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Steven Michael Cohen

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About Steven

From New York City originally and now residing and practicing law in Buffalo, New York, Mr. Cohen has been successfully trying civil and criminal cases, including numerous civil rights and constitutional law cases, for the past 20 years. In addition to corporate clients and individuals, he regularly represents local, state and federal law enforcement officers from numerous agencies, defending them in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings.

 

Admitted to practice in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, he has been admitted pro hac vice to conduct trials in six other states. Mr. Cohen is frequently brought in as special trial counsel by other law firms in civil rights and complex litigation cases. Steven M. Cohen has appeared on local and national media, including Good Morning America, Dateline NBC, CNN and Geraldo Rivera to discuss cases he has been involved with.  Mr. Cohen is a co-founder of the Law Enforcement Officers Advocate's Council (LEOAC) and lives in Williamsville, New York with his wife Pamela and sons Scott and Marc.

 

In addition to his admission to practice in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, he is admitted in the following federal courts: Western District of New York, Northern District of New York, United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, DC, the United States Tax Court, The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York.

Practice areas

Criminal defenseCivil rightsLitigation
  1. Litigation: 40%

    31 years, 1,000 cases

  2. Civil rights: 30%

    31 years, 200 cases

  3. Criminal defense: 30%

    31 years, 500 cases

Photos and videos

891473 1339688835

891473 1339694043

891473 1339694057

Contact

2410 North Forest Rd.
address map

HoganWillig - Main Office

2410 North Forest Rd.
Amherst, NY, 14068

HoganWillig

HoganWillig - Buffalo Office

155 Summer Street
Buffalo, NY, 14222

HoganWillig - Lancaster Office

43 Central Avenue
Lancaster, NY, 14086

HoganWillig - Lockport Office

770 Davison Road
Lockport, NY, 14094

See all office locations

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
PAActive201111/17/2019
NYCurrently registered 198907/11/2019
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers5
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Upstate New York Super Lawyer- Civil Rights LawSuper Lawyers2018
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer ReviewMartindale-Hubbell2017
AV Preeminent Rated - Judicial ReviewMartindale-Hubbell2017
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2017
Best LawyerBest Lawyers in New York State2017
Legal Elite of Western New YorkBusiness First2016
Top Lawyers in New YorkNew York Times2016
AV Preeminent Judicially RatedMartindale-Hubbell2016
AV Peer Review RatingMartindale-Hubbell2016
Super LawyerSuper Lawers2016
Best Lawyers in New York StateBest Lawyers2016
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2015
Top Attorneys in New YorkNew York Times2015
Best LawyersBest Lawyers in New York State2015
AV Preeminent RatedMartindale-Hubbell2015
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2014
Top Attorneys in New YorkNew York Times2014
Best Lawyers in New York StateBest Lawers2013
Top Attorneys in New YorkNew York Times2013
Top Attorneys in New YorkNew York Times2012
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2012
Super Lawyer 2008 - 2011Super Lawyers2011
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2010
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2009
Who's WhoStrathmore's Who's Who in Law1998
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Litigation ChairHoganWillig2009 - Present
Managing PartnerLorenzo & Cohen1989 - 2009
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember2010 - Present
United States Court of Federal Claims Bar AssociationMember2010 - Present
Western New York Trial Lawyers AssociationMember1995 - Present
American Association for JusticeSustaining Member1992 - Present
American Trial Lawyers AssociationSustaining Member1991 - Present
NYS Trial Lawyers AssociationMember1989 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember1989 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Elder LawWinning the Will Contest Before Probate2004
Erie County Bar JournalIRC Section 1244: An Entrepeneur's Hedge Against Losses1993
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
State University of New York at Buffalo School of LawJuris Doctorate1987
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
New York State Bar AssociationExpert Witnesses: Frye, Daubert and Emerging Standards, 20102010
Civil Rights SymposiumUnjust Conviction and Wrongful Incarceration: When the System Fails, 20092009
STEP Conference, Rochester, NYLegal Issues in EMS, 1992-20082008
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
USA v. HolleyNot guilty of any felonies.
USA v. RhodesNot guilty verdict

Reviews

(18)
5 Star
94%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
6%
Review Steven Cohen

He was there for my legal issue's.

Posted by

Due to the nature of my legal issue's, I consulted Mr. Cohen for his professional opinions on my civil right's suits. He was honest, albeit, an hour truly isn't enough time for any attorney to be able to get the jist of any suit. One quick glance or reading isn't enough time...HOWEVER, since Mr. Cohen's area of expertise is civil rights litigation. His advice was worth the money spent. It's too bad that he's a firm lawyer. I'm sure if he had a private practice, he would have taken the cases on a contingency basis. I would DEFINTELY hire or consult with him. Well worth the money spent!
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Something in the Water

Posted by

My experience with Mr. Cohen was less than stellar. Bottom line was money, and lots of it. As I struggled to get together the amount, he did not answer communications repeatedly. My case is one in a million, and would be a nationally recognized win. Damages are recoverable including attorneys fees. However, you actually have to believe in the case to win. I believe he has the intellect, but he doesn't have the heart. If I had his skill, I would feel a sense of obligation to use it to help those who are disadvantaged, as this is what civil rights law is about. Those who have millions don't need protection.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney
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Attorney endorsements

(26)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Paul Pochepan, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Apr 27, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Robert Michalak, Construction and development Attorney on Apr 27, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

J Kelleher, Commercial real estate Attorney on Apr 27, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Leonard London, Corporate and incorporation Attorney on Apr 26, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Jeffrey Tyrpak, Real estate Attorney on Apr 26, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Catherine Aughey, Medical malpractice Attorney on Apr 25, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Ryan Johnsen, Personal injury Attorney on Jul 28, 2017
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Glenn Pincus, Litigation Attorney on Jan 25, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Michael Kuzma, Speeding and traffic ticket Attorney on Jun 8, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I strongly endorse this lawyer. Mr. Cohen is the kind of attorney I want in my corner. He is a fighter for social justice and does not shy away from the tough cases. If you want an attorney who will zealously represent you, Steve is the one for you!

Michael Waddington, Military law Attorney on Jun 2, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Steven. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

Jason Urbaniak, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Cohen on a discrimination matter and his expertise and experience helped me reach an informed decision. I endorse him.

Matthew Kolken, Immigration Attorney on Jan 18, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Steve is one of the good guys. He works exceptionally hard for his clients, and always puts their interests above his own.

Doreen Letty, Real estate Attorney on Sep 26, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Cheryl-Lane Bechakas, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Sep 26, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Carol Farrar, Business Attorney on Sep 26, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Carly Speyer, Corporate and incorporation Attorney on Sep 26, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Bruce Ikefugi, Real estate Attorney on Sep 26, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Ashlea Palladino, Family Attorney on Sep 26, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Amanda Kelly, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 26, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Nelson Zakia, Family Attorney on Sep 26, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

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