Atty. Duane Cochenour
Duane Cochenour is a litigator specializing in medical malpractice claims, negligent security cases, and insurance coverage. He has a unique perspective, with 20 years of experience as an insurance claim professional prior to becoming a lawyer.
Insurance Law & More Attorney · Serving Atlanta, GA
Profile Summary
About Duane Cochenour at a Glance
Duane Cochenour is a medical malpractice and insurance attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, practicing at Hall Booth Smith PC. Educated at Georgia State University (J.D., 2009). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serves clients in Atlanta, GA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Duane Cochenour
- Duane Cochenour is a litigator specializing in medical malpractice claims, negligent security cases, and insurance coverage
- He has a unique perspective, with 20 years of experience as an insurance claim professional prior to becoming a lawyer
- He knows exactly what it is like to be an adjuster, supervisor, regional claim manager, and major case negotiator because he has worked in each of those positions
- He draws on over 30 years of experience in the insurance and legal industry to defend and counsel clients in various types of bodily injury and property damage litigation
- He also specializes in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, regularly providing guidance on complex coverage matters to major insurance carriers
- Duane is also a certified mediator and a member of both the Georgia and Florida bars
- Duane specializes in representing hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers against claims of medical malpractice
- In addition to routinely defending these cases in both Georgia and Florida, he is also part of a team of litigators who defend catastrophic cases across the country as part of the firm’s National Trial Counsel Strategic Team
- Duane also specializes in representing clients against claims of negligent security in cases involving shootings, assaults and other serious crimes
- These claims have exploded in Georgia, but our firm has developed specific strategies that allows us to minimize the exposure of these businesses, property owners, property managers, and their insurers
- In addition to these two areas of specialty, Duane keeps a varied litigation practice and represents clients in motor vehicle accidents, products liability claims, premises liability claims, construction disputes, non-medical professional liability claims, and other types of bodily injury and property damage litigation
- Drawing on three decades of experience interpreting insurance coverage, Duane is one of the leaders of the firm’s Insurance Coverage practice group
- He regularly provides coverage opinions and other guidance to major insurers on complex coverage and bad faith cases
- His vast experience in the insurance industry, coupled with his experience litigating coverage and bad faith actions, enables him to counsel and defend insurers in coverage and bad faith disputes
- He knows exactly what it is like to be an adjuster working a large case load, a front line supervisor managing multiple adjusters, and a regional claim manager overseeing the claim operation in 5 states for a major insurer
- This gives him a unique perspective (and passion for) defending insurance professionals against claims of bad faith
- He also regularly reviews cases involving time-limited and/or policy limit demands, advising carriers on their exposure and providing recommendations on how to respond to these demands
- He is also frequently retained by excess carriers as monitoring counsel on high-exposure claims
- Duane started his insurance career as a claim representative with Liberty Mutual but spent the bulk of it with St. Paul Insurance Company
- He managed territories throughout the Southeast and, as a major case negotiator, handled catastrophic claims throughout the country
- He was also selected to be on a project team that literally drew up a new dedicated medical claim structure nationally for St. Paul in 1995
- He was also designated as an internal resource on coverage matters at St. Paul, teaching liability coverage courses internally to adjusters and supervisors
- He regularly partnered with underwriters and agents on sales calls with prospective insureds
- This experience gives Duane a unique insight into how to meet the needs of his insurance clients
Practice Areas Explained
Duane Cochenour's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Duane Cochenour handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Atlanta.
Medical Malpractice in Atlanta
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Duane Cochenour is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Georgia →
Insurance Law in Atlanta
Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.
Duane Cochenour is one of 120,903 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in Georgia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Atlanta
Practicing law in Georgia. Legal matters in Georgia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Atlanta are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Georgia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Georgia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Georgia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Atlanta Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Atlanta-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Georgia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Atlanta or all attorneys in Georgia.
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Common Questions About Duane Cochenour
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Atlanta Choose Duane Cochenour
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Duane Cochenour's practice in the field of medical malpractice and insurance.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering medical malpractice and insurance, Duane Cochenour can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Atlanta
A Atlanta-based practice means Duane Cochenour attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Duane Cochenour Handles in Atlanta
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Duane Cochenour has experience with under Georgia law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Duane Cochenour directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Duane Cochenour Online
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Duane Cochenour's Practice Areas & Specializations
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