John Hartwell Cocke

John Hartwell Cocke


Merkel & Cocke, P.A.

Recognized since 2007

Clarksdale, Mississippi

Practice Areas

Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs

Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
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After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 1975, Mr. Cocke moved to Clarksdale, MS to begin practicing in a general litigation firm. In 1982, Mr. Cocke and Mr. Merkel left that firm and established Merkel & Cocke, P.A., and since that time the emphasis of Mr. Cocke's practice has progressed more and more toward medical malpractice. At the present time his practice is exclusively devoted to handling medical negligence cases for the plaintiff, either as a result of direct contact by the client or as, more commonly occurs, on referral from other attorneys who are not familiar with the handling of medical negligence cases. Mr. Cocke handles all types of medical negligence cases, but a uniform requirement is that serious injury or death have occurred as a result of the medical mistake. Mr. Cocke has handled many "brain damaged baby cases," as well as deaths as a result of the failure to treat in the emergency room setting and the premature discharge of patients after surgery, as well as failure to promptly diagnose cancer. Mr. Cocke has developed a particular interest in the use of modern technology in medical negligence cases and has spoken at seminars on this subject. The Internet has developed into a very useful tool in conducting medical research and communicating with other attorneys handling similar cases via the Internet is also a major help in the handling of medical cases. Mr. Cocke has been selected Best Lawyer of the year in 2012 and 2016 in The Memphis area in the field of Medical Malpractice and has been selected a Best Lawyer and Super Lawyer every year since 2006.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 30 Delta Avenue
    P.O. Box 1388
    Clarksdale, MS 38614-1388
Education
  • University of Virginia, J.D., graduated 1975
Bar Admissions
  • Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Memphis (2024)
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Memphis (2021)
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Memphis (2019)
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, Memphis (2016)
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Memphis (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Special Focus:
  • Birth Trauma
  • Catastrophic Injury
  • Mediation
  • Medical Devices
  • Medical Negligence
  • Personal Injury
  • Wrongful Death
Awards:
  • Super Lawyer - Medical Malpractice Mid-South
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Medical Malpractice Law

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Publications

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