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A Lawyer's Life
The most famous lawyer in America talks about the law, his life, and how he has won.
Johnnie Cochran has been a lawyer for almost forty years. In that time, he has taken on dozens of groundbreaking cases and emerged as a pivotal figure in race relations in America. Cochran gained international recognition as one of America's best - and most controversial lawyers - for leading 'the Dream Team' defense of accused killer O.J. Simpson in the Trial of the Century. Many people formed their perception of Cochran based on his work in that trial. But long before the Simpson trial and since then Johnnie Cochran has been a leader in the fight for justice for all Americans. This is his story.
Cochran emerged from the trial as one of the nation's leading African-American spokespersons - and he has done most of his talking through the courtroom. Abner Louima. Amadou Diallo. The racially-profiled New Jersey Turnpike Four. Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. Patrick Dorismond. Cynthia Wiggins. These are the names that have dominated legal headlines - and Cochran was involved with each of them. No one who first encountered him during the Simpson trial can appreciate his impact on our world until they've read his whole story.
Drawing on Cochran's most intriguing and difficult cases, A Lawyer's Life shows how he's fought his critics, won for his clients, and affected real change within the system. This is an intimate and compelling memoir of one lawyer's attempt to make us all truly equal in the eyes of the law.
Johnnie Cochran has been a lawyer for almost forty years. In that time, he has taken on dozens of groundbreaking cases and emerged as a pivotal figure in race relations in America. Cochran gained international recognition as one of America's best - and most controversial lawyers - for leading 'the Dream Team' defense of accused killer O.J. Simpson in the Trial of the Century. Many people formed their perception of Cochran based on his work in that trial. But long before the Simpson trial and since then Johnnie Cochran has been a leader in the fight for justice for all Americans. This is his story.
Cochran emerged from the trial as one of the nation's leading African-American spokespersons - and he has done most of his talking through the courtroom. Abner Louima. Amadou Diallo. The racially-profiled New Jersey Turnpike Four. Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. Patrick Dorismond. Cynthia Wiggins. These are the names that have dominated legal headlines - and Cochran was involved with each of them. No one who first encountered him during the Simpson trial can appreciate his impact on our world until they've read his whole story.
Drawing on Cochran's most intriguing and difficult cases, A Lawyer's Life shows how he's fought his critics, won for his clients, and affected real change within the system. This is an intimate and compelling memoir of one lawyer's attempt to make us all truly equal in the eyes of the law.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2002
25 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Johnnie Cochran
5 books9 followersJohnnie L. Cochran, Jr. was an American lawyer perhaps best known for his leadership in the legal defense of O. J. Simpson, who was charged with the murder of his former wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Cochran also represented Sean Combs (during his trial on gun and bribery charges), Michael Jackson, actor Todd Bridges, football player Jim Brown, rappers Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg, and Reginald Oliver Denny, the trucker beaten by a mob during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. He also defended athlete Marion Jones when she faced charges of doping during her high school track career. Cochran was known for his skill in the courtroom and his prominence as an early advocate for victims of alleged police abuse.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 3, 2021
What a good book . The injustice my fellow African Americans went through was very highlighted in this book . It’s sad this book was written almost a decade ago .... and the same unrest that many people went through is still Happening today. What I loved about this book , it spoke volumes of what a great man Mr.Cochran was he defended everyone not just black , and yes he lost cases but even when he lost cases it always put a spotlight on what’s wrong w| the system .
This book was a long good read , Mr.Cochran was definitely for the people , he lost his own brother but still Pursued law being the best to do it . From gaining experience, trust , and other proper tools to make change no matter how big or small he brought attention to unfairness that many people experienced ..... he defended broke people, rich people , and many minorities who didn’t have a voice ..... he changed the way of law forever and forced the evilness of the world to be held accountable.
His due diligence even helped him get together a sensational team to bring-forth his vision for equality I respect Mr.Cochran and his firm he was such a deserving man who more lawyers , attorneys , and law makers should aspire to be like .
He was a very patient admirable man who wanted to do what’s right and be an example for other black people so they can follow in his footsteps since their wasn’t a lot of black people in the legal field , he became the token black person while everyone slept on him he came up as a black mamba who was paid fist over hand to challenge the unfairness of the law !
If he wasn’t soooo good at his job there would be no COURT TV. he grew up a great student , good head on his shoulders expecting to be a DR . But was lead somewhere, where he was really needed ! : A lawyer a powerhouse attorney. The law needed him more than he needed the law especially ones killed, beat , injured on the job , harassed , sexual assaulted , especially citizens racially profiled, and down right threatened by the cops . he worked as prosecutor then went out to work for the other side !
He was definitely lead by GOD to work on the right side of justice . I’m surprised he didn’t want to be a judge...... but he knew the game and wanted to beat the oppressors at their own game. This book has many sad chapters so many people killed , hurt , beat down by those who are supposed to serve and protect , thanks to MR. Cochran for making it his job to be there for the voiceless and brokenness of the system .... he was definitely a gladiator!
There was no way for Mr.Cochran in the legal field but he worked hard and made a way for his own . He spent his whole life being a virtuous man seeking justice or whatever his clients wanted . It was sooo many sad legal stories in this book he worked hard getting justice , breaking down the system , all the while being hated for doing what was right..... he definitely beat the system at its own game ...... he never gave up on his profession no matter how many times he was threatened, hated , made fun of , and racial profiled he kept pushing and even called out a lot of the BS even by his own people.....
May he Rest In Peace !!! I hope to see more lawyers like him !
This book was a long good read , Mr.Cochran was definitely for the people , he lost his own brother but still Pursued law being the best to do it . From gaining experience, trust , and other proper tools to make change no matter how big or small he brought attention to unfairness that many people experienced ..... he defended broke people, rich people , and many minorities who didn’t have a voice ..... he changed the way of law forever and forced the evilness of the world to be held accountable.
His due diligence even helped him get together a sensational team to bring-forth his vision for equality I respect Mr.Cochran and his firm he was such a deserving man who more lawyers , attorneys , and law makers should aspire to be like .
He was a very patient admirable man who wanted to do what’s right and be an example for other black people so they can follow in his footsteps since their wasn’t a lot of black people in the legal field , he became the token black person while everyone slept on him he came up as a black mamba who was paid fist over hand to challenge the unfairness of the law !
If he wasn’t soooo good at his job there would be no COURT TV. he grew up a great student , good head on his shoulders expecting to be a DR . But was lead somewhere, where he was really needed ! : A lawyer a powerhouse attorney. The law needed him more than he needed the law especially ones killed, beat , injured on the job , harassed , sexual assaulted , especially citizens racially profiled, and down right threatened by the cops . he worked as prosecutor then went out to work for the other side !
He was definitely lead by GOD to work on the right side of justice . I’m surprised he didn’t want to be a judge...... but he knew the game and wanted to beat the oppressors at their own game. This book has many sad chapters so many people killed , hurt , beat down by those who are supposed to serve and protect , thanks to MR. Cochran for making it his job to be there for the voiceless and brokenness of the system .... he was definitely a gladiator!
There was no way for Mr.Cochran in the legal field but he worked hard and made a way for his own . He spent his whole life being a virtuous man seeking justice or whatever his clients wanted . It was sooo many sad legal stories in this book he worked hard getting justice , breaking down the system , all the while being hated for doing what was right..... he definitely beat the system at its own game ...... he never gave up on his profession no matter how many times he was threatened, hated , made fun of , and racial profiled he kept pushing and even called out a lot of the BS even by his own people.....
May he Rest In Peace !!! I hope to see more lawyers like him !
July 11, 2017
Good read
you would think he wrote this book yesterday with all the issues that's going on today. He also lets you know just how mush the law can be fair and unfair at times, kinda makes you not afraid but prepared. This man deserves a movie or some type of real recognition for his life's work and dedication to the black community.
you would think he wrote this book yesterday with all the issues that's going on today. He also lets you know just how mush the law can be fair and unfair at times, kinda makes you not afraid but prepared. This man deserves a movie or some type of real recognition for his life's work and dedication to the black community.
June 29, 2016
To most people that haven't read Johnnie Cochrane's autobiography, they probably don't think much of him. They probably even think of Johnnie as just some grandstanding type of shouting-lawyer bobble-head characture; but nothing could be further from the truth. Now, I'll admit that Johnnie is no Toni Morrison, and he's not a writer, but his life story is story of racial injustice in Los Angeles and in America as a whole. Mr. Cochrane was the first Black lawyer to have taken on the LAPDs racist and often unjust killings as early as 1962. A book I found to be worth re-reading especially during Fx's OJ miniseries.
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September 1, 2020Johnnie Cochran is literally the truth and nothing but the truth
Why aren't we celebrating men like Johnnie Cochran and Thurgood Marshall? They had answers. We need Johnnie Cochran's wisdom today!
Why aren't we celebrating men like Johnnie Cochran and Thurgood Marshall? They had answers. We need Johnnie Cochran's wisdom today!
April 4, 2023
Amazing!
Amazing book. It’s a thorough exposition of the life of a legal mammoth, towering above his compatriots. Famed for the OJ case, his other cases were just as engrossing and some held even greater importance. A book is a journey and I loved this ride!
Amazing book. It’s a thorough exposition of the life of a legal mammoth, towering above his compatriots. Famed for the OJ case, his other cases were just as engrossing and some held even greater importance. A book is a journey and I loved this ride!
September 22, 2013
Amazing stories from Johnny about police wrong doing. All the examples of the cases that he takes are examples of extreme police evil.
February 12, 2017
Love Love this book read it years ago. He was an excellent person and Lawyer way before he representing O.J.
May 27, 2025
I'm sure that 99% of people, like me, come to this book for the O.J. Simpson content, but it honestly offers so much more than that. After reading it, I have a profoundly different view of Johnny Cochran. He wasn't just a mystical figure; he was a man who saw evil in the world and worked to remedy it through the law.
He did so much good for many people, and the world could use more individuals like him.
My only complaint is that the book became a bit formulaic: He had a case involving terrible racism or other discrimination, and then he won it. Although I suppose that was his life! Also, I would have liked more discussion of his process. How did he do his jury selection or review discovery? Although I do realize that this was not the book for that, I personally would have enjoyed that very much!
He did so much good for many people, and the world could use more individuals like him.
My only complaint is that the book became a bit formulaic: He had a case involving terrible racism or other discrimination, and then he won it. Although I suppose that was his life! Also, I would have liked more discussion of his process. How did he do his jury selection or review discovery? Although I do realize that this was not the book for that, I personally would have enjoyed that very much!
May 28, 2024
Although redundant at times, Mr. Cochran asks a lot of important questions, which make sense, with regard to America's dual personality toward whites and minorities. One may not have agreed with the man, but by reading his stories, he made valid arguments to pursue justice and correct injustice. What a life...
August 16, 2017
Very interesting book. Nice insight on way he choose the cases he did
March 18, 2018
Bueno pero desorganizado
Buen libro. Recorrido por la vida de Cochran. Desafortunadamente no tiene orden lógico o cronológico alguno. Eso dificulta su lectura.
Buen libro. Recorrido por la vida de Cochran. Desafortunadamente no tiene orden lógico o cronológico alguno. Eso dificulta su lectura.
September 21, 2025
Autobiography of his early cases, struggles, and breakthroughs.
December 31, 2012
This book gave me renewed respect for Johnnie Cochran by giving me a glimpse of his work and mind. I was most impressed with his candor that practice of law afforded him a very comfortable lifestyle but also that he used the law as an instrument for achieving justice. I salute!
February 27, 2016
Great insight
This books completely debunks the Cochran portrayal on the. American time story show Johnnie was thorough
He beat up Disney, lapd, nypd, Lockheed and Johnson n Johnson
This books completely debunks the Cochran portrayal on the. American time story show Johnnie was thorough
He beat up Disney, lapd, nypd, Lockheed and Johnson n Johnson
October 19, 2016
Read this book and let Johnnie Cochran tell you why he’s a goddamn hero. The entire thing feels like Cochran has just sat you down at his desk and started telling old war stories; authentic, charming, a great book.
November 11, 2007
Interesting book that gave some insight into the personal life of this very public persona. Gave more dimension to a man primarily known as OJ's defense counsel.
January 13, 2011
Reading this book was truly a learning experience! Great book!
June 14, 2013
A lawyer with a rigorous mind and intense delivery.
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June 6, 2016Best lawyering book I ever read!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews