What was Johnnie Cochran’s net worth?

Johnnie Cochran, an American lawyer, had a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death in 2005. He represented high-profile clients such as O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, and Tupac Shakur. Cochran was known for advocating for victims of police brutality.

After passing the California bar exam in 1963, he worked as a Deputy City Attorney before launching his own firm in 1965. He became known as the “go-to” lawyer for cases involving police brutality and crime. In 1983, he opened his own law firm in California, and his profile continued to grow. Over a decade when he was in his prime, Johnnie’s firm won $40 million worth of damages for his clients and took home approximately $15 million in fees for himself and his firm.

Johnnie Cochran died on March 29, 2005, a month after undergoing surgery for a brain tumor. His firm now has 26 branches in multiple states.

Early Life and Education

Johnnie Cochran was born in 1937 in Shreveport, Louisiana. His family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Migration, where he attended local schools and graduated as the top student from Los Angeles High School in 1955. He went on to earn a BA in business economics from UCLA in 1959 and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1962.

Legal Career

After passing the California bar exam in 1963, Cochran worked as a deputy city attorney in Los Angeles’ criminal division. One of his first high-profile cases was prosecuting comedian Lenny Bruce on obscenity charges in 1964. He later entered private practice and founded his own law firm, Cochran, Atkins & Evans.

Turning Point for Cochran

Johnnie Cochran had a turning point in his career when he took his first significant civil case. He represented an African-American widow who sued the police officers who had killed her husband. Although the case resulted in defeat for Cochran, it also made him more aware of the injustices faced by the black community.

Cochran realized the power he had in bringing positive attention to the issue of police abuse. In the early 70s, he defended 17-year-old street gang member Stanley Tookie Williams in a robbery trial. Within ten minutes of the trial, Williams was acquitted of all the charges.

By the late 70s, Cochran had established a prominent reputation within the black community and continued to litigate many high-profile cases of police brutality.

Cochran returned to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office in 1978, taking the leadership position of First Assistant District Attorney. During this time, he fortified his connection to the political community, worked to improve his image, and sought to reform the system from within.

Johnnie Cochran’s Career in Private Practice

After leaving the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in the early 80s, Johnnie Cochran opened his own law firm, the Johnnie L Cochran Jr. law firm. He became known for representing plaintiffs in civil cases, with many of his clients being minorities. Cochran’s theatrical and eloquent courtroom presence was said to have encouraged settlements.

One of Cochran’s notable cases was winning $760,000 for the family of Ron Settles, a black college football player who was allegedly killed by police. In addition to advocating for minorities in cases of police brutality, Cochran also became a go-to lawyer for wealthy clients.

In 1990, Cochran joined the law firm Cochran, Mitchell & Jenna, and seven years later, joined Cochran, Cherry, Givens & Smith.

Defending O. J. Simpson

In 1995, Johnnie Cochran defended O. J. Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife and her friend. Despite criticism for his performance in the trial, Cochran famously persuaded the jury with his line “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” He convinced the jury that the prosecution failed to prove Simpson’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and that the police had planted evidence against his client. After the trial, Cochran became a regular commentator on legal-related television shows and hosted his own show, “Johnny Cochran Tonight” on CourtTV.

High-Profile Cases

Johnnie Cochran successfully represented Abner Louima, a Haitian immigrant in Brooklyn who had been raped while in police custody. Louima was awarded a settlement of $8.75 million, the biggest police brutality settlement given in New York City.

Cochran also represented Michael Jackson, who had been accused of child molestation; the case was ultimately settled out of court. In 2001, Cochran defended Sean Combs against charges of bribery and stolen weapons; he ended up winning the case. In 2002, Cochran let Combs know that this would be his final criminal case, and retired soon after.

Life and Legacy of Johnnie Cochran

Johnnie Cochran was married twice, first to Barbara Berry Cochran in 1960 and then to Sylvia Dale in 1985. He owned multiple properties in Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and Manhattan, thanks to his legal successes. He had three children. In 2003, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery the following year. He passed away in March 2005 at his Los Angeles residence. After a memorial service at the West Los Angeles Church of God in Christ, he was buried at the Inglewood Park Cemetery.

Mount Vernon Middle School, where Cochran attended as a youth, was renamed to Johnnie L Cochran Jr. Middle School in 2006 by officials of the Los Angeles Unified School District. The street in front of the school was also renamed to Johnnie Cochran Vista. In Shreveport, Louisiana, Cochran’s footprints are featured on the Northwest Louisiana Walk of Stars.

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