President
Hezekiah Sistrunk, Jr.
President & National Partner
Hezekiah Sistrunk, Jr., is a National Partner and
President of The Cochran Firm, Chairman of the
National Firm’s Executive/Management Committee
and the Managing Partner of the Firm’s Atlanta Office.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the core leadership of The Cochran Firm. Comprised of Mr. Cochran’s
founding partners, protege’s and closest colleagues, the Board of Directors meets to determine the
direction of The Firm and discuss ways to best continue the legacy that Johnnie Cochran left behind.
Hezekiah Sistrunk, Jr.
The Cochran Firm Atlanta
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
J. Keith Givens
The Cochran Firm Dothan
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.
Derek Sells
The Cochran Firm New York
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.
Angela Mason
The Cochran Firm Dothan
Angela Mason
Angela Mason serves as the managing partner for The Cochran Firm – Dothan and sits on the Board of Directors for the National Cochran Firm. She began practicing law in 1996, first serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Ira DeMent in the Middle District of Alabama and then beginning private practice with the law firm that would evolve into The Cochran Firm. Her personal injury law practice focuses primarily on complex and mass torts litigation, pursuing claims for people who have been injured or treated unfairly by negligent and irresponsible corporations. Most recently, she has been litigating against pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers who distributed dangerous products in the marketplace, large corporations who denied their employees’ fair wages, and large corporations who have contaminated people and their properties with dangerous substances. A finalist for the Public Justice Foundation’s 2008 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, Angela was recognized for her work on the environmental case of Perrine v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company. The Perrine case resulted in a $390 million verdict and was the highest consumer verdict in the U.S. in 2007.
Licensed to practice law in Alabama, Georgia and Washington, D.C., and admitted pro hac vice to numerous state and federal courts, Angela has worked with top trial lawyers from around the nation on numerous lawsuits. She has been appointed to the Discovery Teams for Multi-district Litigation in the DePuy ASR Hip Litigation in Ohio, the DePuy Pinnacle Hip Litigation in Texas and the Yasmin & Yaz Liability Litigation in Illinois. Angela served on the bellwether trial teams in both the DePuy Pinnacle and Yasmin & Yaz litigations, and she was appointed to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee in the Just For Men Hair Color lawsuit as well.
Honors & Awards
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Alabama, 2013 – 2018
- Very High Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, 2017 – 2018
- The Cochran Firm’s President Award, 2010
- Finalist for the Public Justice Foundation’s Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, 2008
- Lawyers of Distinction, 2018
Professional Associations & Memberships
- American Association of Justice
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- Alabama Trial Lawyers Association Editorial Board
- Mass Tort Trial Lawyers Association Executive Committee
- Houston County Bar Association, Grievance Committee & Board of Directors
Education
- B.A. – With Highest Honors, Auburn University
- M.A. – With Highest Honors, Auburn University
- J.D. – Summa Cum Laude, University of Georgia School of Law
Bar Admissions
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Washington D.C.
Jeffery Mitchell
The Cochran Firm New Orleans
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
Shean Williams
The Cochran Firm Atlanta
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
EDUCATION
- 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
Samuel Cherry
The Cochran Firm Mid-South
Samuel Cherry
Sam Cherry is a founding partner of The Cochran Firm, Managing Attorney for The Cochran Firm Mid-South, and serves as a member of The Cochran Firm’s management team for national operations. Sam is nationally acclaimed for verdicts and settlements in product liability cases where he has obtained over $160 million for his clients. At 11 years old, he was involved in a horrible vehicle accident that cost him his left eye and seriously disfigured his face. He suffered numerous orthopedic injuries involving his spine, arms and legs, was unconscious for three weeks and endured over 20 surgeries in attempts to correct some of the damage. As such, Sam understands the pain and suffering that his clients face. He has been very instrumental in the development of product liability claims against manufacturers of defective aerial lift devices. Because of his efforts, many safety innovations have been incorporated within the aerial lift device industry
Professional Associations
- Alabama Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Washington D.C. Bar Association
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
Education
- J.D. – Cumberland School of Law
Hezekiah Sistrunk, Jr.
The Cochran Firm Atlanta
Learn More
J. Keith Givens
The Cochran Firm Dothan
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Derek Sells
The Cochran Firm New York
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Angela Mason
The Cochran Firm Dothan
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Jeffery Mitchell
The Cochran Firm New Orleans
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Shean Williams
The Cochran Firm Atlanta
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Samuel Cherry
The Cochran Firm Mid-South
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