Congratulations to John Hartwell Cocke on His 2026 Best Lawyers in America® Recognition!
We’re proud to share that John Hartwell Cocke, managing partner at Merkel & Cocke, P.A., has once again been named to The Best Lawyers in America®, earning recognition in the areas of Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs for the 2026 edition.
This marks another milestone in a legal career defined by excellence, integrity, and relentless advocacy for injured clients. John has been recognized by Best Lawyers® every year since 2007, and in 2024 was named “Lawyer of the Year” in Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs for the Memphis region—a title he’s held multiple times over the past decade.
About Best Lawyers in America®
Best Lawyers® is one of the most respected peer-reviewed legal honors in the profession. First published in 1983, the guide relies solely on confidential evaluations by fellow attorneys and cannot be bought or self-nominated into. For the 2026 (32nd) edition, millions of votes were analyzed. Each listing a real vote of confidence—one earned through decades of hard work and trust built with clients, colleagues, and courts alike.
About John Hartwell Cocke
John is a founding member of Merkel & Cocke and has dedicated his entire practice to representing plaintiffs in complex medical negligence and catastrophic injury cases. He is widely respected for his experience handling high-stakes claims, especially those involving birth trauma, brain injury, wrongful death, and emergency room negligence.
John is AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, a Mid-South Super Lawyer (2006–present), and has been named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® five times. He’s also a pilot, blues tourism advocate, and proud Clarksdale business owner—bringing the same attention to detail and passion to the courtroom that he brings to all areas of his life.
At Merkel & Cocke, we’ve built our reputation on hard work, team collaboration, and a deep commitment to our clients—and John embodies all of that and more.
Please join us in congratulating John on this well-deserved honor!
Need help after a serious injury or medical malpractice incident?
Call Merkel & Cocke, P.A. today or reach out online to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve clients across Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.