Gill Cochran

Distinguished Attorney, Bronze Star Recipient, Annapolis Ward 1 Alderman, Community Leader, and Devoted Husband Gill Cochran, a revered trial attorney, decorated U.S. Army veteran, former Annapolis Ward 1 Alderman, foundational figure in Maryland's legal community, and leader in local Alcoholics Anonymous chapters, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, at the age of 83. Born on April 4, 1942, into the prominent Cochran family of Baltimore, Gill was raised with a deep sense of civic duty and intellectual rigor. He attended the Calvert School in Baltimore and the Groton School in Massachusetts before graduating from Yale University. Following college, he served with distinction in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic and meritorious service. After returning from Vietnam, Gill earned his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. In 1970, he founded the Law Office of Gill Cochran in downtown Annapolis. Over the following decades, he established himself as one of Maryland's most formidable criminal defense and personal injury attorneys. In 2016, the firm became known as Cochran & Chhabra, LLC, reflecting Gill's dedication to mentoring and uplifting the next generation of attorneys. Gill's legal career was defined by fearless advocacy, unwavering integrity, and a commitment to justice that inspired colleagues and clients alike. He was equally devoted to public service, having served as the Alderman for Ward 1 in the City of Annapolis, where he brought the same passion and fairness to local government as he did to the courtroom. Gill found great joy in sailing and racing on the Chesapeake Bay-the water was his place of peace. He also found deep fulfillment in helping his clients and others become sober and maintain their sobriety. Gill personally maintained over 40 years of sobriety and was a respected figure in the recovery community. His other passions included amateur magic and daily running. He often used his magic tricks to connect with legal clients, lightening the gravity of their situations. Regardless of the weather, Gill ran every day. In 1977, he founded the 6:06 a.m.running group, which would cover six miles through Historic Annapolis and the United States Naval Academy. The club remains active today, with over 35 members who fondly remember Gill for the clever nicknames he gave each of them. Fittingly, his own nickname in the group was "Leader, Sir"-a title that captured both his role and the deep respect he inspired. In keeping with his lifelong values, Gill donated his remains to science-a final gesture of service and contribution. He will later be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in recognition of his honorable service to both his country and community. Gill is survived by his devoted wife, Eileen Cochran, with whom he shared a life of profound love, purpose, and partnership. He is also survived by his daughter Jean Batty, her husband Scott Batty, and their children, Nathan, Eliza, and Theodore; his daughter Nina Davis; and his son G. Andrew Cochran and his wife Nicole, along with their children, Olivia and Cole. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Gill's memory to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and/or Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), two causes that reflect his enduring commitment to service, recovery, and the water he loved. Gill Cochran's legacy will endure-in the courtroom, in the City of Annapolis, on the waters of the Chesapeake, and in the countless lives he touched. He will be remembered with deep respect, admiration, and gratitude.