Darrell has earned a national reputation as a highly-respected leader in the legal community.

For over three decades, Darrell Cochran has struck fear in his legal opponents. And for good reason.

Darrell has won hundreds of cases and negotiated millions of dollars in settlements for his clients. He’s taken on and defeated some of the most powerful corporations, religious organizations, government agencies, school districts and many other entities for his clients. He’s brought the fight for justice all the way to the US Supreme Court, and won. He’s also served as co-counsel – often taking the lead at trial in the courtroom – for attorneys across the country who’ve retained him to deliver victory in a wide range of cases including catastrophic injury, product liability, sexual abuse, insurance bad faith and more.

Darrell is known for his fierce and tireless dedication to serving his clients. He stands by them not only throughout a case – sometimes taking years – but remains a close and trusted ally even after. His values and work ethic shine as he forges deep relationships with those he stands up for. Compassion and caring are at the core of his practice. And he’s assembled an expert team of legal professionals to support and nurture every client, while confidently shepherding them through the often-intimidating and challenging legal process.

Darrell has earned a national reputation as a highly-respected leader in the legal community. He’s appeared for argument in the US Supreme Court, and argued cases in the US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Washington State Supreme Court and all of its appellate divisions. He testifies and lobbies the Washington State Legislature regularly, advocating for legislation on behalf of victims rights and other key issues. And he served as an Adjunct Professor teaching product liability in the Seattle University School of Law.

Seamlessly Integrating Professional and Personal

Family ultimately comes first for the entire Cochran Crew.  From his wife having worked on cases with him for over 15 years, to his parents attending virtually all of his trials since their retirement 15 years ago, all the way to 18 years of his kids supporting him from the courtroom pews or even drawing pictures left in his trial binders for “good luck”.

Darrell has always had the constant love and support of his Cochran Crew.  He in turn sacrifices sleep to devote his extremely limited free time to supporting his family in all of their activities, pursuits and passions.  From flying across the country to visit their daughter at New York University or down to California to visit their son at U.C. Irvine Law School, to college tours with their senior daughter, to grabbing lunch with their recently married son who is an occupational therapist, or golfing and fishing with his middle school son, Darrell finds no greater joy than spending time with his wife as they watch their kids’ adventure through life.

But make no mistake:  While his family, friends and clients love him, when opposing counsel knows Darrell is on the case, his reputation precedes him as one of the most formidable and feared opponents they’ll go up against in their entire careers.  His tireless and relentless passion to defending and giving a voice to people who cannot otherwise advocate for themselves is unsurpassed, and his results show it.

Cochran family photo
From left to right: Cade, Taylor, Wendy, Cooper, Darrell, Skylar, Decker

Family ultimately comes first for the entire Cochran crew. They (including his parents) can often be found supporting Darrell during a trial from the courtroom pews, while he trades sleep to devote his extremely limited free time supporting them in all of their activities, pursuits and passions.  The list is long: cheering on his beloved UW Huskies across the country; hitting the gym before dawn with his powerlifting daughter and son; flying to LA to visit with his son clerking at a major law firm ahead of pursuing law school; cheering on his daughters at their track and field meets, grabbing a meal with another son who recently launched into a promising career as an occupational therapist; and golfing and fishing with his youngest son.

But make no mistake: While his family, friends and clients love him, when opposing counsel knows Darrell is on the case, his reputation precedes him as one of the most formidable and feared opponents they’ll go up against in their entire careers.

Darrell Cochran

Partner

Professional Associations

  • American Association for Justice
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Litigation Counsel of America™, Senior Fellow
  • Law360’s 2021 Personal Injury Editorial Advisory Board
  • Damage Attorney’s Round Table
  • Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ), President (2017-2018); Board of Directors
  • Justice for All PAC Board
  • Washington State Supreme Court Pattern Jury Instruction Committee
  • American Bar Association
  • Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
  • King County Bar Association

Honors

Darrell has also spoken at numerous prestigious industry gatherings across the country including at multiple WSAJ annual conventions and events, in media and other forums. He regularly appears in the media. And he has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the Seattle University School of Law teaching Products Liability.

Individual Honors:
  • Martindale-Hubbell – AV Preeminent rating
  • Washington State Association for Justice, President’s Award, 2022
  • Washington State Association for Justice (formerly Washington State Trial Lawyer Association), Trial Lawyer of the Year 2015
  • The American Lawyer, West Trailblazer, 2022
  • National Law Journal, Plaintiffs’ Attorney Trailblazer, 2022
  • National Law Journal, Litigation Trailblazer, 2020
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, 2022–2023
  •  Selected to Thomson Reuters Washington Super Lawyers, Top 100, 2015–2024
  •  Selected to Thomson Reuters Washington Super Lawyers, 2001–2024
  • National Association for Legal Support Professionals – Pierce County – voted “Boss of the Year”
  • National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Civil Plaintiff – 2024
  • 2025’s Best Lawyers in America
  • National Trial Lawyers – Products Liability Top 25

 

Case Recognition:
  • Top 100 US verdicts Rehkter v Washington DSHS $57 million, 2010
  • The Recorder, Top 25 Verdicts & Settlements of the West, 2020

Bar Admissions

  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Education

The University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • J.D. – 1993

University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

  • B.A. – 1990
  • Major: Political Science
  • Major: Communications
  • Magna cum laude
  • Phi Beta Kappa