Richards, Layton & Finger Director Wins DVFA President’s Award
September 23, 2014
Firm News
WILMINGTON, Delaware (September 23, 2014) – Richards, Layton & Finger director C. Malcolm (Mike) Cochran was presented with the 2014 President’s Award by the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association (DVFA). Mr. Cochran received the award on September 12 during the DVFA’s annual conference in Dover, in recognition of his extensive pro bono work on behalf of Delaware’s volunteer fire and ambulance service.
Delaware’s ambulance companies, operated primarily by the state’s volunteer fire service, have faced funding shortages that have threatened service reductions in recent years. Mr. Cochran agreed to co-chair a legislative task force in 2013 that was charged with recommending solutions to the problem. After more than six months of hearings, the task force produced a substantial report of its findings. Mr. Cochran then worked with task force co-chairs Senator Bruce C. Ennis and Representative William J. Carson to draft legislation implementing several of the recommendations. He testified extensively before committees of the Delaware General Assembly and in the Delaware State Senate in support of the legislative package, which secured millions of dollars in funding for Delaware’s ambulance and EMS services.
Mr. Cochran, who has practiced law with Richards, Layton & Finger for more than 25 years, specializes in complex civil litigation and has substantial trial experience in Delaware’s courts. He has represented large international companies and their officers and directors, a variety of national and local businesses, state and local governments, public officials, estates and individuals. Mr. Cochran currently chairs Richards, Layton & Finger’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee and also serves as chair of Delaware’s Child Protection Accountability Commission. He was recently appointed by the chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court to the board of the Delaware Bar Foundation, whose mission is to improve the state’s administration of justice.