Sterling Robertson Cockrill (September 26, 1847 – January 12, 1901)[1][2][3] was chief justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court from 1884 to 1893.

[1] In 1884, on the death of Chief Justice Elbert H. English, Cockrill was nominated for the position by the state Democratic convention, and was elected later that year, at the age of 37.

[1][2] As chief justice, Cockrill supported codification of procedures and upheld legislative enactments from the Reconstruction era, aligning Arkansas with national standards.

284 (1884), he upheld a law penalizing the sale of mortgaged crop parts, emphasizing the importance of legislative authority.

121 (1885), he supported opening a school for Black children in Crawford County, reflecting a commitment to equal educational access despite financial constraints.