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.

Family and work integrate seamlessly in Darrell’s life. His wife Wendy and five children have been a big part of his practice, spending countless weekends in the office together – his family often helping him storyboard cases, helping with research, drawing pictures of him for good luck. Wendy worked with Darrell for 15 years and continues serving as a trusted advisor, while his family (including his parents) can often be found supporting Darrell during a trial from the courtroom pews.

But family ultimately comes first. His somewhat limited free time is spent cheering on his beloved UW Huskies with his wife and kids, lifting weights at 6 a.m. with his powerlifting daughter and son, flying to LA to visit his son at UCLA, cheering on his daughters at their track and field meets, and golfing and fishing with his youngest son.

But make no mistake: While 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, 2015–2023
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Trial Lawyer of the Year, 2015
  •  Selected to Thomson Reuters Washington Super Lawyers, 2001–2023
  • National Association for Legal Support Professionals – Pierce County – voted “Boss of the Year”
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
Meet the Team
Sarah Awes
Read Bio
Laura Neal
Read Bio
KC Moore
Read Bio
Jessica Gott
Read Bio
Grayson Warren
Read Bio
Katie Hedger
Read Bio
Sarah Awes

As the Senior Legal/Executive Assistant for Darrell Cochran’s law practice, Sarah is the glue that holds everything together. Hailing from Gig Harbor, WA, Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington, a paralegal certificate from Tacoma Community College and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She has worked at PCVA since January 2017, directly supporting all facets of the practice. Prior to working at PCVA she was a successful small business owner. Sarah loves reading, true crime podcasts, being active and dominating the firm fantasy football league.

Laura Neal

Laura began her legal career at PCVA in 2009 working summers while attending Whitworth University in Spokane, WA. After graduating with a BA in Communications in 2011, she returned to the firm full time and has been a part of Darrell’s team for the last 12 years. She’s been an integral part of the significant growth and accomplishments of Darrell’s team and the firm as a whole.

Laura is a native of Port Orchard but says she’s fallen in love with Tacoma over the past decade. She’s a loving mom to two rescue dogs, one from Thailand and one from Tunisia, and spends much of my free time exploring the Pacific Northwest with them. She prides herself on her savant-like knowledge of The Office, having watched every episode numerous times.

KC Moore

A Northern California native, KC relocated to the Pacific Northwest after graduating from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. KC takes pride in being part of a team that works tirelessly advocating for those that have experienced inexcusable hardship and is constantly impressed by the intelligence, integrity, and compassion each team member brings to the battles they wage on behalf of clients every day.

In her spare time, KC enjoys spending time with her dog and family hiking, paddleboarding, and enjoying all that the beautiful State of Washington has to offer.

Jessica Gott

Jessica is a true slugger on the team, having played collegiate softball at the University of Puget Sound. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and has been with PCVA for five years. Making a difference in client lives is what drives her every day.

Jessica loves watching movies with her dog Maverick (named after Tom Cruise’s character in her favorite movie Top Gun). She enjoys reading and spending time with her twin sister.

Grayson Warren

Texas born and Tacoma raised, Grayson earned an AA degree at Tacoma Community College while still in high school. He then went on to study at Western Washington University, and Pacific Lutheran University.

He’s worked in the legal field for three years, enthusiastically enmeshing himself in all aspects of the practice. Prior to joining the team, he got hooked on the law as a criminal law intern working on public defense cases.

Grayson is an avid photographer, shooting the local music and art scenes in Tacoma as well as working on my personal portfolio. He is proud to tell any and everyone he can solve a Rubik’s Cube in fifteen seconds!

Katie Hedger

Katie is a Tacoma native, Stadium High School Graduate, and University of Washington Tacoma alum, where she received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She has been with PCVA for three years, starting at the reception desk and moving up to her role as a legal assistant. She loves working as part of Darrell’s team because of the dedication everyone brings to helping people and getting justice for those who have been harmed. When she’s not at work, she is probably reading, playing fantasy football, or traveling with her husband.