Cochran was the first person to serve as Chief White House Counsel under President Josiah Bartlet in 1999, but was soon replaced by Gates. In the first two weeks of President Bartlet's first term, Donna Moss played a joke on Josh Lyman which made it appear she was being investigated by the NSA. Out of worry, Josh said that he was contacting "Cochran's office." ("Debate Camp") When President Bartlet pondered why White House Counsels did not last very long under him, Chief of Staff Leo McGarry said that Counsels agree to advise the President and then he "didn't let them in." ("Bad Moon Rising")