Johnnie Cochran was a legendary lawyer who rose to fame in the 1980s and 90s as the go-to legal representative for the rich and famous.
Born on October 2, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cochran’s family moved to California in 1949 during the Great Migration. After excelling in school, Cochran pursued a law career, inspired by Thurgood Marshall’s legal victory in Brown v. Board of Education.
After passing the California bar exam in 1963, Cochran worked as a deputy city attorney in Los Angeles before establishing his own firm. Throughout his career, he represented notable clients such as Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, and Snoop Dogg. However, Cochran’s claim to fame came from his high-profile defense of OJ Simpson in the infamous murder trial.
Cochran was part of Simpson’s defense “Dream Team,” helping secure his acquittal despite significant evidence against him. Cochran famously used the phrase, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit,” referring to Simpson’s struggle to put on a glove during the trial. Simpson, though acquitted, was later found liable for the murders in a civil suit.
Despite his legal success, Cochran’s personal life was tumultuous. He was married multiple times and had children from different relationships. Cochran passed away in 2005 after battling a brain tumor.
