Selma, AL USA - Attorney Jock M. Smith, President and Co-Founder of the Cochran Law Firm based in Tuskegee, Alabama was honored by Mayor James Perkins, Jr. in a ceremony recognizing landmark accomplishments of the Perkins Administration in historic Selma, Alabama with the Key To The City, on Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Selma’s Carl Morgan Convention Center.
Mayor Perkins who said, "I took our message of hope and progress, the message of 'Come, Let US Build' from South Korea to West Africa and from Montgomery to Washington DC. People across the world are embracing the new direction of Selma.” He praised Attorney Smith for his monumental contributions to the “New South,” on being the first African American inducted into the President’s Advisory Council of the National Wildlife Federation and being recognized in The Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America.
Jock Smith earned his undergraduate degree from illustrious Tuskegee Institute and obtained his Juris Doctor from the University Of Notre Dame Law School. Smith’s accomplishments include a $1.6 billion verdict, for the year 2004 and the top verdict in the history of the nation by an African American lawyer as lead counsel and a $700 million environmental settlement in Anniston, Alabama, the largest settlement of its type in the nation.
Smith is a member of the Alabama, Tennessee, New York, Missouri and Washington, DC Bar Associations and served as the nation’s first African American Trial Trustee for the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association. The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory has given Jock an AV rating, the highest achievable rating given an attorney.
Smith avails himself to numerous philanthropic endeavors on behalf of children in the state of Alabama as well as the nation and often speaks to higher learning institutions. Smith was humbled and appreciative of Mayor Perkins and The City of Selma for recognizing him in such a meaningful way. Smith said, “This honor humbles me, given the importance Selma played in the Civil Rights movement for justice and equality.” Attendees included The Honorable Artur Davis, United States Congressman, 7th District, Selma businessmen Mr.S.G. Lee, Hanil E Hwa Corporation (Hyundai), Corporate Executive, Mr. Charles Davis, CEO Davis Trucking Company and Hotelier, Mr. Vinay Sharma.
Smith recently reaffirmed his commitment to the significance of the Civil Rights Legacy with current representation of Martin Luther King, III and Bernice King, for whom he is lead counsel and official spokesperson.
Jock M. Smith's autobiographical journey is, “Climbing Jacob’s Ladder: A Trial Lawyer’s Journey on Behalf of The Least of These;” he is CEO of The Jock Smith Sports Agency, and an avid collector of sports memorabilia, presidential and other historical documents.
