Stephen G. Cochran

After over 50 years and over 300 trials, Steven G. Cochran has gained experience that few civil trial attorneys can match. That experience has given Steve the ability to manage even the most complicated case in a goal-focused and cost-effective manner.

The breadth of Steve’s litigation befits Steve’s years of experience. He has handled disputes involving business torts, trade secrets, real estate, partnerships and estates. Steve is equally comfortable in federal and state courts and presenting cases to judges and juries, having handled numerous hearings before each type of tribunal. Steve also has substantial experience with arbitration including matters before the American Arbitration Association and the securities regulator, FINRA. He serves as a Neutral Case Evaluator and Mediator in Fairfax County Circuit Court.

Steve also serves as a Conciliator for the Fairfax County Circuit Court on discovery matter. Steve was recently appointed by the chief judge as the discovery conciliator on the Johnny Depp, Amber Heard case.

Over the years, Steve has frequently shared his knowledge with other members of the Virginia Bar. He has spoken frequently on litigation management and trial strategy on behalf of both the Fairfax Bar and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. He has lectured on trial tactics, discovery in the computer age, and conversion of corporate opportunities, among other topics. He has been a member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy at Georgetown Law School for many years and taught the NITA course in-house while with Womble, Carlyle. Steve has served as the chairperson of the Fairfax Bar Association Civil Litigation Section as well as the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association’s Business Litigation Section. He serves as a Neutral Case Evaluator and Mediator in Fairfax County Circuit Court.

Steve received his J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law and his B.A. from the college of William and Mary. Steve and his wife, Ruth, live in McLean, Virginia where they have been active in the local community.

Areas of Practice

• 65% Business Litigation
• 20% Estate Litigation
• 10% Personal Injury
• 5% Securities

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• Virginia, 1972
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Tax Court

Education

• American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, District of Columbia
  • J.D. – 1972
• College of William and Mary
  • B.A. – 1969

Published Works

• “Documentation and Collection of Counsel Fees”, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Journal, April, 1997
• “Trial Tactics Use of Trial Notebook; The Law of Evidence; Documentation and Collection of Counsel Fees”, Virginia Trial Lawyers and Fairfax Bar Associations

Representative Clients

• Raymond James Financial Services
• Sandy Spring Bank
• Securityhunter

Classes/Seminars

• Faculty Member, National Institute of Trial Advocacy
• “Discovery in the Computer Age”, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Convention, 1999 – Present
• Conversion of Corporate Opportunities, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 1999 – Present

Honors and Awards

• James Keith Public Service Award, Fairfax Bar Association
• Virginia SuperLawyers 
• AV Rated with Peer Review

Professional Associations and Memberships

• VA State Bar
• FX Bar
• Federal Bar

Past Employment Positions

• The Jefferson Law Firm, PLC, McLean, VA, Partner, 1996 – 2001
• Cochran & Rathburn, Partner, 1990 – 1996
• Cochran & Pijor, Partner, 1983 – 1990
• Clary & Pijor, Partner, 1978 – 1983
• Bennett, Dorman & Cochran, Partner, 1973 – 1978

Pro Bono Activities

• Director: Womble and Carlyle, 2004 – 2008

Languages

• English (Primary)

Fraternities/Sororities

• Kappa Alpha