New York (March 29, 2005)- Marc H. Morial, President of the National Urban League and the Urban League family mourns the sudden passing of Johnnie Cochran, one of the greatest courtroom attorneys of our era. Johnnie Cochran epitomized excellence in his profession, and he continually showed great passion for the pursuit of justice on behalf of ordinary people. A brilliant legal strategist, Johnnie Cochran elevated legal analysis and he broadened access to justice for many people. His success, particularly in leading the successful defense team for O.J. Simpson, made him a target for invective no other attorney in memory has had to face. But it only served to underscore the effectiveness of his advocacy, as the list of those who sought the legal assistance of his firm attests. Johnnie Cochran also had a profound commitment to enhancing the viability of African Americans and their communities and he devoted countless hours to aiding individuals and organizations across the country. While Johnnie Cochran's success in the legal sphere can be measured in ways that allow his brilliance to speak for itself, his contribution to Black America has been incalculable. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Dale Mason Cochran as well as his family and colleagues.

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