Introduction Kevin began his practice of law in 1997 when he gained admission to the State Bar of Ohio while working full-time with the computerized legal research company, LEXIS-NEXIS. As an employee of LEXIS, Kevin acquired superb legal research and writing skills using LEXIS and the internet. Kevin was promoted to legal research consultant within two years of employment and was responsible for training, coaching, and developing reference materials for the LEXIS legal research team.

Kevin achieved the highest score ever on the consultant exam prior to being promoted. All subsequent tests were provided to Kevin in his consultant capacity to gauge the difficulty of the exam materials. He was a member of the Environmental Center of Expertise in which he wrote HotLaw Topics for LEXIS online publication. Kevin also resolved research issues for national law firm accounts. While employed at LEXIS, Kevin maintained an active practice which included pro bono trial work and drafting and administering contracts for a corporate client.

Kevin moved to Texas in 1999 to be closer to his wife’s family. He came to work for Watt & Associates, P.C. shortly after being admitted to the State Bar of Texas in May of 2000. Kevin’s prior legal research and writing experience combined with his trial experience gained working alongside Ed Watt has proven to be quite a boon to his clients.

Kevin practices law instinctively and with compassion for his clients. In the courtroom, Kevin’s instincts for law, and his ability to assess the judge, the jury and opposing counsel’s attitudes and impressions have served him well. A day in his life includes communication with clients, negotiation with opposing counsel, pre-litigation preparation, depositions, and all forms of written discovery. Kevin also has written and currently writes trial and appellate briefs, pretrial motions, and other litigation documents. Kevin has represented numerous clients in contested hearings, mediation negotiation, and has served as second chair in arbitration hearings before the American Arbitration Association and National Association of Securities Dealers. Kevin is or has handled cases filed in federal and state courts in Texas, as well as cases in the state courts of Ohio.

Areas of Practice

General civil, consumer and commercial litigation, including real estate litigation, securities disputes, probate litigation, lender liability, deceptive trade practices act claims, partnership agreements/contract disputes, and legal malpractice. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants, with experience ranging from individuals to multi-national corporations.

Admissions to Bar

United States District Court, Western District of Texas – November 2003
State Bar of Texas – May 2000
State Bar of Ohio – November 1997

Education

Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon – JD 1996
        -- Certificate of Environmental and Natural Resources Law - 1996
Law School Study Abroad Program, Oxford University, England – Summer 1994
The Ohio State University – BS in Aviation Human Factors – December 1991

Memberships

Texas Young Lawyers’ Association; Austin Young Lawyers’ Association; State Bar of Texas, Consumer Law and Litigation Sections

Personal

Kevin is married and the father of an adorable son born to him and his wife in October of 2002. Kevin was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on February 3, 1969, but his family moved him to Ohio at a young age where his parents still live in his childhood home. Although Kevin works in Austin, he enjoys the peace and solitude provided by the Lost Pines area of Paige, Texas just northeast of Bastrop State Park, where he and his family call home. Kevin is very active in his church, serving in a number of capacities including playing guitar and singing in the praise team, Chairman of the Evangelism Board, and member of the Church Council.

Contact Kevin:  kcochran@wattlaw.com