Tracey L. Brown ’92, “Whatever You Achieve, You Have More Responsibility to Give Back"

Tracey L. Brown ’92
Partner, The Cochran Firm
Honorary Chair, The Ronald H. Brown Steering Committee
The Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights & Economic
Development at St. John’s Law School
Author of the best selling book, “The Life and
Times of Ron Brown”

“Whatever You Achieve, You Have More
Responsibility to Give Back”

Tracey L. Brown ’92 an accomplished litigator and author credits the legal expertise exemplified by her father, the late Ronald H. Brown ’70, who was one of President Bill Clinton’s most trusted advisors while serving as the United States Secretary of Commerce. 

Ms. Brown jokingly notes, “When I was an infant, my dad was attending St. John’s Law at night. While studying, her father handled the night feedings and rocked me to sleep. I believe I was put to sleep through the use of legal principles as lullabies.” When it came time to select a law school, Ms. Brown cites, “that I couldn’t go wrong following the footsteps of distinguished alumni former New York State Governors Hugh L. Carey ’51, ’67HON, Mario M. Cuomo ’56, ’75HON, California Governor George Deukmejian ’52, Member of the House of Representatives Charles B. Rangel ’60 and of course my father.” Ronald H. Brown’s brilliant career ended prematurely when the aircraft he was traveling in crashed while on an economic development mission to Croatia.

Upon graduation from St. John’s Law, Ms. Brown traveled to California to work for the District Attorney’s Office where she attained the role as a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles. While with the County of Los Angeles, Ms. Brown tried more than fifty cases before juries and judges.

Looking to return to the East Coast, Ms. Brown served as senior counsel at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. Specializing in consumer fraud cases, Ms. Brown received national recognition when she was victorious in a $70 million dollar judgment on behalf of consumers who were victimized during an internet credit card fraud.

Today, with expertise in both civil and criminal litigation, Ms. Brown heads up the Labor and Employment Practice at The Cochran Firm. She specializes in cases involving employment discrimination, municipal liability - including police brutality and workplace injury. Ms. Brown notes that her Dad’s efforts led to a, “legacy of thousands of little Ron Browns making the world a better place and I aspire to do the same through mentoring of young legal counsel, representation of the underserved and inspiring my children to make a positive impact on society.”

Ms. Brown maintains close ties to alma mater. She is actively involved with the Ron Brown Scholars program at St. John’s Law which facilitates academic scholarships, mentoring, service and leadership opportunities to students of color interested in a career in the legal profession. Recently Ms. Brown addressed the Black Law Students Association at St. John’s Law for a book discussion of her best-selling work, “The Life and Times of Ron Brown.” Afterwards Ms. Brown met with students individually to mentor them on their legal careers. Ms. Brown attests, “Be diligent, work hard, look for opportunities in disciplines in those areas that you are passionate, consider opportunities in public service and public interest law and don’t forget to help those that follow you.”