Professor Cochran's career in legal education spans more than 35 years, including service at the law schools of Loyola University in New Orleans, the University of Washington, and the University of Mississippi. He teaches a variety of courses, including torts, gaming and racing law, and many of the intellectual property courses offered at the Texas Tech University School of Law. The University awarded him the 2004 President's Excellence in Teaching Award.

At the School of Law, Professor Cochran advises students enrolled in the Intellectual Property track of the Law and Science Certificate program. He also serves as the faculty advisor to the Intellectual Property Students Association and the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. He served on and chaired the Admissions Committee for several years. Professor Cochran also serves as the President of the Texas Tech University Chapter of the Order of the Coif, the national legal scholastic honor society, and as the School of Law's representative to the Texas Tech University Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's largest multi-disciplinary honor society.

His service to Texas Tech University takes many different forms. Because of his expertise in copyright and technology, Professor Cochran receives invitations often to speak at programs to assist faculty members with issues relating to intellectual property and technology. He also assisted in the drafting of University Board of Regents' policies which define the ownership interests of the university in intellectual property developed by faculty members using university resources and in course materials developed for distance education courses offered by the university.

Professor Cochran's service reaches beyond the university community. He speaks often to professional trade associations and community groups on issues related to intellectual property, technology, and professional development. He also has served on site evaluation teams for the American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools, inspecting law schools as part of the accreditation process.

Professor Cochran holds a B.A. degree from Austin College, a J.D. degree from the University of Houston, and a M.L.L. degree from the University of Washington.