Joseph Cotchett

Joseph Cotchett is one of the most respected lawyers in the modern American legal landscape, but he maintains a humble approach to law that places the issues well above paychecks. Cotchett defends anyone he feels needs defense, regardless of their background. From towering corporate behemoths to small organizational outcasts, Cotchett has represented them all, and his dedication and unbiased approach to big-time trial work is an inspiration to the law community. For his undergraduate studies, Cotchett studied an unlikely major for a future famous trial lawyer: he received a B.S. in Engineering from San Luis Obispo. After graduating from Cal Poly in 1960, with the honor of Outstanding Graduate under his belt, Cotchett changed the course of his career and studied law at the prestigious Hastings College of Law at the University of California, earning his J.D. in 1964. Cotchett joined the army before furthering his law career, serving in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps. Cotchett also became a Special Forces Paratrooper and JAG Corps Officer and retired from the active reserves in 1991; nevertheless, he still participates and supports the army. From 2001 to 2005, Cotchett served on the Army War College Foundation’s board of directors, which directly supports collegiate army education and graduate studies. Cotchett is considered one of the 100 most influential lawyers in America—undoubtedly one of the most prominent trial lawyers in California’s history. Cotchett shares his knowledge with the national law community by lecturing at some of the country’s top law programs. Cotchett has lectured at Harvard Law School, University of Southern California, Georgetown Law Center, Stanford, Boalt, and his alma mater, U.C. Hastings. Cotchett’s favorite lecture topics focus on evidence, trial practice, and professional ethics; his lectures have helped countless young lawyers on the path to fulfilling law careers.