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Kristie Cohen
About Kristie
Biography
Kristie Cohen graduated from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI in 2006 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Legal Studies. While attending Eastern Michigan, Ms. Cohen was engaged in a double bachelor’s program for Legal Studies and Psychology, with minors in chemistry and biology. Also, while attending Eastern Michigan, Ms. Cohen worked for the school’s legal clinic and also participated in an internship at the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office.
While attending law school she clerked for the Honorable Dennis Powers in the 52nd District Court in Michigan, where she coordinated the Judge’s docket, wrote judicial opinions and helped the Judge write a Michigan Bar Review Article.
After graduating from law school, Ms. Cohen pursued her chosen path as a criminal defense attorney working for the Public Defender of the 19th Circuit in Indian River County. Her time at the Public Defender’s Office started by defending juvenile and misdemeanor cases. After a few months, Ms. Cohen was promoted and took over the defense of all County Court cases for the office and both Divisions for Indian River County. In just under a year Ms. Cohen was again promoted to a felony division, handling all felony cases and clients with all criminal designations. Ms. Cohen also began working on and learning major crimes cases such as murder and capital sexual battery. Ms. Cohen sat as 2nd chair on her first murder trial in 2010 and was in charge of the medical testimony and the bulk of the defense. Also, since she had a background and education in psychology, she was given a majority of the cases that had mental heath issues, NGI (not guilty by insanity) defenses or competency issues. Ms. Cohen became very well versed with how criminal law and mental health intersect and the ways to protect clients who have mental health issues. Ms. Cohen worked for the Public Defender of the 19th Circuit until 2011 and tried over 60 jury trials in her time there.
After leaving the 19th Circuit she accepted a position with the Broward County Public Defender’s Office and worked there until July 2017, when she went into private practice. During her time at the Broward County Public Defender’s Office she worked in several felony divisions and on several major crimes cases.
She was the lead Public Defender in several different divisions over her years at the office and focused mainly on first degree and life felony cases. Ms. Cohen mainly handled major crimes cases such as First-Degree Murder, Arson, Trafficking, Robbery Firearm, Carjacking and Sexual Battery. Her clients ranged from first time offenders to multi-convicted offenders, and she has extensive knowledge of every enhancement and designation, such as PRR (Prison Release Reoffender), HO (Habitual Offender), and HVO (Habitual Violent Offender). Ms. Cohen is also 2nd-chair-qualified to work on death penalty cases.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
40%
17 years
Violent Crime
35%
17 years
Sex Crime
20%
17 years
White Collar Crime
5%
17 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 17 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2008
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 14 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Location
The Law Office of Kristie Cohen, P.A.
100 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301
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Kristie Cohen's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
24 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Leandre | May 28, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Best lawyer you could ask for!
Kristie helped me out a lot because she is also experienced with mental health and she is a good lawyer overall that could most likely get you out of somewhat serious trouble that wasn’t necessarily meant to happen.
Posted by anonymous | December 14, 2018
Highly recommend
I've known Ms. Cohen for several years. She is a powerful advocate and an accomplished practitioner with a wealth of experience in handling simple and complex cases from beginning to end. Ms. Cohen is dedicated, hard-working and genuinely cares for her clients.
Posted by anonymous | October 05, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Worth It
You get what you pay for and in this case- dismissed charges. Her legal work relationships and prior experience as a prosecutor has proved to be extremely valuable.
Kristie Cohen
Replied last October 05, 2018Thank you for your review. I am glad you were pleased with the results of your case. But just to clarify I have never been a prosecutor. My entire legal career has been as a criminal defense attorney.
Kristie Cohen's Lawyer Endorsements
"Kristie is a great advocate who is extremely knowledgeable about the law. She represents her clients with determination and is results oriented. I endorse Kristie."
"Kristie Cohen is one of the most hardworking and dedicated criminal defense lawyers in the community. With a decade of criminal defense experience, she can handle any and all criminal matters with confidence. I have never met another defense lawyer so passionate about her cases and so dedicated to their clients. I highly recommend Kristie Cohen."
"Kristie is a great lawyer. She is very aggressive and gets amazing results. I endorse this laweyer."
"Kristie is an fantastic attorney. She is bright, talented and will do what it takes to defend you on any case. If I ever saw Kristie in fight with a grizzly bear, I would help the bear... Cause I know Kristie will not lose."
"Kristie is a tenacious attorney who will work vigorously for her clients regardless of the charge. She is well-versed in many areas of the law and her knowledge of the system is unparalleled as she is able to zealously advocate for her clients in multiple forums. She has a deep understanding of the system, but also exceeding compassion for her clients and their situation. I fully endorse her and would highly recommend her for any criminal matter."
Manuel "Manny" Serra-Jovenich
Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 04
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I worked with Kristie at the Broward PD and we were in the same courtroom for almost 2 years. She is the definition of aggressive and has experience beyond her years. We worked together on some serious matters and she was able to easily navigate through testing tides."
"I have known Kristie for more than a decade and her dedication to the legal profession, criminal defense, and her clients never fails to amaze me. As a former prosecutor and former Assistant Attorney General, I have seen first hand how Kristie goes the extra mile for her clients. She is well versed and keeps up with changes in areas of the law that may potentially affect her clients. I would highly recommend her as counsel in any legal matter, especially criminal defense cases."
"Kristie is widely regarded as a very knowledgeable and hard working attorney who is dedicated to her clients' rights. I interact with her frequently in Court and I consider her to be a stellar advocate. I fully endorse Kristie."
"Kristie is a bulldog. Her ferocity in court and zealous advocacy for her client makes her one of the best in the field. She has the knowledge and experience of an elite attorney. I endorse her without reservation."
"I frequently work with Kristie on criminal defense matters. She is an excellent attorney who represents her clients well. Kristie also has a great deal of institutional knowledge that gives her an edge over other lawyers. I highly recommend her and her firm!"
"Kristie is a fighter for her clients in and out of the courtroom who stands up to anything that is thrown her way. She exemplifies a zealous advocate. I endorse this lawyer."
"If I need a criminal defense attorney, one name comes to mind, Kristie Cohen. I met Kristie during her substantial career as a court appointed attorney. I began as her intern, watched her work ethic, watched how her clients respected and appreciated her no-nonsense attitude and aggressive style. When the opportunity arose, I became her colleague to keep learning from Kristie. I took the opportunity to work with Kristie on a number of serious felony cases that resolved in trial. Kristie is a consummate trial attorney. From pretrial litigation and voir dire to closing argument, she is dedicated, prepared and realistic. Kristie is a straight-shooting, down to earth attorney with years of trial experience. I have worked with Kristie on cases during all stages of pretrial and trial posture and have seen Kristie be successful on behalf of grateful clients. Simply put, I'm a criminal defense attorney, but Kristie Cohen is who I'm calling if I'm ever arrested."
"Kristie is a tenacious, well-prepared, and thoughtful advocate for her clients. Her legal skills are top notch."
Jack Palmeri
Criminal defense lawyer
Nicole Hamil-Scott
Criminal defense lawyer
Felipe Jaramillo
Criminal defense lawyer
Manuel "Manny" Serra-Jovenich
Criminal defense lawyer
Joseph Dewey
Criminal defense lawyer
Matthew Glassman
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2014
Hat Trick Award, Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Managing Partner, The Law Office of Kristie Cohen, P.A.
2017 - 2018
Associate, Meltzer & Bell
2012 - 2017
Assistant Public Defender, Broward County Public Defender's Office
2009 - 2011
Assistant Public Defender, 19th Circuit Public Defender's Office
Associations
2015 - Present
Broward Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2012 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Oneil ron Morris v. State "fix-a-flat case"
Negotiated resolution below guidelines
Brittany Sierra v. State "baby buried in backyard"
All charges dropped
Stinson v. State
Reversed on appeal
Education
2008
Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School Of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2005
Eastern Michigan University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2016
Citizen's Legal Rights & Search and Seizure
Know Your Rights
2015
Search and Seizure (Citizen's Rights)
Search and Seizure
Languages
English