Office Location
24901 Northwestern Hwy. STE 760
Southfield, Michigan 48075
Contact Us
Phone Number: (313) 774-2852
Detroit Attorneys
James CarterAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in FL. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
James Carter
James CarterPartner/Managing Partner Trials & Mass Torts.
James Carter is an accomplished attorney, educator, statesman and author. He is the Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm Trials and Mass Torts and has dedicated his life to uplifting others. He often states that he could never thank God enough for his parents who gave him a solid foundation. Mr. Carter has tried to verdict, settled, and been associated with multiple high value cases ranging from $1,000,000.00 to mor than $70,000,000.00. His skillfully aggressive approach to the civil jury trial world gained him elite memberships into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Operating regularly as lead trial counsel when there are millions of dollars on the line, law firms throughout the United States hire Mr. Carter to try cases with their teams. For his accomplishments as an attorney and public servant, Grambling State University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws. Mr. Carter is admitted to practice in all Louisiana state courts, all Louisiana United States District Courts, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals as well as the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, Louisiana Association for Justice Board of Governors, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Black Lawyers Top 100 and Mass Tort Top 25 Trial Lawyers. He received a prized certification in Mass Tort Multi-District Litigation from the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke University School of Law. Advancing quality education is an important part of James Carter’s life. He is a Civil Trial Litigation Adjunct Professor at Howard University School of Law and sits on its Board of Visitors. In fact, the great Johnnie Cochran’s inspirational book titled A Lawyer’s Life is required reading for the Developing a High-End Civil Trial Practice course Mr. Carter teaches. He also served as an Adjunct Trial Advocacy Professor at the Tulane University School of Law. He serves as faculty for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and the National Bar Association-Civil Trial Advocacy Boot Camp Program. Mr. Carter is Vice-Chairman of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors (ULS)-the body that provides policy guidance and fiscal oversight for nine public universities in Louisiana. One of his crowning achievements on the ULS board is the establishment of the Reginald F. Lewis Educational Equity Initiative. He is a participant in a multi-year study of leadership in divided communities at the University of Oxford (Oxford, England) Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict. Mr. Carter has lectured in Europe, Canada, Panama, Jamaica and across the United States. He participated in the government of France Foreign Visitors Program to foster cultural understanding. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, he chose to take part in the rebuilding of his beloved community and city. He was elected as the second African American to serve as a New Orleans City Councilman in District C and on the first New Orleans City Council seated after the storm in 2006. As Chairman of the newly created City Council Criminal Justice Committee, he played the lead legislative criminal justice reform role in establishing the first City Charter mandated Division of the Independent Police Monitor (IPM). The IPM was created to protect citizens from police brutality and misconduct. He also ushered in the VERA Institute of Justice alternatives to incarceration initiative, Ceasefire program, Court Watch NOLA and legal protections for the Mardi Gras Indian Culture. From 2010 to 2012, James Carter had the honor to serve as a Fellow with the VERA Institute of Justice. Due to his exceptional reputation for implementing progressive criminal justice reform, in 2011, he was selected to serve as the first African-American Criminal Justice Commissioner in New Orleans’ history. Mr. Carter’s visionary criminal justice leadership is credited with positively transforming the justice system in New Orleans and materially causing sustained reductions in the murder rate. Mr. Carter is a philanthropist who gives so much to so many and donates his time to important causes. More recently, he established an endowed scholarship fund to benefit students who aspire to become lawyers. He also serves on the boards of the Multi-Cultural Media Correspondence Association, Common Good New Orleans and the internationally renowned New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, where he studied Theater. Moreover, Mr. Carter has served on the boards of the Urban League of New Orleans, Family Services of Greater New Orleans, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Second Harvest Food Bank and Greater New Orleans, Inc. James Carter has received multiple accolades and honors. He was given the VERA Institute Justice Award in 2009, Leadership Award-Bureau of Consular Affairs, Crime Coalition Distinguished Leadership Proclamation, Institute for Social Justice Award, Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana Award, Ebonetworks Changing Faces Award and the French Quarter Business Women-Darling Heart Award. In 2012 and 2016, New Orleans City Business Magazine recognized James Carter as a Leader in Law. Moreover, his historic alma mater McDonough #35 College Preparatory Senior High School inducted him into its Wall of Fame. James is married to Rene Carter who was recognized in 2016 by the Louisiana Department of Education as the Middle School Principle of the Year. They have one child, Brice Carter.Areas of Practice
- Catastrophic Personal Injury
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Products Liability
- Maritime
- Premises Liability
- Mesothelioma/Asbestos
- Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer
- Vaginal Mesh
- Opioid Litigation
Admitted to Practice
- All Louisiana Courts
- U.S.D.C. - Eastern District of Louisiana
- U.S.D.C. - Middle District of Louisiana
- U.S.D.C. - Western District of Louisiana
- U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal
- United States Supreme Court
Education
- Howard University School of Law (J.D.) – 1997 Washington D.C.
- Howard University (B.A.) – 1991 Washington D.C.
- McDonogh #35 College Preparatory Senior HighSchool – 1987
- New Orleans Center for the Creave Arts (Theater) - 1987
Presentations
- Mastering Art, Science & Craft of Advocacy Program, Faculty Member, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), New Orleans, Louisiana (January 24-25, 2019)
- Developing a High-End Civil Trial Practice, A Challenge in Diversity (CLE Seminar), 2019 National Bar Association Panama Mid-Winter Conference, Joint session with Judges and Attorneys, Panama City, Panama (January 19, 2019)
- Constitution Day Speaker, Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana (September 18, 2018)
- Law and Order, Atlanta Association of Insurance Professionals, 30th Anniversary Symposium and Luncheon, Atlanta, Georgia (August 16, 2018)
- GET INTO FOCUS, Making Money Moves, Increase Settlement Amounts and Improve Trial Results Using Focus Groups, 2018 National Bar Association Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana (August 1, 2018)
- A Change is Going to Come; The Wall Street Case for Diversity and Inclusion in 2018 (CLE Seminar), National Bar Association 93rd Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana (August 1, 2018)
- Civil Litigation, Benefits of Having Diversity in Civil Jury Practice, LJC/NBA Annual Meeting and CLE Seminar 2018, "Advancing Judicial Competency", Baton Rouge, Louisiana (February 16, 2018)
- Effective Opening and Closing Arguments, Lemoyne-Owen College, Memphis, Tennessee (February 7, 2018).
- Trial Advocacy (CLE Seminar) Jackson Barracks, Headquarters of Louisiana National Guard, New Orleans, Louisiana (June 2, 2018)
- Effective Closing Arguments, Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (April 11, 2018)
- Developing a High End Civil Trial Practice - Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C. (October 6-8, 2017 and October 5-7, 2018)
- Across Racial Lines: Transforming a City after a Natural Disaster – University of Oxford -Harris Manchester College, Annual Conference, Oxford, England (September 27, 2017)
- Get Into Focus: Increase Settlement Amounts and Improve Trial Results Using Focus Groups - National Bar Association Convention, Toronto, Canada (August 2, 2017)
- Ideological Passion v. Principled Pragmatism: Bridging the Racial Divide in Urban America, Unity Church-Unitarian, St. Paul, Minnesota (November 14, 2015)
Awards and Honors
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Civil Plaintiff
- Mass Tort TOP 25 Trial Lawyers
- Trucking TOP 10 Trial Lawyers
- Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, Grambling State University
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Black Lawyers Top 100
- New Orleans City Business Magazine, Leadership in Law Award, 2016 and 2012 Read more
- Leadership Award, Bureau of Consular Affairs
- VERA Institute of Justice, Award
- Crime Coalition, Distinguished Leader Proclamation
- Institute for Social Justice, Inc., Award
- Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana, Justice for Youth Award
- Ebonetworks, Changing Faces Award
- French Quarter Business Women Association, Darling Heart Award
Boards and Affiliations
- Howard University School of Law Board of Visitors, Board Member
- New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, Board Member
- Multicultural Media Correspondence Association, Advisory Board
- University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, Board Member
- Louisiana Association for Justice, Board of Governors
- Common Good New Orleans, Board Member
- Police and Justice Foundation Board, Board Member
Publications
-
- Danette O'Neal & James J. Carter, Money Matters 101: A Smart Money Guide for 18 and Beyond (2017)
- James Carter, Benefits of Having Diversity in Your Jury Trial Practice, LAJ (2013)
Perry SchneiderAttorney
Perry Schneider
Perry Schneider
Attorney
Perry graduated from Michigan State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While attending Wayne State University Law School, he clerked for the Hon. Alice L. Gilbert who handled a diverse civil and criminal docket at the Oakland County Circuit Court. During that clerkship, he gained immeasurable courtroom experience assisting the judge with trials that ranged from complex contract disputes to first-degree felonies. That experience informed his decisions as an attorney and has led to a 20-plus year career working as an advocate for people in such areas as: real estate law including landlord tenant; personal injury law including car accidents, no-fault, dog bite, slip and fall, and wrongful death cases; and Social Security Disability claims. In addition to the practice of law, Perry has worked extensively in management throughout his career. As a managing attorney, he prioritizes training and mentoring to foster and develop the next generation of superstar attorneys.Professional Associations
- Michigan Bar Association since 1997
- State Bar of Michigan Negligence Members Section
- State Bar of Michigan Social Security Disability Section
- State Bar of Michigan LGBTQA Members Section
Education
- B.F.A. – Michigan State University
- J.D. – Wayne State University
Bar Admissions
-
- Michigan
Channa LloydAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in FL. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Channa Lloyd
Channa Lloyd
Attorney
As the Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm Orlando, Channa Lloyd concentrates and focuses her practice in the areas of family law, motor vehicle accidents, commercial motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death and civil rights violations. Originally from Miami, Florida she graduated from Florida International University with an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems and then attended Barry University School of Law. With experience in areas of technology and law, Channa is a frequent speaker on legal technology to legal organizations and associations.Professional Associations
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- American Bar Association
- National Bar Association
- Central Florida Association for Women
- Orange County Lawyers Association
- National Black Lawyers
- Florida Bar Association
- Middle District Bar
Education
- B.S. – Florida International University
- J.D. – Barry University School of Law
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Janieasha Freelove-SewellAttorney
Janieasha Freelove-Sewell
Janieasha Freelove-SewellJanieasha graduated from Georgetown University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish and English. She then taught Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade for six years, while at the same time, training new teachers and community leaders how to support students and families. Thereafter, she attended Michigan State University College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2017.
While in law school, Janieasha was a member of the Volunteer Advocates of Mid-Michigan, Associate Editor of the Journal of Animal and Natural Resources Law and a research assistant to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. She also interned for Justice Victoria Roberts of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and Judge Sheila R. Johnson of the 46th District Court, clerked at both a large-sized and mid-sized firm, externed at the Michigan Department of Attorney General in the Civil Litigation, Employment and Elections Division in Lansing and was a Student Clinician in the Housing Law and Chance at Childhood Legal Clinics. Throughout her experiences, Janieasha developed a passion for ensuring that all people have equitable treatment under the law. She uses this passion to help people involved in personal injury claims.
In her free time, Janieasha enjoys volunteering in the community, reading, traveling, singing and dancing.
Keith GivensAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in AL, FL, & GA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
J. Keith Givens
Keith Givens, managing partner and shareholder of The Cochran Firm, P.C., has been a civil trial lawyer for consumers and injury victims for over 35 years. A founding partner with Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., Keith has managed the firm’s national operations and growth since 1998. He concentrated his practice in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death. Currently, he focuses his practice on truck accident cases, product claims, and complex litigation. Keith has obtained over $1 billion in case verdicts and settlements for his clients. He obtained Alabama’s highest verdict for a single wrongful death, a $25 million jury verdict against a drunk driver and a lounge for the family of a man who was killed while jogging. He was also the plaintiffs’ attorney in the $700 million settlement of an environmental case involving PCB, which was the largest settlement in Alabama history at the time. Keith was a finalist for the Public Justice Foundation’s 2008 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, receiving recognition for his work on the environmental case of Perrine v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company. The Perrine case resulted in a $381 million jury verdict and was the highest consumer verdict in the nation in 2007.
Keith is a past president of The National Trial Lawyers Association, an invitation-only association of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state. He has been a member of The National Trial Lawyers Executive Committee since 2007 and a member of the Editorial Board for The Trial Lawyer, a nationally distributed magazine for trial lawyers, since 2010. Keith has served as president, president-elect and on the board of governors for The Alabama Association for Justice, with which he is a sustaining member. Keith also served as president of the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and was president of the Southeast Alabama Trial Lawyers Association for two years. He has been a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar Association (1989 – 2009) and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (1990 – 2007).
J. Keith GivensHonors & Awards
- Rated AV Preeminent® by the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register
- The Alabama Trial Lawyers Association’s Al Sansone Service Award
- Finalist for the Public Justice Foundation’s Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, 2008
- Named to Lawyers of Color Power List, 2015
- Named to The Trial Lawyer Magazine’s RoundTable
- America’s 50 Most Influential Trial Lawyers, 2014-2018
- America’s 100 Most Influential Trial Lawyers, 2011-2013
- Named one of The National Trial Lawyer’s Top 100 Alabama Trial Lawyers
Professional Associations
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
- Alabama Civil Justice Foundation
- Alabama Law School Foundation Board of Directors
- Alabama State Bar Association
- American Association of Justice
- Editorial Board for The Trial Lawyer
- Florida State Bar Association
- Georgia State Bar Association
- Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
- Houston County Bar Association
- Southeast Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
- The Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
- The National Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Committee Member, and former President
- University of Alabama, Law School Foundation, Board of Directors
Education
- B.S. – University of Alabama
- B.S. – University of Alabama
- J.D. – University of Alabama School of Law
Bar Admissions
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Washington D.C.
Jeffrey MitchellAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in LA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Jeffrey Mitchell
Born in Mobile, Alabama Jeff Mitchell graduated from Louisiana State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He attended Louisiana State University, The Paul M. Herbert, School of Law from which he obtained his Juris Doctor Degree in 1989.
Jeff has focused his practice primarily in the areas of Traumatic Brain Injuries and Medical Malpractice. Jeff is one of approximately 13 lawyers in Louisiana to be Board Certified in Medical Malpractice by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. Jeff also handles cases in the areas of Automobile Accidents, Products Liability, Premises Li ability and Maritime Law.
Mr. Mitchell was featured in the April 23, 2012 edition of Newsweek Magazine as one of the Nationwide Leading Attorneys in Medical Malpractice. Only 19 attorneys nationwide were featured overall and only 11 were featured in the area of medical malpractice. Mr. Mitchell was also selected for inclusion in the 2012-2019 editions of The Best Lawyers in America. Selection to Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 3.9 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys. Mr. Mitchell was also selected for inclusion in the 2012-2010 editions of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of medical malpractice. Only 5 percent of the attorneys in the State of Louisiana are named to the very prestigious list. Mr. Mitchell’s law firm, The Cochran Firm- Metairie was a recipient of the 2014-2016 Litigator Awards, which honors the top 1% of lawyers in this country. The awards are based on actual “Verdict & Settlement” dollar achievement rather than peer popularity making them perhaps the most rigorous and openly judged Award Ratings.
Mr. Mitchell was hand-picked by Mr. Cochran to serve as the Chairman of the Medical Malpractice Section of The Cochran Firm; Mr. Mitchell has served as the President of the National Brain Injury Trial Lawyers. Mr. Mitchell has authored numerous articles and appeared frequently as a lecturer at legal seminars on the topics of Medical Malpractice and Traumatic Brain Injuries.
HONROS & AWARDS
- AV Rating, Martindale - Hubbell
- National Finalist, Leading Lawyers in America, Law Dragon’s Annual Guide
- Leadership in Law Award, 2010
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, 2007 – 2010
- Top Lawyers in Medical Malpractice, New Orleans Magazine, 2009
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Louisiana Bar Association
- American College of Barristers
- Louisiana Association for Justice, Medical Malpractice Section
- National Trial Lawyers
EDUCATION
- B. S . – Louisiana State University
- J.D. – Louisiana State University Paul M. Herbert School of Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Louisiana
- Louisiana Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- Unites States Court of Federal Claims
Scott LeedsAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in FL. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Scott Leeds
Scott Leeds
Managing Partner
As managing partner of The Cochran Firm’s South Florida office in Ft. Lauderdale, Scott Leeds focuses his practice in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury and commercial litigation. Scott served as lead council in two landmark cases against the Republic of Cuba and obtained verdicts in excess of $94 million. A graduate of St. John’s University in Pharmacy, Scott became a licensed pharmacist in New York and Florida. He then obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law. With experience in areas of pharmacy and law, Scott is a frequent lecturer to both legal and medical organizations.Awards & Honors
- Super Lawyers
- Florida Trend Legal Elite
Professional Associations
- Law & Leading Attorneys Directory
- Florida Bar Association
- American Society of Pharmacy Law
- American Bar Association
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- Dade County Trial Lawyers Association
- Florida Justice Association
Education
- B.S. St. John’s University
- J.D. University of Miami School of Law
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Melvin Brooks Attorney
*Licensed to practice law in IL. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Melvin Brooks
Melvin Brooks is a managing partner for The Cochran Firm Chicago . Mr. Brooks represents clients in wrongful death and serious personal injury matters ranging from trucking and vehicular negligence, police misconduct, premises and products liability and medical negligence. Melvin began his career on the south side of Chicago at the law office of Benjamin E. Starks. He gained extensive experience as a civil litigator with the Corporation Counsel’s Office handling complex, multimillion - dollar exposure cases in 1986. His list of high - profile cases included having served as lead counsel in the E2 Nightclub litigation. Through Melvin’s efforts, over $20 million was recovered for families of the E2 victims. He also represented the family of Rekia Boyd, a young lady fatally shot by an off - duty, Chicago police officer and s uccessfully obtained an award of $4.5 million.
Melvin has successfully obtained more than $40 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is a member of the Federal Trial Bar. .
HONROS and AWARDS
- Leading Lawyers, Civil Rights, 2018
- Leading Lawyers, Personal Injury, 2018
- Nation’s Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015 – 2017
- Women of Wisdom’s Distinguished Service Award, 2009
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers Association, 2008 – 2011
- Harold Washington Historical Award, Cook County Bar Association, 2012
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- Cook County Bar Association
- Habilitative Systems, Inc., Board Chairperson
EDUCATION
- B.A. – Iowa State University
- J.D. – University of Iowa College of Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Illinois
- U.S. Supreme Court
Hezekiah SistrunkAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in GA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Hezekiah Sistrunk, Jr.
Hezekiah is a National Partner and President of The Cochran Firm, founded by the legendary Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. The Cochran Firm is one of the nation’s largest personal injury, medical malpractice and consumer law firms with some of the most aggressive personal injury attorneys, known for their tireless and effective legal representation. Hezekiah is also Chairman of the National Firm's Executive/Management Committee and the Managing Partner of the Firm's Atlanta Office. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict. Hezekiah and his trial teams have attained verdicts and settlements on behalf of injury victims and consumers in excess of $1Billion.
Hezekiah has authored and lectured on medical professional liability issues, complex litigation matters, including class action and mass tort litigation, and has conducted risk management and risk assessment seminars for various clients. In addition to his trial experience, lecturing and advising clients, Hezekiah has also served as a mediator in hundreds of matters.
Mr. Sistrunk’s practice focuses largely on the litigation of complex disputes involving common law, statutory law, contract law, physician and hospital liability law, product liability law, commercial, corporate and business issues, catastrophic personal injury cases and class action/ mass torts/pharmaceutical litigation. Over the course of his career, in fact, Mr. Sistrunk has prosecuted and defended hundreds of litigated matters before state courts, federal courts and administrative agencies and has tried over 100 cases to verdict
Mr. Sistrunk has lectured on medical professional liability issues, complex litigation matters including class action and mass tort litigation and has conducted risk management and risk assessment seminars for various clients. In addition to his trial experience, lecturing, and advising clients, Mr. Sistrunk has also served as a mediator in hundreds of matters
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITIONS
- "Top 100 Lawyers" in the state of Georgia-National Trial Lawyers Association (2011-2019). +AV Preeminent* rating-Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (1989-2019)
- Charter Fellow-Litigation Counsel of America (2007-2019)
- Men Looking Ahead News Magazine 2011 annual "Power List of Georgia's Most Powerful and Influential Lawyers"
- Super Lawyers Magazine list of Georgia Super Lawyers (2007-2019)
- Inducted into the Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame (2011)
- Inducted as a Fellow into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (2012)
- Clarence Darrow Award during the Mass Torts Made Perfect Conference (2014)
- The National Bar Association Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. Legacy Award (2014)
- The Best Lawyers in America 2015 Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs and in the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 editions for his work in the areas of Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs and Products Liability Litigation-Plaintiffs. In 2019 named “Lawyer of the Year" Products Liability Litigation-Plaintiffs - in Atlanta
- President of the National Trial Lawyers (2015)
- National Trial Lawyers Executive Committee (2008-2019)
- Lawyers of Color Fourth Annual Power List (2015)
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (2015-2019)
- Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (2016-2019)
- National Trial Lawyers The RoundTable, America's 50 Most Influential Trial Lawyers (2017-2019)
- America’ Top 100 High Stakes Litigators (2017-2019)
- National Trial Lawyers Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame (2018)
- LAWDRAGON 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers (2019)
HONORS & AWARDS
- Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame
- Lawyer of the Year Award, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Atlanta, 2019
- Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia, National Trial Lawyers, 2011 – 2018
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale - Hubbell Law Directory
- Clarence Darrow Award
- Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. Award, National Bar Association
- Best Lawyers in America, 2015 - 2019
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Georgia Bar Association
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- National Board of Complex Litigation Lawyers, Founding Membe
EDUCATION
- B.A. – With Honors, North Carolina State University
- J.D. – Duke University Law School, Elv in R. Latty Scholar
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Atlanta, GA
James BryantAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in CA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
James Bryant, II
James A. Bryant is the head of the entertainment and business division at the Cochran Firm – California. James is both a litigation/trial and transactional attorney. His primary practice areas are entertainment, commercial/business, intellectual property, employment and real estate. As a litigator, James has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in many high profile business, entertainment and intellectual property matters. As a transactional attorney, he has negotiated numerous film and television proje cts, from development to distribution.
He began his legal career as an associate at a prestigious San Francisco law firm handling a number of high profile transactional and litigation matters including mergers and acquisitions, investment fund formation a nd secured transactions. James joined The Cochran Firm – California in 2014, establishing the firm’s entertainment and business division. He has obtained numerous dismissals and nearly $20 million in jury verdicts, arbitration awards and settlements on beh alf of his clients in both state and federal courts. James has also been engaged in negotiating a total of more than $1 billion in business transactions.
Honors & Awards
- California Super Lawyers, 2018
- California Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2015 – 2018
- University of California Berkeley, Student Body Vice President
- University of California Student Association, Legislative Body
Education
- B.S. – University of California at Berkeley
- J.D. – University of Michigan
Bar Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- Federal District Court, Northern District of California
Shean WilliamsAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in GA & OH. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Shean Williams
Shean WilliamsPartner
A dedicated fighter in the battle against injustice, Attorney Shean Williams is a masterful litigator who prides himself on his strong work ethic and tenacity. Mr. Williams simply doesn’t give up, and he always puts his clients first For the last 20 years Mr. Williams has been committed to fighting for injured people and their families in the areas of trucking litigation, auto accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home litigation, premises liability, civil rights litigation, and prod ucts liability. His jury verdicts and settlements are in excess of $80 million. Mr. Williams is proud to have obtained many multimillion - dollar verdicts and settlements for his injured clients. Specifically, Mr. Williams was one of the lead attorneys who obtained a $20 - Million wrongful death verdict in Clayton County, Georgia and a $17.5 Million verdict in Fulton County, Georgia. Mr. Williams’ specialty is the unique way he connects with members of his jury panel, making complex themes more relatable to the everyday person. Shean has his finger on the pulse of his community donating time, talent, and money to many diverse civic groups including New Mercies Christian Church, Project Destiny, Inc., Green Pastures Christian Church, The Winning Circle, and Star Struck Foundation. Mr. Williams shared a special bond with Founding Partner Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Their relationship went beyond the typical mentor - mentee relationship. They were more like father and son. Mr. Williams is reminded daily of the l essons and wisdom that Mr. Cochran imparted, and that inspiration is a driving force for him to continue Mr. Cochran’s legacy today.HONORS & AWARDS
- Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame
- Lawyer of the Year Award, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Atlanta, 2019
- Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia, National Trial Lawyers, 2011 – 2018
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale - Hubbell Law Directory
- Clarence Darrow Award
- Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. Award, National Bar Association
- Best Lawyers in America, 2015 - 2019
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Georgia Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
- Gate City Bar Association
- National Bar Association
- The Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America
- B. S . – Miami University of Ohio
- J.D. – Georgia State University
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Georgia
- Federal Courts of the State of Georgia
- Appellate Courts of the State of Georgia
Paul WeitzAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in NY. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Paul B. Weitz
Prominent trial attorney Paul B. Weitz was the Founding and Managing Partner of Paul B. Weitz & Associates, a Partner in the personal injury firm of Schneider, Kleinick, Weitz, Damashek, a Partner at Kleinick & Weitz LLP, and currently the Managing Partner at The Cochran Firm New York.
After graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, he has spent the last quarter century handling cases which required complex litigation skills covering such categories as construction accident cases, medical malpractice actions, product liability suits and premises & automobile accidents. He has also co-authored “The Art of Summation”, an insightful analysis of successful jury summations by some of the nation’s most outstanding trial lawyers.
Mr. Weitz is a past president of the New York State Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a past officer of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and is currently serving on its Board of Directors. He frequently lectures to other lawyers practicing in the personal injury field.
Paul B. WeitzProfessional Associations
- American Board of Trial Advocates New York Chapter
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors
Education
- J.D. – Harvard University, Summa Cum Laude
Bar Admissions
- New York
Author
- The Art of Summation, Co-Author
Tracey BrownAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in NY, D.C., PA, & CA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Tracey L. Brown
Partner Tracey L. Brown joined The Cochran Firm in 2003 and has spearheaded the firm’s Employment Law practice area. She specializes in employment discrimination, civil rights and police misconduct matters. Her vigorous representation has resulted in mul tiple million - dollar settlements and verdicts.
Prior to joining The Cochran Firm Ms. Brown was Senior Counsel at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington D.C. where she litigated consumer fraud cases. She also served as a Deputy District Attorney for t he County of Los Angeles. A graduate of Boston College and St. John’s University Law School, she is licensed to practice law in New York, California, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania.
In addition to her legal work, Ms. Brown is the author of the best - selling book, “The Life and Times of Ron Brown”, a biography of the late U.S. Secretary of commerce Ronal H. Brown. Active in many civic and philanthropic organizations, Ms. Brown serves on the Board of Directors of the National Child Labor Committe e, FuturePac, and the Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development at St. John’s University Law School.
Tracey L. BrownEducation
- B.A. – Boston College
- J.D. – St. John’s University Law School
Bar Admissions
- New York
- California
- Washington D.C.
- Pennsylvannia
Author
- The Life and Times of Ron Brown, William Morrow/ Harper Collins Publishers , 1998
Derek SellsAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in NY, & D.C. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Derek Sells
Derek Sells is the Managing Partner for The Cochran Firm’s New York office. He is an exceptional trial attorney, having achieved many successful results, including a damages trial verdict against The City of New York for $33.52 Million Dollar, a result featured in the Nation Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts of 2002.
A 1985 graduate of Dartmouth College and a 1988 Yale Law School graduate, Derek began his legal career at the prestigious Washington, D.C. firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering. He then joined the Washington, D.C. Public Defender Service, rising to a senior trial attorney.
In 1995, Derek joined New York’s Schneider Kleinick Weitz Damashek & Shoot, later known as The Cochran Firm, Schneider Kleinick Weitz Damashek & Shoot, as a trial attor ney. In May 2002, Derek became Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm. He has since amassed an extraordinary number of Million Dollar verdicts and settlements, exceeding a total of $100 Million Dollars.
Derek has taught trial advocacy at various seminars, in cluding those sponsored by the New York State Trial lawyers Association, the New York State Bar Association and Harvard Law School. He is a member of the New York and Washington, D.C. bars.
Derek was selected to 2010 New York Super Lawyers for personal inj ury plaintiff – general. Only 5% of lawyers in the state of New York are chosen for this honor each year. The multi - phase, selection process for this recognition includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent evaluation of candidates by the attorne y - led, research staff at Super Lawyers, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good - standing and disciplinary check.
Derek SellsProfessional Associations
- New York Bar Association
- Washington D.C. Bar Association
Education
- B.S. – Dartmouth College
- J.D. – Yale Law School
Bar Admissions
- New York
- Washington D.C.
Brian DunnAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in CA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Brian T. Dunn
Brian T. Dunn is the managing partner of the Cochran Firm California, the Los Angeles based office of founder Mr. Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. As one of the most experienced working advocate s for victims of police misconduct in the state of California, Mr. Dunn has a proven track record of victory against the largest municipalities in the state, often in the most complex and misunderstood circumstances surrounding officer involved shootings
Over his career 23 - year career, Brian has resolved over 200 cases in state and federal court, and the majority of these cases involved police shootings that all too often lead to the death of the victim. No other attorney has better expertise in handling m atters of police shootings, and no other attorney is better equipped to help a jury understand the responsibilities of police officers, departments, and the law, as it relates to a police officer’s use of deadly force.
Having spent his entire career with The Cochran Firm’s Los Angeles office, Brian was originally hired by Johnnie Cochran himself in the summer of 1992, as a law clerk assigned to legal research and the preparation of pleadings dealing with civil rights litigation, with an emphasis in police misconduct cases. As an attorney, he has handled many of the Los Angeles’s office’s most high - profile police misconduct cases, including those involving Geronimo Pratt, Reginald Denny, Devin Brown, Tyisha Miller, and, recently Mr. Dunn achieved a significa nt settlement in the federal civil rights case brought on behalf of the family of slain Marine Sergeant Manuel “Manny” Loggins. As one of the select few Los Angeles attorneys who have handled over a hundred separate civil rights cases, Mr. Dunn has achieve d multi - million - dollar settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of his clients, and several of his cases have resulted in unprecedented changes in the training programs of municipal police departments. In 2008, Mr. Dunn joined the ranks of the select few ci vil rights attorneys who have changed the law, having won a unanimous victory in the California Supreme Court in the case of Yount v. City of Sacramento, a landmark Supreme Court ruling which significantly expands the rights of convicted arrestees subjecte d to excessive force during arrest.
As a licensed attorney in multiple jurisdictions, Mr. Dunn is a member of the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Nevada, and has practiced in the United States District Courts for the Central, Eastern, Norther n, and Southern Districts of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Dunn has additionally been admitted to the United States Supreme Court, on a motion made to the Court by Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. himself.
Education
- B. A . – With Honors, University of California at Berkeley
- J.D. – University of Michigan
Bar Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Sheldon MillerOf Counsel
Nashville photographer
Sheldon Miller
Sheldon Miller is the managing attorney of The Cochran Firm Detroit and has been defending the rights of Michigan residents as a top litigator and expert counsel for more than 50 years. Sheldon is considered a legal pioneer, being the first to introduce the concept of mediation in the state of Michigan in 1971, and he served as the first plaintiff’s bar mediator in the state of Michigan. Because of his innovative concept, he was asked to form a committee to convert the concept into a rule. Sheldon served as president of the newly founded Mediation Tribunal Association in 1979, a non - profit corporation, formed to oversee the mediation process in Detroit. Given his extensive legal experience he is a lecturer and author on trial strategies and teaches trial practice as an adjunct professor of law. Sheldon was profiled in the books The Million Dollar Lawyers and Detroit’s Powers and Personalities, and he was also rated by The New York Journal as “one of the top tort litigators in the Unit ed States.”
HONROS & AWARDS
- Champion of Justice Award, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association
- Melvin Belli Society Award, 2014
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, Former President
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Former Vice President, Parliamentarian & Secretary
- Detroit Association of Trial Lawyers, Former President
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, Founder
EDUCATION
- L.L.B. – Wayne University School of Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Michigan
About Our Detroit Office
The Cochran Firm Detroit has served the residents of Michigan for over 15 years. In addition to its impressive roster of Michigan attorneys, The Cochran Firm Detroit also has access to the experience and resources of the entire Cochran Firm National organization. This gives our attorneys access to experts in fields across the legal spectrum, from personal injury to civil rights and medical malpractice. No matter your circumstances, the attorneys at The Cochran Firm Detroit are here to listen and help in your time of need.
When Johnnie Cochran founded The Cochran Firm, he set out with one goal in mind; To provide exceptional representation to victims of all types of injustice. Since its inception, The Cochran Firm has established itself as one of the premier plaintiff’s litigation and criminal defense law firms in the United States. The Cochran Firm has brought together some of the most highly respected and experienced men and women in the legal field.
Let the attorneys at The Cochran Firm Detroit put their experience to work for you.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Personal Injury
When you are injured in an accident you have two choices: you can rely on an insurance company to provide you with a settlement or you can call a lawyer who specializes in personal injury claims and take legal action. Before you make this choice it is important to remember that insurance companies serve their own best interests and are dedicated to increasing their profits.Auto Accident
Auto Accident
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an auto accident, you need a dedicated attorney on your side. The experienced auto accident lawyers at The Cochran Firm have a proven record of helping victims of injury get maximum compensation. We are here to take your case, fight for your rights, and help you get the justice you are due.Trucking Accident
Trucking Accident
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an auto accident, you need a dedicated attorney on your side. The experienced auto accident lawyers at The Cochran Firm have a proven record of helping victims of injury get maximum compensation. We are here to take your case, fight for your rights, and help you get the justice you are due.Police Brutality
Police Brutality
Most police officers are committed and ethical. They work a difficult, life-threatening job, and their days are extraordinarily stressful. However, police officers also exercise a great deal of control over the lives of the people they interact with, and an abuse of this power is particularly egregious.Medical Malpractice
Medical Malpractice
Hospitals are supposed to be places of healing. They’re where you go when you’re hurt or sick and you need the aid of well-educated, highly trained professionals. However, every year nearly 100,000 Americans die as a result of avoidable medical mistakes.Premise Liability
Premise Liability
Property owners have certain obligations under local, state and federal laws. While these laws vary, the basic underlying fact of them is similar regardless of where you live: property owners have an obligation to keep their land and the buildings on top of it safe for authorized visitors and those with business there.Workplace Injury
Workplace Injury
Workers’ Compensation
Workers' Compensation
Wrongful Death
Wrongful Death
Coping with the loss of a loved one can be one of the most trying times of your life. When your family member’s death was caused by another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, the grieving process only intensifies In these instances, you may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit and receive the closure and financial compensation to which you and your family are entitled.Civil Rights
Civil Rights
The Cochran Firm Legacy
Welcome to the website of The Cochran Firm, a law firm founded by legendary attorney Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. over four decades ago. With regional offices nationwide, The Cochran Firm is one of the nation’s largest personal injury & medical malpractice law firms with some of the most aggressive personal injury attorneys, known for their tireless and effective legal representation. The Cochran Firm Partners have secured over $35 Billion in verdicts, settlements, and judgments for our clients including but not limited to trucking accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases.
With a reputation like ours, it’s easy to get swept away with accolades and awards. At The Cochran Firm, though, our experienced and aggressive personal injury attorneys and criminal defense lawyers focus not on praise, but the dedication to handling quality, legal representation for injured people, their families, and the ordinary citizen, as implemented by Johnnie Cochran over four decades ago. Contact us today to speak with an expert criminal defense or personal injury lawyer, and schedule a consultation to discuss your personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death or other case.
Free Consultation
Free Consultation
Contact Us
Phone Number: (313) 774-2852
Fax: 248-538-527
Office Location
24901 Northwestern Hwy. STE 760
Southfield, Michigan 48075
Detroit Attorneys
James CarterAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in FL. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
James Carter
Partner/Managing Partner Trials & Mass Torts.
James Carter is an accomplished attorney, educator, statesman and author. He is the Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm Trials and Mass Torts and has dedicated his life to uplifting others. He often states that he could never thank God enough for his parents who gave him a solid foundation. Mr. Carter has tried to verdict, settled, and been associated with multiple high value cases ranging from $1,000,000.00 to mor than $70,000,000.00. His skillfully aggressive approach to the civil jury trial world gained him elite memberships into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Operating regularly as lead trial counsel when there are millions of dollars on the line, law firms throughout the United States hire Mr. Carter to try cases with their teams. For his accomplishments as an attorney and public servant, Grambling State University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws. Mr. Carter is admitted to practice in all Louisiana state courts, all Louisiana United States District Courts, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals as well as the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, Louisiana Association for Justice Board of Governors, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Black Lawyers Top 100 and Mass Tort Top 25 Trial Lawyers. He received a prized certification in Mass Tort Multi-District Litigation from the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke University School of Law. Advancing quality education is an important part of James Carter’s life. He is a Civil Trial Litigation Adjunct Professor at Howard University School of Law and sits on its Board of Visitors. In fact, the great Johnnie Cochran’s inspirational book titled A Lawyer’s Life is required reading for the Developing a High-End Civil Trial Practice course Mr. Carter teaches. He also served as an Adjunct Trial Advocacy Professor at the Tulane University School of Law. He serves as faculty for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and the National Bar Association-Civil Trial Advocacy Boot Camp Program. Mr. Carter is Vice-Chairman of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors (ULS)-the body that provides policy guidance and fiscal oversight for nine public universities in Louisiana. One of his crowning achievements on the ULS board is the establishment of the Reginald F. Lewis Educational Equity Initiative. He is a participant in a multi-year study of leadership in divided communities at the University of Oxford (Oxford, England) Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict. Mr. Carter has lectured in Europe, Canada, Panama, Jamaica and across the United States. He participated in the government of France Foreign Visitors Program to foster cultural understanding. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, he chose to take part in the rebuilding of his beloved community and city. He was elected as the second African American to serve as a New Orleans City Councilman in District C and on the first New Orleans City Council seated after the storm in 2006. As Chairman of the newly created City Council Criminal Justice Committee, he played the lead legislative criminal justice reform role in establishing the first City Charter mandated Division of the Independent Police Monitor (IPM). The IPM was created to protect citizens from police brutality and misconduct. He also ushered in the VERA Institute of Justice alternatives to incarceration initiative, Ceasefire program, Court Watch NOLA and legal protections for the Mardi Gras Indian Culture. From 2010 to 2012, James Carter had the honor to serve as a Fellow with the VERA Institute of Justice. Due to his exceptional reputation for implementing progressive criminal justice reform, in 2011, he was selected to serve as the first African-American Criminal Justice Commissioner in New Orleans’ history. Mr. Carter’s visionary criminal justice leadership is credited with positively transforming the justice system in New Orleans and materially causing sustained reductions in the murder rate. Mr. Carter is a philanthropist who gives so much to so many and donates his time to important causes. More recently, he established an endowed scholarship fund to benefit students who aspire to become lawyers. He also serves on the boards of the Multi-Cultural Media Correspondence Association, Common Good New Orleans and the internationally renowned New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, where he studied Theater. Moreover, Mr. Carter has served on the boards of the Urban League of New Orleans, Family Services of Greater New Orleans, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Second Harvest Food Bank and Greater New Orleans, Inc. James Carter has received multiple accolades and honors. He was given the VERA Institute Justice Award in 2009, Leadership Award-Bureau of Consular Affairs, Crime Coalition Distinguished Leadership Proclamation, Institute for Social Justice Award, Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana Award, Ebonetworks Changing Faces Award and the French Quarter Business Women-Darling Heart Award. In 2012 and 2016, New Orleans City Business Magazine recognized James Carter as a Leader in Law. Moreover, his historic alma mater McDonough #35 College Preparatory Senior High School inducted him into its Wall of Fame. James is married to Rene Carter who was recognized in 2016 by the Louisiana Department of Education as the Middle School Principle of the Year. They have one child, Brice Carter.Areas of Practice
- Catastrophic Personal Injury
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Products Liability
- Maritime
- Premises Liability
- Mesothelioma/Asbestos
- Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer
- Vaginal Mesh
- Opioid Litigation
Admitted to Practice
- All Louisiana Courts
- U.S.D.C. - Eastern District of Louisiana
- U.S.D.C. - Middle District of Louisiana
- U.S.D.C. - Western District of Louisiana
- U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal
- United States Supreme Court
Education
- Howard University School of Law (J.D.) – 1997 Washington D.C.
- Howard University (B.A.) – 1991 Washington D.C.
- McDonogh #35 College Preparatory Senior HighSchool – 1987
- New Orleans Center for the Creave Arts (Theater) - 1987
Presentations
- Mastering Art, Science & Craft of Advocacy Program, Faculty Member, National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA), New Orleans, Louisiana (January 24-25, 2019)
- Developing a High-End Civil Trial Practice, A Challenge in Diversity (CLE Seminar), 2019 National Bar Association Panama Mid-Winter Conference, Joint session with Judges and Attorneys, Panama City, Panama (January 19, 2019)
- Constitution Day Speaker, Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana (September 18, 2018)
- Law and Order, Atlanta Association of Insurance Professionals, 30th Anniversary Symposium and Luncheon, Atlanta, Georgia (August 16, 2018)
- GET INTO FOCUS, Making Money Moves, Increase Settlement Amounts and Improve Trial Results Using Focus Groups, 2018 National Bar Association Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana (August 1, 2018)
- A Change is Going to Come; The Wall Street Case for Diversity and Inclusion in 2018 (CLE Seminar), National Bar Association 93rd Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana (August 1, 2018)
- Civil Litigation, Benefits of Having Diversity in Civil Jury Practice, LJC/NBA Annual Meeting and CLE Seminar 2018, "Advancing Judicial Competency", Baton Rouge, Louisiana (February 16, 2018)
- Effective Opening and Closing Arguments, Lemoyne-Owen College, Memphis, Tennessee (February 7, 2018).
- Trial Advocacy (CLE Seminar) Jackson Barracks, Headquarters of Louisiana National Guard, New Orleans, Louisiana (June 2, 2018)
- Effective Closing Arguments, Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (April 11, 2018)
- Developing a High End Civil Trial Practice - Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C. (October 6-8, 2017 and October 5-7, 2018)
- Across Racial Lines: Transforming a City after a Natural Disaster – University of Oxford -Harris Manchester College, Annual Conference, Oxford, England (September 27, 2017)
- Get Into Focus: Increase Settlement Amounts and Improve Trial Results Using Focus Groups - National Bar Association Convention, Toronto, Canada (August 2, 2017)
- Ideological Passion v. Principled Pragmatism: Bridging the Racial Divide in Urban America, Unity Church-Unitarian, St. Paul, Minnesota (November 14, 2015)
Awards and Honors
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Civil Plaintiff
- Mass Tort TOP 25 Trial Lawyers
- Trucking TOP 10 Trial Lawyers
- Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, Grambling State University
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Black Lawyers Top 100
- New Orleans City Business Magazine, Leadership in Law Award, 2016 and 2012 Read more
- Leadership Award, Bureau of Consular Affairs
- VERA Institute of Justice, Award
- Crime Coalition, Distinguished Leader Proclamation
- Institute for Social Justice, Inc., Award
- Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana, Justice for Youth Award
- Ebonetworks, Changing Faces Award
- French Quarter Business Women Association, Darling Heart Award
Boards and Affiliations
- Howard University School of Law Board of Visitors, Board Member
- New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, Board Member
- Multicultural Media Correspondence Association, Advisory Board
- University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, Board Member
- Louisiana Association for Justice, Board of Governors
- Common Good New Orleans, Board Member
- Police and Justice Foundation Board, Board Member
Publications
-
- Danette O'Neal & James J. Carter, Money Matters 101: A Smart Money Guide for 18 and Beyond (2017)
- James Carter, Benefits of Having Diversity in Your Jury Trial Practice, LAJ (2013)
Perry SchneiderAttorney
Perry Schneider
Attorney
Perry graduated from Michigan State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While attending Wayne State University Law School, he clerked for the Hon. Alice L. Gilbert who handled a diverse civil and criminal docket at the Oakland County Circuit Court. During that clerkship, he gained immeasurable courtroom experience assisting the judge with trials that ranged from complex contract disputes to first-degree felonies. That experience informed his decisions as an attorney and has led to a 20-plus year career working as an advocate for people in such areas as: real estate law including landlord tenant; personal injury law including car accidents, no-fault, dog bite, slip and fall, and wrongful death cases; and Social Security Disability claims. In addition to the practice of law, Perry has worked extensively in management throughout his career. As a managing attorney, he prioritizes training and mentoring to foster and develop the next generation of superstar attorneys.Professional Associations
- Michigan Bar Association since 1997
- State Bar of Michigan Negligence Members Section
- State Bar of Michigan Social Security Disability Section
- State Bar of Michigan LGBTQA Members Section
Education
- B.F.A. – Michigan State University
- J.D. – Wayne State University
Bar Admissions
-
- Michigan
Channa LloydAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in FL. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Channa Lloyd
Attorney
As the Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm Orlando, Channa Lloyd concentrates and focuses her practice in the areas of family law, motor vehicle accidents, commercial motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death and civil rights violations. Originally from Miami, Florida she graduated from Florida International University with an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems and then attended Barry University School of Law. With experience in areas of technology and law, Channa is a frequent speaker on legal technology to legal organizations and associations.Professional Associations
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- American Bar Association
- National Bar Association
- Central Florida Association for Women
- Orange County Lawyers Association
- National Black Lawyers
- Florida Bar Association
- Middle District Bar
Education
- B.S. – Florida International University
- J.D. – Barry University School of Law
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Janieasha Freelove-SewellAttorney
Janieasha Freelove-Sewell
Janieasha graduated from Georgetown University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Spanish and English. She then taught Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade for six years, while at the same time, training new teachers and community leaders how to support students and families. Thereafter, she attended Michigan State University College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2017.
While in law school, Janieasha was a member of the Volunteer Advocates of Mid-Michigan, Associate Editor of the Journal of Animal and Natural Resources Law and a research assistant to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. She also interned for Justice Victoria Roberts of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and Judge Sheila R. Johnson of the 46th District Court, clerked at both a large-sized and mid-sized firm, externed at the Michigan Department of Attorney General in the Civil Litigation, Employment and Elections Division in Lansing and was a Student Clinician in the Housing Law and Chance at Childhood Legal Clinics. Throughout her experiences, Janieasha developed a passion for ensuring that all people have equitable treatment under the law. She uses this passion to help people involved in personal injury claims.
In her free time, Janieasha enjoys volunteering in the community, reading, traveling, singing and dancing.
Keith GivensAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in AL, FL, & GA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
J. Keith Givens
Keith Givens, managing partner and shareholder of The Cochran Firm, P.C., has been a civil trial lawyer for consumers and injury victims for over 35 years. A founding partner with Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., Keith has managed the firm’s national operations and growth since 1998. He concentrated his practice in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death. Currently, he focuses his practice on truck accident cases, product claims, and complex litigation. Keith has obtained over $1 billion in case verdicts and settlements for his clients. He obtained Alabama’s highest verdict for a single wrongful death, a $25 million jury verdict against a drunk driver and a lounge for the family of a man who was killed while jogging. He was also the plaintiffs’ attorney in the $700 million settlement of an environmental case involving PCB, which was the largest settlement in Alabama history at the time. Keith was a finalist for the Public Justice Foundation’s 2008 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, receiving recognition for his work on the environmental case of Perrine v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company. The Perrine case resulted in a $381 million jury verdict and was the highest consumer verdict in the nation in 2007.
Keith is a past president of The National Trial Lawyers Association, an invitation-only association of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state. He has been a member of The National Trial Lawyers Executive Committee since 2007 and a member of the Editorial Board for The Trial Lawyer, a nationally distributed magazine for trial lawyers, since 2010. Keith has served as president, president-elect and on the board of governors for The Alabama Association for Justice, with which he is a sustaining member. Keith also served as president of the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and was president of the Southeast Alabama Trial Lawyers Association for two years. He has been a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar Association (1989 – 2009) and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (1990 – 2007).
Honors & Awards
- Rated AV Preeminent® by the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register
- The Alabama Trial Lawyers Association’s Al Sansone Service Award
- Finalist for the Public Justice Foundation’s Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, 2008
- Named to Lawyers of Color Power List, 2015
- Named to The Trial Lawyer Magazine’s RoundTable
- America’s 50 Most Influential Trial Lawyers, 2014-2018
- America’s 100 Most Influential Trial Lawyers, 2011-2013
- Named one of The National Trial Lawyer’s Top 100 Alabama Trial Lawyers
Professional Associations
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
- Alabama Civil Justice Foundation
- Alabama Law School Foundation Board of Directors
- Alabama State Bar Association
- American Association of Justice
- Editorial Board for The Trial Lawyer
- Florida State Bar Association
- Georgia State Bar Association
- Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
- Houston County Bar Association
- Southeast Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
- The Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
- The National Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Committee Member, and former President
- University of Alabama, Law School Foundation, Board of Directors
Education
- B.S. – University of Alabama
- B.S. – University of Alabama
- J.D. – University of Alabama School of Law
Bar Admissions
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Washington D.C.
Jeffrey MitchellAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in LA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Jeffrey Mitchell
Born in Mobile, Alabama Jeff Mitchell graduated from Louisiana State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He attended Louisiana State University, The Paul M. Herbert, School of Law from which he obtained his Juris Doctor Degree in 1989.
Jeff has focused his practice primarily in the areas of Traumatic Brain Injuries and Medical Malpractice. Jeff is one of approximately 13 lawyers in Louisiana to be Board Certified in Medical Malpractice by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. Jeff also handles cases in the areas of Automobile Accidents, Products Liability, Premises Li ability and Maritime Law.
Mr. Mitchell was featured in the April 23, 2012 edition of Newsweek Magazine as one of the Nationwide Leading Attorneys in Medical Malpractice. Only 19 attorneys nationwide were featured overall and only 11 were featured in the area of medical malpractice. Mr. Mitchell was also selected for inclusion in the 2012-2019 editions of The Best Lawyers in America. Selection to Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 3.9 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys. Mr. Mitchell was also selected for inclusion in the 2012-2010 editions of Louisiana Super Lawyers in the area of medical malpractice. Only 5 percent of the attorneys in the State of Louisiana are named to the very prestigious list. Mr. Mitchell’s law firm, The Cochran Firm- Metairie was a recipient of the 2014-2016 Litigator Awards, which honors the top 1% of lawyers in this country. The awards are based on actual “Verdict & Settlement” dollar achievement rather than peer popularity making them perhaps the most rigorous and openly judged Award Ratings.
Mr. Mitchell was hand-picked by Mr. Cochran to serve as the Chairman of the Medical Malpractice Section of The Cochran Firm; Mr. Mitchell has served as the President of the National Brain Injury Trial Lawyers. Mr. Mitchell has authored numerous articles and appeared frequently as a lecturer at legal seminars on the topics of Medical Malpractice and Traumatic Brain Injuries.
HONROS & AWARDS
- AV Rating, Martindale - Hubbell
- National Finalist, Leading Lawyers in America, Law Dragon’s Annual Guide
- Leadership in Law Award, 2010
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, 2007 – 2010
- Top Lawyers in Medical Malpractice, New Orleans Magazine, 2009
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Louisiana Bar Association
- American College of Barristers
- Louisiana Association for Justice, Medical Malpractice Section
- National Trial Lawyers
EDUCATION
- B. S . – Louisiana State University
- J.D. – Louisiana State University Paul M. Herbert School of Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Louisiana
- Louisiana Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- Unites States Court of Federal Claims
Scott LeedsAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in FL. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Scott Leeds
Managing Partner
As managing partner of The Cochran Firm’s South Florida office in Ft. Lauderdale, Scott Leeds focuses his practice in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury and commercial litigation. Scott served as lead council in two landmark cases against the Republic of Cuba and obtained verdicts in excess of $94 million. A graduate of St. John’s University in Pharmacy, Scott became a licensed pharmacist in New York and Florida. He then obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law. With experience in areas of pharmacy and law, Scott is a frequent lecturer to both legal and medical organizations.Awards & Honors
- Super Lawyers
- Florida Trend Legal Elite
Professional Associations
- Law & Leading Attorneys Directory
- Florida Bar Association
- American Society of Pharmacy Law
- American Bar Association
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- Dade County Trial Lawyers Association
- Florida Justice Association
Education
- B.S. St. John’s University
- J.D. University of Miami School of Law
Bar Admissions
- Florida
Melvin Brooks Attorney
*Licensed to practice law in IL. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Melvin Brooks
Melvin Brooks is a managing partner for The Cochran Firm Chicago . Mr. Brooks represents clients in wrongful death and serious personal injury matters ranging from trucking and vehicular negligence, police misconduct, premises and products liability and medical negligence. Melvin began his career on the south side of Chicago at the law office of Benjamin E. Starks. He gained extensive experience as a civil litigator with the Corporation Counsel’s Office handling complex, multimillion - dollar exposure cases in 1986. His list of high - profile cases included having served as lead counsel in the E2 Nightclub litigation. Through Melvin’s efforts, over $20 million was recovered for families of the E2 victims. He also represented the family of Rekia Boyd, a young lady fatally shot by an off - duty, Chicago police officer and s uccessfully obtained an award of $4.5 million.
Melvin has successfully obtained more than $40 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is a member of the Federal Trial Bar. .
HONROS and AWARDS
- Leading Lawyers, Civil Rights, 2018
- Leading Lawyers, Personal Injury, 2018
- Nation’s Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015 – 2017
- Women of Wisdom’s Distinguished Service Award, 2009
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers Association, 2008 – 2011
- Harold Washington Historical Award, Cook County Bar Association, 2012
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- Cook County Bar Association
- Habilitative Systems, Inc., Board Chairperson
EDUCATION
- B.A. – Iowa State University
- J.D. – University of Iowa College of Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Illinois
- U.S. Supreme Court
Hezekiah SistrunkAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in GA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Hezekiah Sistrunk, Jr.
Hezekiah is a National Partner and President of The Cochran Firm, founded by the legendary Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. The Cochran Firm is one of the nation’s largest personal injury, medical malpractice and consumer law firms with some of the most aggressive personal injury attorneys, known for their tireless and effective legal representation. Hezekiah is also Chairman of the National Firm's Executive/Management Committee and the Managing Partner of the Firm's Atlanta Office. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict. Hezekiah and his trial teams have attained verdicts and settlements on behalf of injury victims and consumers in excess of $1Billion.
Hezekiah has authored and lectured on medical professional liability issues, complex litigation matters, including class action and mass tort litigation, and has conducted risk management and risk assessment seminars for various clients. In addition to his trial experience, lecturing and advising clients, Hezekiah has also served as a mediator in hundreds of matters.
Mr. Sistrunk’s practice focuses largely on the litigation of complex disputes involving common law, statutory law, contract law, physician and hospital liability law, product liability law, commercial, corporate and business issues, catastrophic personal injury cases and class action/ mass torts/pharmaceutical litigation. Over the course of his career, in fact, Mr. Sistrunk has prosecuted and defended hundreds of litigated matters before state courts, federal courts and administrative agencies and has tried over 100 cases to verdict
Mr. Sistrunk has lectured on medical professional liability issues, complex litigation matters including class action and mass tort litigation and has conducted risk management and risk assessment seminars for various clients. In addition to his trial experience, lecturing, and advising clients, Mr. Sistrunk has also served as a mediator in hundreds of matters
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITIONS
- "Top 100 Lawyers" in the state of Georgia-National Trial Lawyers Association (2011-2019). +AV Preeminent* rating-Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory (1989-2019)
- Charter Fellow-Litigation Counsel of America (2007-2019)
- Men Looking Ahead News Magazine 2011 annual "Power List of Georgia's Most Powerful and Influential Lawyers"
- Super Lawyers Magazine list of Georgia Super Lawyers (2007-2019)
- Inducted into the Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame (2011)
- Inducted as a Fellow into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (2012)
- Clarence Darrow Award during the Mass Torts Made Perfect Conference (2014)
- The National Bar Association Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. Legacy Award (2014)
- The Best Lawyers in America 2015 Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs and in the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 editions for his work in the areas of Personal Injury Litigation-Plaintiffs and Products Liability Litigation-Plaintiffs. In 2019 named “Lawyer of the Year" Products Liability Litigation-Plaintiffs - in Atlanta
- President of the National Trial Lawyers (2015)
- National Trial Lawyers Executive Committee (2008-2019)
- Lawyers of Color Fourth Annual Power List (2015)
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel (2015-2019)
- Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (2016-2019)
- National Trial Lawyers The RoundTable, America's 50 Most Influential Trial Lawyers (2017-2019)
- America’ Top 100 High Stakes Litigators (2017-2019)
- National Trial Lawyers Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame (2018)
- LAWDRAGON 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers (2019)
HONORS & AWARDS
- Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame
- Lawyer of the Year Award, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Atlanta, 2019
- Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia, National Trial Lawyers, 2011 – 2018
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale - Hubbell Law Directory
- Clarence Darrow Award
- Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. Award, National Bar Association
- Best Lawyers in America, 2015 - 2019
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Georgia Bar Association
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- National Board of Complex Litigation Lawyers, Founding Membe
EDUCATION
- B.A. – With Honors, North Carolina State University
- J.D. – Duke University Law School, Elv in R. Latty Scholar
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Atlanta, GA
James BryantAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in CA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
James Bryant, II
James A. Bryant is the head of the entertainment and business division at the Cochran Firm – California. James is both a litigation/trial and transactional attorney. His primary practice areas are entertainment, commercial/business, intellectual property, employment and real estate. As a litigator, James has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in many high profile business, entertainment and intellectual property matters. As a transactional attorney, he has negotiated numerous film and television proje cts, from development to distribution.
He began his legal career as an associate at a prestigious San Francisco law firm handling a number of high profile transactional and litigation matters including mergers and acquisitions, investment fund formation a nd secured transactions. James joined The Cochran Firm – California in 2014, establishing the firm’s entertainment and business division. He has obtained numerous dismissals and nearly $20 million in jury verdicts, arbitration awards and settlements on beh alf of his clients in both state and federal courts. James has also been engaged in negotiating a total of more than $1 billion in business transactions.
Honors & Awards
- California Super Lawyers, 2018
- California Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2015 – 2018
- University of California Berkeley, Student Body Vice President
- University of California Student Association, Legislative Body
Education
- B.S. – University of California at Berkeley
- J.D. – University of Michigan
Bar Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- Federal District Court, Northern District of California
Shean WilliamsAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in GA & OH. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Shean Williams
Partner
A dedicated fighter in the battle against injustice, Attorney Shean Williams is a masterful litigator who prides himself on his strong work ethic and tenacity. Mr. Williams simply doesn’t give up, and he always puts his clients first For the last 20 years Mr. Williams has been committed to fighting for injured people and their families in the areas of trucking litigation, auto accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home litigation, premises liability, civil rights litigation, and prod ucts liability. His jury verdicts and settlements are in excess of $80 million. Mr. Williams is proud to have obtained many multimillion - dollar verdicts and settlements for his injured clients. Specifically, Mr. Williams was one of the lead attorneys who obtained a $20 - Million wrongful death verdict in Clayton County, Georgia and a $17.5 Million verdict in Fulton County, Georgia. Mr. Williams’ specialty is the unique way he connects with members of his jury panel, making complex themes more relatable to the everyday person. Shean has his finger on the pulse of his community donating time, talent, and money to many diverse civic groups including New Mercies Christian Church, Project Destiny, Inc., Green Pastures Christian Church, The Winning Circle, and Star Struck Foundation. Mr. Williams shared a special bond with Founding Partner Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Their relationship went beyond the typical mentor - mentee relationship. They were more like father and son. Mr. Williams is reminded daily of the l essons and wisdom that Mr. Cochran imparted, and that inspiration is a driving force for him to continue Mr. Cochran’s legacy today.HONORS & AWARDS
- Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame
- Lawyer of the Year Award, Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Atlanta, 2019
- Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia, National Trial Lawyers, 2011 – 2018
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale - Hubbell Law Directory
- Clarence Darrow Award
- Maynard H. Jackson, Jr. Award, National Bar Association
- Best Lawyers in America, 2015 - 2019
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Georgia Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- The Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
- Gate City Bar Association
- National Bar Association
- The Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America
- B. S . – Miami University of Ohio
- J.D. – Georgia State University
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Georgia
- Federal Courts of the State of Georgia
- Appellate Courts of the State of Georgia
Paul WeitzAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in NY. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Paul B. Weitz
Prominent trial attorney Paul B. Weitz was the Founding and Managing Partner of Paul B. Weitz & Associates, a Partner in the personal injury firm of Schneider, Kleinick, Weitz, Damashek, a Partner at Kleinick & Weitz LLP, and currently the Managing Partner at The Cochran Firm New York.
After graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, he has spent the last quarter century handling cases which required complex litigation skills covering such categories as construction accident cases, medical malpractice actions, product liability suits and premises & automobile accidents. He has also co-authored “The Art of Summation”, an insightful analysis of successful jury summations by some of the nation’s most outstanding trial lawyers.
Mr. Weitz is a past president of the New York State Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a past officer of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and is currently serving on its Board of Directors. He frequently lectures to other lawyers practicing in the personal injury field.
Professional Associations
- American Board of Trial Advocates New York Chapter
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Directors
Education
- J.D. – Harvard University, Summa Cum Laude
Bar Admissions
- New York
Author
- The Art of Summation, Co-Author
Tracey BrownAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in NY, D.C., PA, & CA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Tracey L. Brown
Partner Tracey L. Brown joined The Cochran Firm in 2003 and has spearheaded the firm’s Employment Law practice area. She specializes in employment discrimination, civil rights and police misconduct matters. Her vigorous representation has resulted in mul tiple million - dollar settlements and verdicts.
Prior to joining The Cochran Firm Ms. Brown was Senior Counsel at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington D.C. where she litigated consumer fraud cases. She also served as a Deputy District Attorney for t he County of Los Angeles. A graduate of Boston College and St. John’s University Law School, she is licensed to practice law in New York, California, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania.
In addition to her legal work, Ms. Brown is the author of the best - selling book, “The Life and Times of Ron Brown”, a biography of the late U.S. Secretary of commerce Ronal H. Brown. Active in many civic and philanthropic organizations, Ms. Brown serves on the Board of Directors of the National Child Labor Committe e, FuturePac, and the Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development at St. John’s University Law School.
Education
- B.A. – Boston College
- J.D. – St. John’s University Law School
Bar Admissions
- New York
- California
- Washington D.C.
- Pennsylvannia
Author
- The Life and Times of Ron Brown, William Morrow/ Harper Collins Publishers , 1998
Derek SellsAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in NY, & D.C. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Derek Sells
Derek Sells is the Managing Partner for The Cochran Firm’s New York office. He is an exceptional trial attorney, having achieved many successful results, including a damages trial verdict against The City of New York for $33.52 Million Dollar, a result featured in the Nation Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts of 2002.
A 1985 graduate of Dartmouth College and a 1988 Yale Law School graduate, Derek began his legal career at the prestigious Washington, D.C. firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering. He then joined the Washington, D.C. Public Defender Service, rising to a senior trial attorney.
In 1995, Derek joined New York’s Schneider Kleinick Weitz Damashek & Shoot, later known as The Cochran Firm, Schneider Kleinick Weitz Damashek & Shoot, as a trial attor ney. In May 2002, Derek became Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm. He has since amassed an extraordinary number of Million Dollar verdicts and settlements, exceeding a total of $100 Million Dollars.
Derek has taught trial advocacy at various seminars, in cluding those sponsored by the New York State Trial lawyers Association, the New York State Bar Association and Harvard Law School. He is a member of the New York and Washington, D.C. bars.
Derek was selected to 2010 New York Super Lawyers for personal inj ury plaintiff – general. Only 5% of lawyers in the state of New York are chosen for this honor each year. The multi - phase, selection process for this recognition includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent evaluation of candidates by the attorne y - led, research staff at Super Lawyers, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good - standing and disciplinary check.
Professional Associations
- New York Bar Association
- Washington D.C. Bar Association
Education
- B.S. – Dartmouth College
- J.D. – Yale Law School
Bar Admissions
- New York
- Washington D.C.
Brian DunnAttorney
*Licensed to practice law in CA. Not licensed to practice law in MI*
Brian T. Dunn
Brian T. Dunn is the managing partner of the Cochran Firm California, the Los Angeles based office of founder Mr. Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. As one of the most experienced working advocate s for victims of police misconduct in the state of California, Mr. Dunn has a proven track record of victory against the largest municipalities in the state, often in the most complex and misunderstood circumstances surrounding officer involved shootings
Over his career 23 - year career, Brian has resolved over 200 cases in state and federal court, and the majority of these cases involved police shootings that all too often lead to the death of the victim. No other attorney has better expertise in handling m atters of police shootings, and no other attorney is better equipped to help a jury understand the responsibilities of police officers, departments, and the law, as it relates to a police officer’s use of deadly force.
Having spent his entire career with The Cochran Firm’s Los Angeles office, Brian was originally hired by Johnnie Cochran himself in the summer of 1992, as a law clerk assigned to legal research and the preparation of pleadings dealing with civil rights litigation, with an emphasis in police misconduct cases. As an attorney, he has handled many of the Los Angeles’s office’s most high - profile police misconduct cases, including those involving Geronimo Pratt, Reginald Denny, Devin Brown, Tyisha Miller, and, recently Mr. Dunn achieved a significa nt settlement in the federal civil rights case brought on behalf of the family of slain Marine Sergeant Manuel “Manny” Loggins. As one of the select few Los Angeles attorneys who have handled over a hundred separate civil rights cases, Mr. Dunn has achieve d multi - million - dollar settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of his clients, and several of his cases have resulted in unprecedented changes in the training programs of municipal police departments. In 2008, Mr. Dunn joined the ranks of the select few ci vil rights attorneys who have changed the law, having won a unanimous victory in the California Supreme Court in the case of Yount v. City of Sacramento, a landmark Supreme Court ruling which significantly expands the rights of convicted arrestees subjecte d to excessive force during arrest.
As a licensed attorney in multiple jurisdictions, Mr. Dunn is a member of the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Nevada, and has practiced in the United States District Courts for the Central, Eastern, Norther n, and Southern Districts of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Dunn has additionally been admitted to the United States Supreme Court, on a motion made to the Court by Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. himself.
Education
- B. A . – With Honors, University of California at Berkeley
- J.D. – University of Michigan
Bar Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Sheldon MillerOf Counsel
Nashville photographer
Sheldon Miller
Sheldon Miller is the managing attorney of The Cochran Firm Detroit and has been defending the rights of Michigan residents as a top litigator and expert counsel for more than 50 years. Sheldon is considered a legal pioneer, being the first to introduce the concept of mediation in the state of Michigan in 1971, and he served as the first plaintiff’s bar mediator in the state of Michigan. Because of his innovative concept, he was asked to form a committee to convert the concept into a rule. Sheldon served as president of the newly founded Mediation Tribunal Association in 1979, a non - profit corporation, formed to oversee the mediation process in Detroit. Given his extensive legal experience he is a lecturer and author on trial strategies and teaches trial practice as an adjunct professor of law. Sheldon was profiled in the books The Million Dollar Lawyers and Detroit’s Powers and Personalities, and he was also rated by The New York Journal as “one of the top tort litigators in the Unit ed States.”
HONROS & AWARDS
- Champion of Justice Award, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association
- Melvin Belli Society Award, 2014
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, Former President
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Former Vice President, Parliamentarian & Secretary
- Detroit Association of Trial Lawyers, Former President
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, Founder
EDUCATION
- L.L.B. – Wayne University School of Law
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Michigan
About Our Detroit Office
The Cochran Firm Detroit has served the residents of Michigan for over 15 years. In addition to its impressive roster of Michigan attorneys, The Cochran Firm Detroit also has access to the experience and resources of the entire Cochran Firm National organization. This gives our attorneys access to experts in fields across the legal spectrum, from personal injury to civil rights and medical malpractice. No matter your circumstances, the attorneys at The Cochran Firm Detroit are here to listen and help in your time of need.
When Johnnie Cochran founded The Cochran Firm, he set out with one goal in mind; To provide exceptional representation to victims of all types of injustice. Since its inception, The Cochran Firm has established itself as one of the premier plaintiff’s litigation and criminal defense law firms in the United States. The Cochran Firm has brought together some of the most highly respected and experienced men and women in the legal field.
Let the attorneys at The Cochran Firm Detroit put their experience to work for you.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Personal Injury
When you are injured in an accident you have two choices: you can rely on an insurance company to provide you with a settlement or you can call a lawyer who specializes in personal injury claims and take legal action. Before you make this choice it is important to remember that insurance companies serve their own best interests and are dedicated to increasing their profits.Auto Accident
Auto Accident
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an auto accident, you need a dedicated attorney on your side. The experienced auto accident lawyers at The Cochran Firm have a proven record of helping victims of injury get maximum compensation. We are here to take your case, fight for your rights, and help you get the justice you are due.Trucking Accident
Trucking Accident
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an auto accident, you need a dedicated attorney on your side. The experienced auto accident lawyers at The Cochran Firm have a proven record of helping victims of injury get maximum compensation. We are here to take your case, fight for your rights, and help you get the justice you are due.Police Brutality
Police Brutality
Most police officers are committed and ethical. They work a difficult, life-threatening job, and their days are extraordinarily stressful. However, police officers also exercise a great deal of control over the lives of the people they interact with, and an abuse of this power is particularly egregious.Medical Malpractice
Medical Malpractice
Hospitals are supposed to be places of healing. They’re where you go when you’re hurt or sick and you need the aid of well-educated, highly trained professionals. However, every year nearly 100,000 Americans die as a result of avoidable medical mistakes.Premise Liability
Premise Liability
Property owners have certain obligations under local, state and federal laws. While these laws vary, the basic underlying fact of them is similar regardless of where you live: property owners have an obligation to keep their land and the buildings on top of it safe for authorized visitors and those with business there.Workplace Injury
Workplace Injury
Workers’ Compensation
Workers' Compensation
Wrongful Death
Wrongful Death
Coping with the loss of a loved one can be one of the most trying times of your life. When your family member’s death was caused by another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, the grieving process only intensifies In these instances, you may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit and receive the closure and financial compensation to which you and your family are entitled.Civil Rights
Civil Rights
The Cochran Firm Legacy
Welcome to the website of The Cochran Firm, a law firm founded by legendary attorney Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. over four decades ago. With regional offices nationwide, The Cochran Firm is one of the nation’s largest personal injury & medical malpractice law firms with some of the most aggressive personal injury attorneys, known for their tireless and effective legal representation. The Cochran Firm Partners have secured over $35 Billion in verdicts, settlements, and judgments for our clients including but not limited to trucking accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases.
With a reputation like ours, it’s easy to get swept away with accolades and awards. At The Cochran Firm, though, our experienced and aggressive personal injury attorneys and criminal defense lawyers focus not on praise, but the dedication to handling quality, legal representation for injured people, their families, and the ordinary citizen, as implemented by Johnnie Cochran over four decades ago. Contact us today to speak with an expert criminal defense or personal injury lawyer, and schedule a consultation to discuss your personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death or other case.