Cochran started his career as a Deputy City Attorney in the criminal division in Los Angeles. He later opened a private firm in Woodstock, Ill. It was then Cochran made a name for himself as a champion of those combating police brutality and racism at the hands of authorities in power. Before long, Cochran was known in the African-American community as an attorney who took on tough cases and won on behalf of his clients.
Cochran rejoined the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office as its first black Assistant District Attorney in 1978. He returned to private practice five years later, taking on difficult cases and wowing court rooms with his savvy and wit. Even before he was retained by Simpson, Cochran was known as a winning defense attorney for the wealthy.
Along with Simpson, Cochran won millions in a settlement for Haitian immigrant Abner Louima, who was brutally assaulted by NYPD. Cochran represented Sean “Diddy” Combs in what would be his last criminal case in 2002. Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, and former boxing champ Riddick Bowe were also among Cochran’s list of big name clients. Cochran died in March 2005 after battling with a brain tumor he was diagnosed with in 2004.
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