Partner
Fiercely fighting for your rights against the powerful, one client at a time. Clients love him, defense attorneys and the big and powerful fear him.
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.
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
