable career as an attorney.

Some of his clients include:

Michael Jackson, Reginald Denny, Abner Louima, Geronimo Pratt (former Black Panther), Todd Bridges, James Brown, Angela Igwe, Shawn (Ditty) Combs, Cynthia Wiggins, Rosa Parks, TuPac Shakur and Snoop Dogg. In 2003, Cochran challenged the National Football League to hire more minority coaches or face a lawsuit dealing with unfair practices based on race. A wish has come true with history being made by Indianapolis Colts coach, James Dungy, winning the Super Bowl this year.

Through many trials, and highly publicized ones I may add, Cochran found himself right in the middle of the greatest case of the century, the O.J Simpson trial. At one time, Cochran himself admitted Simpson’s guilt because he was ‘ to much in denial’. About fifteen months after the murders of Simpson’s wife, Nicole Simpson and friend, Ronald Goldman, Cochran wins the case. The case was won just a day after his fifty-sixth birthday, October 3, 1995. Cochran came home to Shreveport, La. to represent a family of an elderly lady who was struck by a train. Unsurprisingly, he won the case with $500,000.

While married to Barbara Berry, Johnnie fathered two daughters, Melodie and Tiffany. Then while married to his second wife, Dale Mason, Johnnie fathered his son, Johnathon, with mistress Patricia Sikora. Sikora also happens to be a California Highway Patrol Officer. He wrote a book in 2003 entitled A Lawyer’s Life and an autobiography called Journey to Justice. The autobiography was written in 1996. Johnnie Cochran was a democrat. He is known for his quote during the Simpson trial ‘if the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit’.

Cochran was found dead March, 29, 2005 in his home, at the age of sixty-seven. The cause of his death was a brain tumor. Well known for his competitive spirit and cunning personality, Cochran will always be the Nation’s Greatest Attorney. He surely has gone down in history. He is survived by his wife Dale, a sister and his son, Johnathon.