Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.9 /5.0
63 Client Reviews
$ 425-425 per hour
PRO
Mark Steven Cohen
also known as Mark Cohen
Virtual Consultation Available
About Mark
Biography
Mark Cohen is an AV-rated lawyer in Boulder, Colorado, who serves clients in the Denver/Boulder area and throughout Colorado. Mark was selected as a Super Lawyer in 2021-2025, and was selected as one of the best real estate lawyers in Denver. Mr. Cohen's philosophy is simple - Start Early. Work Hard. Finish.® Mark has 41 years of experience.
Mr. Cohen has a passion for drafting and reviewing documents, and helping clients resolve disputes arising out of all types of legal documents. He believes the distinction between litigation and transactional work is often artificial. Business litigation and real estate litigation are almost always the result of poor drafting, insufficient investigation, or an incomplete negotiation. He prefers Plain English over "Legalese" and believes the use of Plain English in business and law lowers costs, improves productivity, increases credibility, and reduces misunderstandings.
Mr. Cohen is also a proven litigator and trial lawyer. In 2012 he won a 4.2 million dollar verdict in a breach of contract case that included nearly two million dollars in punitive damages. His philosophy and experience enable him to facilitate transactions today that are least likely to become lawsuits tomorrow. He is a highly respected business lawyer.
Mr. Cohen grew up in Denver. He earned his BA in economics at Whitman College 1980, then returned to Colorado and received his law degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1983. He earned his Masters in Law (LL.M.) in agricultural and food law from the University of Arkansas in 2014, where he also taught advanced legal writing. From 1983 to 1987 Mr. Cohen served as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force. He also served two years as a Special Asst. U.S. Attorney in Nebraska. In 1986, he won the American Bar Association's Outstanding Young Military Service Lawyer award.
From 1987-1995 Mr. Cohen practiced law in Nebraska, where he represented an agricultural lender in collection and bankruptcy matters throughout the state. He also successfully represented defendants in several high profile criminal cases. In thirty-seven years as a trial lawyer Mr. Cohen has conducted more than 100 jury trials. He has served as an on-demand military law expert for MSNBC.
Mr. Cohen and his family returned to the Denver area in 1995. He served as a Prosecuting Attorney for the Denver suburb of Westminster for seven years, and served as Interim Municipal Judge for the City of Boulder for eighteen months. He served as Municipal Judge for the Town of Lochbuie for more than ten y ears, portions of which are in Adams County and portions of which are in Weld County. He also served on the Executive Board of the Colorado Municipal League in Denver. He served as an elected member of his town's Board of Trustees and on his town's Board of Zoning Adjustment. He has tremendous experience in all aspects of local government.
Mr. Cohen lived in Nederland, Colorado for more than twenty years, and is well-versed in issues that often arise with mountain real estate, including easements, boundary disputes, and adverse possession. He has given presentations on easement law to the Colorado Bar Association and at the Rocky Mountain Surveyors Summit.
Because of his diverse background, Mr. Cohen has experience in many areas of the law, but his practices emphasizes commercial law, real estate law, contract law, and related litigation.
An accomplished writer, Mr. Cohen has authored six articles in the prestigious American Jurisprudence Proof of Facts series, including the primary article on piercing the corporate veil. He wrote several articles published in The Colorado Lawyer and an article on equipment leasing for Rocky Mountain Construction. One of his interests is the use of "Plain English" rather than legal jargon in legal writing. He founded The Plain English Institute, a nonprofit that promotes plain English.
Mr. Cohen served six years on the Board of Editors of The Colorado Lawyer (Chairperson 2012-2013), and now serves as editor of that magazine's contract law column. Mr. Cohen also wrote two mysteries published by Time/Warner. His first mystery, The Fractal Murders, was a Book Sense mystery selection and a finalist for the Colorado Book Award. The sequel, Bluetick Revenge, won widespread praise from well-known authors, including Kinky Friedman, Stephen White, and Margaret Coel. He won 2nd Prize in the 2004 National Legal Fiction Writing Competition.
Mr. Cohen is a member of the Board of Directors of and a volunteer instructor for DART, Inc., a non-profit that offers training in preventing and responding to workplace violence, and with that background he drafts and reviews workplace violence policies. He holds a black belt in shudokan karate. In 2022, Colorado Governor Jared Polis appointed Mark to the Colorado Combative Sports Commission, formerly the Colorado Boxing Commission, and he served on that Board until 2025.
Mr. Cohen is a witty CLE speaker and prolific writer. His paper, HOW TO DRAFT A BAD CONTRACT, was praised by Harvard's Steven Pinker as "Simply brilliant." He speaks frequently on topics that include contract drafting, plain English, easements, and piercing the corporate veil.
Start Early. Work Hard. Finish.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Real Estate
35%
Litigation
30%
Commercial Real Estate
15%
Agriculture
10%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Colorado for 42 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 1983
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Mark online.
Mark Steven Cohen's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 45 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Mike | April 30, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Trusted and well prepared
Mark understands the judicial climate of property easement cases. He immediately identified my issues, defined the goals, and set a path forward. That, with his connections with field experts, made for a seamless process. I think he is very affordable for the amount of effort he puts in. Thanks, Mark...
Posted by Ingrid & Don | April 11, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
If I could give 10 stars I would!
We hired Mark to review and start the litigation process in regard to a very complicated commercial real estate transaction. We have also had him review several contracts with construction professionals. Furthermore, we feel we have avoided some future disasters through his wise counsel and knowledg...
Posted by Max | April 3, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent advocate, responsive, transparent
Mark helped me navigate my options and legal rights with regard to a property boundary issue. He also drafted and filed a permissive easement on my behalf to allow my neighbor to continue landscaping an area of land that I found out was actually my property after having my property surveyed (thus pre...
Posted by Kevin J. | February 8, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
FIGHTER AND WINNER!
Mark is smart and tough. He showed our neighbors they would never again prevent us from crossing their land to access our Colorado mountain property. When they ignored our easement rights, Mark pushed back hard. Mark reached a settlement agreement without any concessions. Hire Mark to WIN any content...
Posted by Mag | August 17, 2023 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Mark Cohen Review
I had attempted for 2 years to get a road easement agreement to my property. I hired Mark Cohen, and within 5 or so months, he had the agreement and filed it with the county. He was very accessible, and professional.
Mark Steven Cohen's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mark is a dedicated advocate for his clients. I have no hesitation endorsing this lawyer."
"I have referred many clients to Mark over the years for various legal services such as intellectual property matters, contacts, litigation, and real estate matters. Mark has always been very responsive and has provided excellent legal services to my clients. I continue to refer clients to Mark and recommend anyone who has a need for the legal services he provides to contact Mark."
Jeffrey Cohen
Tax lawyer
Alison Kilmer
Litigation lawyer
Shirin Chahal
Tax lawyer
Sierra Swearingen
General practice lawyer
Franz Frechette
General practice lawyer
Richard Gee
Business lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
BOARD OF EDITORS OF THE COLORADO LAWYER (Chairperson 2013), PRESIDENT OF THE COLORADO BAR ASSN
2004
Community Service Champion (with other Board members), Town of Nederland
2002
Certificate of Service, Colorado Municipal League
1987
Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Air Force
1986
Outstanding Young Military Service Lawyer Award, American Bar Association
1985
Air Force Achievement Medal, U.S. Air Force
Work Experience
2003 - Present
Lawyer, Mark Cohen, J.D., LL.M.
2013 - 2014
Adjunct Professor - Legal Writing, Univ. of Arkansas School of Law
2001 - 2002
Municipal Judge, City of Boulder
1996 - 2003
Prosecuting Attorney, City of Westminster
1990 - 1995
Founding Partner, Cohen Vacanti Higgins & Shattuck
1985 - 1987
Special Asst. U.S. Attorney, United States Dept. of Justice
1983 - 1987
Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Air Force
Associations
1995 - Present
Institute for General SemanticsMember
Colorado Bar Association
Member
Colorado Bar Association, Agricultural and Rural Law Section
Member
Boulder County Bar Association
Member
Federal Bar Association
Member
Colorado Municipal Judges Association
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Optimus, Inc. v Synergetics, Inc. et. al.
Court award of 4.2 million dollars to our client, including punitive damages
Bruce v Helmick and Trescott
Court ruled for Plaintiff
Seitz v Freshwater Publishing
Defendants not liable under veil piercing theory
Woods v Vail Lizard, LLC et al
Significant Settlement in Slip & Fall Head Injury
Fireridge Investments, LLC v Bramley
Verdict for Plaintiff
Jarman v Echo Rock Timber Management, Inc. et. al.
Verdict for Defendants
State v Skrtich
Felony Assault Charges Dropped
State v Foulk
Jury Acquitted Client of All Charges
Corica v Boulder County
Six-figure settlement
Wimmershoff v Banman
Verdict for Defendant
Transaction Regarding Jet Propulsion Laboratory Contracts
Transaction Completed
State v. McClanahan
Not Guilty - Insane
State v McClanahan
Accused of Murder, Found Insane
United States v Marmon
Not Guilty
Education
2014
University of Arkansas School of Law
LL.M.
1985
Air Force Squadron Officers School
1983
University of Colorado School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1980
Whitman College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
University of Nebraska
Speaking Engagements
2016
Rossdale CLE
Alter Ego Liability and Piercing the Corporate Veil
2016
MESA CLE WEBINAR
How to Draft a Bad Contract
2015
Colorado Bar Assn CLE
How to Draft a Bad Contract
2012
Boulder County Bar Association, Business Law Section
A Brief History of Piercing the Corporate Veil
2008
Boulder County Bar Association, Business Law Section
A Brief History of Piercing the Corporate Veil
2007
National Association of Certified Home Inspectors Convention
An: Ounce of Prevention: How Home Inspectors can Minimize the Risk of Claims
2006
National Association of Certified Home Inspectors Convention
An: Ounce of Prevention: How Home Inspectors can Minimize the Risk of Claims
2002
Speaking Engagement
Prosecuting in a High Volume Court
1994
Lorman Business Seminar
Collection Law
1994
A Civilian Attorney's View Of The Military Justice System
A Civilian Attorney's View Of The Military Justice System
1991
Family Law Seminar
The Soldiers' & Sailors' Civil Relief Act
Publications
2017
The Colorado Lawyer
To Be or Not to Be: Using E-Prime to Improve Legal Writing
2016
The Colorado Lawyer
Book Review: Avoiding Bad Depositions
2015
The Colorado Lawyer
Book Review: FTC Practice and Procedure Manual
2015
The Colorado Lawyer
How to Draft a Bad Contract
2012
The Colorado Lawyer
Book Review: Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please: The Case for Plain Language in Business, Government, and Law by Joseph Kimble
2012
Boulder County Bar Newsletter
Plain English: The Basics
2010
Rocky Mountain Construction
17 Things to Consider Before Signing an Equipment Lease
2009
The Colorado Lawyer
Book Review - Preparing Witnesses: A Practical Guide for Lawyers and Their Clients, (3rd Ed. ) by Daniel I. Small
2008
Causes of Action, 36 COA2d 441
CAUSE OF ACTION TO ESTABLISH LIABILITY OF CORPORATE DIRECTOR OR OFFICER
2005
Time Warner Mysterious Press
Bluetick Revenge
2004
Time Warner Mysterious Press
The Fractal Murders
2004
The Colorado Lawyer
Elements of an Effective Workplace Violence Program
2002
The Colorado Lawyer
Entrapment by Estoppel
1987
Air Force Law Review
Trial Preparation & Organization
N/A
43 POF 3d 195
Negligent Operation of Boxing Gym, Martial Arts School, or Similar Establishment,
N/A
53 POF3d
Entrapment by Estoppel
N/A
45 PO3d1
Grounds for Disregarding the Corporate Entity and Piercing the Corporate Veil
N/A
35 POF3d 323
Entitlement to a Stay or Default Judgment Under The Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act
N/A
37 POF3d 1
Proof of Negligent Sale, Entrustment, or Storage of Firearm
N/A
40 POF3d 111
Negligent Operation of Health Club or Similar Facility
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Is a power of attorney valid across state lines?
26 Feb 2009
Q&A
Is a verbal agreement enforceable under Colorado contract law
23 Oct 2008
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
How A Lawyer Can Help in a For Sale By Owner Transaction
30 Apr 2025
Legal Guide
The Forgotten Reply to Defenses
09 Apr 2024
Legal Guide
Enforcing Oral Contracts in Colorado
10 Dec 2023