We are one of the largest plaintiff law firms in Northern Mississippi as well as one of the largest in "The Mississippi Delta." For over 20 years, we have handled cases throughout Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas, and have handled cases from California to New York. To read about our attorneys, click here.

We utilize state-of-the-art technology and extensive research in our trials and trial preparations. We invite you to browse our website and discover the experience and legal services that Merkel & Cocke has to offer. » Read More

Since being formed in 1983, Merkel & Cocke has never had an attorney leave its practice other than through retirement. This allows us to provide greater continuity of representation to our clients and their cases, as well as demonstrating the excellent working environment at Merkel & Cocke.

John Cocke Receives The 'Beyond The Call Of Duty' Award From The Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project

John Cocke, a founding partner of Merkel & Cocke, received the 'Beyond The Call Of Duty' award from the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (MVLP). The MVLP is a joint venture of The Mississippi Bar Association and Mississippi Legal Services Programs. More than 1,600 Mississippi attorneys volunteer their time and expertise to participate in the Project, and as a result, more than 5,000 low income citizens are assisted by the Project each year. The ‘Beyond The Call Of Duty’ award is presented to a member of the Mississippi Association for Justice who has accumulated the most pro bono hours in the previous calendar year.
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Merkel & Cocke lawyers recognized in Mid-South Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Five partners of Merkel & Cocke were chosen by their peers for inclusion in the 2008 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers & Rising Stars. The selective and prestigious Mid-South Super Lawyers & Rising Stars magazine lists Charles M. Merkel, Jr., John H. Cocke and William B. Raiford, III, as part of this year’s list of “Super Lawyers” in the Mid-South. Charles M. Merkel, Jr. is one of only eight lawyers in the tri-state area listed under the heading: “Personal Injury Plaintiff: Products Liability,” and he is also included in the “Top 50 Mississippi” list, which is comprised of the lawyers receiving the most points in the selection criteria. John H. Cocke and William B. Raiford, III are two of only seventeen lawyers from the tri-state area listed under the heading: “Personal Injury Plaintiff: Medical Malpractice.”
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Jury Returns Verdict in Favor of Merkel & Cocke Clients in Another Katrina Related Lawsuit

In Washington County Circuit Court, a jury recently returned a verdict in the amount of $80,000.00 in favor of a family represented by Merkel & Cocke, who lost their home to Hurricane Katrina. The jury found that an insurance agency breached an oral contract with the family to procure flood insurance and that the agent was negligent in failing to procure flood coverage which was requested more than one year prior to Hurricane Katrina. Charles M. Merkel, Jr. and Charles M. Merkel, III represented the family’s interests at trial.

Two Verdicts in Five Days

Merkel & Cocke recently received two favorable verdicts in five days. The first verdict was in favor of homeowners against USAA Casualty Insurance Co. in a bad faith denial of insurance case. The second verdict was in favor of an Air Force veteran in a medical malpractice lawsuit. » Read More

In a case dealing with a trucking accident, our client was operating a truck in Benton County Mississippi on U.S. Highway 78.  Our client was struck from the rear by an 18 wheel truck, causing his vehicle to crash.  Our client received substantial injuries and died approximately 3 weeks later. The case settled for well over a million dollars. » Read More