On the Passing of Noted Trial Attorney Jock M. Smith

The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) is deeply mournful at the passing of proud NBLSA supporter, Jock M. Smith, who died of an apparent heart attack last Sunday in his Montgomery, Alabama home. Mr. Smith was a partner to the late Johnnie Cochran, Jr. and eventually served as president of The Cochran Firm-which was co-founded by the two men in 1996 under the original name of Cochran, Cherry, Givens and Smith.

Mr. Smith graduated with high honors from Tuskegee University in 1970 and went on to receive his Juris Doctorate in 1973 from the University of Notre Dame School of Law. During his time at Notre Dame, Smith became the founder and president of the school's Black American Law Students' Association (BALSA) chapter. The organization's name was later revised to its existing form: the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA), to represent African Americans born in the United States and abroad.

Mr. Smith built his career as a successful trial attorney-most notably as a plaintiff's lawyer-representing and earning multi-million dollar verdicts for poor and underprivileged members of society. He also took up teaching posts at SUNY Binghamton and Tuskegee University and served for fifteen years Macon County's County Attorney.

During his career he has been the recipient of numerous distinctions and honors, including his selection as a lifetime member of Superior Lawyers of America, his induction into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, being named one of Lawdragon 500's Leading Plaintiffs' Lawyers in America, serving as the first African American on the President's Advisory Council of the National Wildlife Federation, and earning the record of obtaining the largest civil verdict by an African American attorney.

"Jock was nationally known as an advocate for others and a well respected member of the legal profession. His absence will be felt for years," said a national partner with The Cochran Firm.

Mr. Smith's funeral service will be held at the Alabama State University Dunn-Oliver Acadome today on Sunday, January 15 at 1:30 p.m. The funeral will be open to members of the public. His wife, Yvette Smiley-Smith, and daughter, Janay Smith, survive him. Mr. Smith was 63 years old at the time of his passing.

May Mr. Smith's legacy as a zealous advocate committed to advancing our community be forever remembered by the members of our organization.

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