$ 375-395 per hour
Steven Paul Cohn
About Steven
Biography
I have been practicing employment law, both through counseling and litigating for clients, during the emergence of the Silicon Valley as a tech center. This has provided an enormous wealth of practice experiences and case variety, positioning my firm at the cutting edge of legal precedent and advocacy. I continue to serve as a legal commentator for The NBC and CBS Nightly News, and am a published author in the fields of Civil Rights and Human Resources.
I am a Bay Area native who enjoys understanding clients' goals and helping them through difficult times. I offer an understanding ear, sound practical advice grounded in the law, and have developed a process for developing realistic solutions that are timely, with a law office that can carry them forward. I look forward to helping you.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Contingency
33%-45%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 45 years
State: California
Acquired: 1980
No misconduct found
Location
Advocacy Center for Employment Law
2084 Alameda Way, San Jose, CA, 95126-1002
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Steven Paul Cohn's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 46 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Jonathan | March 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Outstanding, down to earth, personable, effective
Steve has been handling our legal matters for 8 years. He is outstanding: He is knowledgeable, personable, down to earth, and really effective. A couple of matters arose and he was able to expertly resolve them as well as calm our nerves. He knows his stuff. He knows exactly what he's doi...
Posted by Jacob | February 15, 2021 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Would not recommend contacting for advice
I found this firm through a google search as one of the top results, so they have good marketing. My experience this morning leads me to write this review. I would not recommend contacting this firm for advice as I have just done. The head lawyer answered the call and handled the call really rudely. ...
Steven Cohn
Replied last February 15, 2021We clearly regret Jacob's experience and can only offer that Jacob called early on a holiday morning where staff were unavailable to field his call and he was advised of this. We attempted to still learn enough to determine whether we could assist Jacob and perhaps schedule a virtual appointment, however, it was determined that we would not be able to accept this matter. As Counsel was next attempting to provide referral sources to this individual, he abruptly hung up. He similarly did so on a later repeat call the same day. We regret that we cannot accept every case that is referred, but we continue to produce top results for those we can assist, again being named a top AVVO provider for 2020. We wish Jacob success in his matter and regret that he felt slighted by our interaction. This clearly is not the norm, as referenced by over 40 top client reviews who, unlike this reviewer, have actually received services.
Posted by anonymous | November 20, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Results Oriented, No Nonsense, Git’er Done!
I worked with Steve for just under a year on my case. Steven was right by my side every step of the way. Follow up and passing the play by plays as they came kept my confidence through the process. Aside from Steve being an expert in his trade; he’s passionate; straight shooter, very direct (appr...
Posted by George | October 10, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent Law Firm
Having graduated from Law School in 1995 yet not practicing law now, I was very familiar with the processes in a law office. As I explained my situation to Mr. Cohn, I was impressed that he completely listened to everything before commenting. He then explained his theory on the best avenue for succ...
Posted by Edem | September 30, 2019 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Very good lawyer
Had one hour consultation with Steven. He explained me the situation and described possible solutions. Very good lawyer.
Steven Paul Cohn's Lawyer Endorsements
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Mr. Cohn for over 30 years and worked with him on dozens of cases. He's the best! He is a knowledgable, hard working, caring attorney who represents his clients to the max. I send all of my labor and employment cases to him because I know my reputation is on the line and it's safe with him and his work. You simply can't do better in this field than Mr. Cohen."
"I met Mr. Cohn years ago when I was a court clerk observing a trial. Mr. Cohn ripped the defendant's rehearsed testimony to shred during cross-examination. He is a very skilled and respected attorney in the community, which I saw again firsthand when he and I represented opposing companies in a trade secret case. Furthermore, he's an all around decent guy, always willing to provide mentoring and advice to attorneys less experienced than him."
"I endorse Steven. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"I found Steven’s advocacy skills and experience to be superior, and I endorse his practice. Not only does he earn respect from his clients and colleagues, my impression is he is very well regarded by local judges – which is an asset to his practice and of benefit to his clients. I have rarely witnessed counsel be as fluid and articulate arguing for his client’s position or negotiating a difficult settlement; and these are talents they simply can’t teach in law school."
"I wholeheartedly recommend Steven Paul Cohn for your legal needs in the area of Employment Law. I have known Mr. Cohn for more than 40 years, and I have had the opportunity to observe him in all manner of life’s situations. Mr. Cohn has a keen intelligence, a winning attitude, and a highly competitive nature. As a lawyer, Mr. Cohn applies all of his many talents to get to the root of the issue and to make persuasive and effective arguments for his clients, about whom he cares deeply. Marc L. Shea"
"Steven Cohn is my "go-to" guy for anything related to employment law. I have sent many of my own clients to him for legal advice and representation and I have NEVER had anything but positive feedback from them. His ability to explain the most complex legal issues in an easy to understand language is part of what makes him an excellent attorney. But, having had the privilege of actually watching him in Court has only strengthened my opinion that he is truly at the top of his class. I recommend him without reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Steve is an outstanding attorney and one of the top Labor/Employment attorneys in Santa Clara County; he has considerable experience in representing both employees and management which allows him to clearly identify both the strengths and weaknesses of a given case. Steve has considerable credibility among fellow attorneys which allows him to resolve most cases efficiently and timely. I would not hesitate to refer a client to Steve to consult on any labor/employment issue."
"I endorse this lawyer. Steve Cohn is a superb attorney, he has an amazing ability to cut through the case quickly, and reach a speedy and excellent resolution. As an example, in one matter I worked with him, he represented an employer, who was sued in what could have become a high profile and very expensive matter. Steve was quickly able to obtain a dismissal and complete resolution of the case, which saved the business. I highly recommend him."
"Steve knows his employment law and has been helping California's employees for a long time. I have referred many clients to Steve over the years."
Corwin Becker
Employment and labor lawyer
James Dal Bon
Employment and labor lawyer
Arthur Navarette
Sexual harassment lawyer
Daniel Paris
Real estate lawyer
Brett Borah
Workers compensation lawyer
Huan Ly
Car accident lawyer
Bruce Zuchowski
Business lawyer
Thomas Walker
Wrongful termination lawyer
David Luca
Divorce and separation lawyer
Fernando Zazueta
Car accident lawyer
Stephen Pahl
Business lawyer
Philip Rosenblatt
Lawsuits and disputes lawyer
Thomas Gosselin
Business lawyer
Mark Fredkin
Mediation lawyer
Daniel Hanley
Trusts lawyer
Richard Maul
Debt collection lawyer
Thomas Caudill
Debt collection lawyer
Robert Bohn
Personal injury lawyer
Marc Shea
Business lawyer
Bradley Corsiglia
Medical malpractice lawyer
Experience
Honors
2005
Best of the Best: The Attorneys of The Silicon Valley, San Jose Magazine
2004
Best of the Best: The Attorneys of The Silicon Valley, San Jose Magazine
2003
Best of the Best: The Attorneys of The Silicon Valley, San Jose Magazine
2002
Best of the Best: The Attorneys of The Silicon Valley, San Jose Magazine
2001
Best of the Best: The Attorneys of The Silicon Valley, San Jose Magazine
2000
Best of the Best: The Attorneys of The Silicon Valley, San Jose Magazine
1999
Best of the Best: The Attorneys of The Silicon Valley, San Jose Magazine
1996
Who's Who in American Law, American Registry of Who's Who
1996
Induction into Who's Who in the World, British Sterling's Who's Who
1992
Wiley W. Manual Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, State Bar of California
Work Experience
1994 - Present
Attorney, Advocacy Center for Employment Law
1994 - Present
Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association
1990 - 1992
Law Professor, Santa Clara University School Of Law, Santa Clara, Ca
1989 - 1994
Attorney, Bohn, Bennion, Cohn & Niland
1985 - 2013
Mediator, County of Santa Clara Superior Court
1980 - 1986
Attorney, Gassett, Perry & Frank
1978 - 1980
Attorney General Research Clerk, State Of California, Department Of Justice Attorney General's Office
Associations
2004 - Present
California Employment Lawyers AssociationMember
1985 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaMember
1985 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of Santa Clara CountyMember
1980 - Present
Santa Clara County Bar AssociationMember
1996 - 2013
San Francisco Bar AssociationMember
1980 - 2020
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
1980 - 2010
American Arbitration AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Confidential Settlement
$16,000,000 settlement setting records in Santa Clara County, State of CA and top 5 nationally
Rabago v. State of California
$3,000,000 in Merced County, record result, overcoming recreational activities and natural conditions immunities for the State of California.
Weisner vs. Santa Cruz County Civil Service Commission
Firing reversed; ordered to rehear for lesser discipline.
Campos vs. Sunnyvale School District
Firing overturned and federal case settled in confidential compromise.
Padilla vs. Santa Clara County
Pending deliberations, and indicating full reinstatement to job with back pay, case was settled.
Doe vs. State Farm
Case settled for approximately $225,000 without filing of suit.
Hahn vs. Adaptec
Case successfully settled with confidential amount. Following defense appellate motions, case settled with record confidential amount in Sexual Harassment
Doe vs. Barnes
Court approved settlement valued in the mid-seven figures, with establishment of a special needs trust for lifetime care.
Alvas vs. Superior Court
Case was defended and affirmed on appeal.
Education
1980
University of San Diego School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1978
Oxford University
Certification in Civil Liberties
1975
University of California - Santa Barbara
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2008
Continuing Education Series
Employment Investigations
2008
Annual Employment Law Summary
Continuing Education Lecturer
2007
Western Regional Law Symposium
Employment Claims
2003
Continuing Education Series
Employee Leaves
Publications
2008
Lorman Education Services publication
Human Resources Audits
2003
Lorman Education Services publication
Time Off in California
1997
Lorman Education Services publication
Employment and Labor Law in California
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
My job made me pay for on-boarding, undergo paid orientation but refuses to give me shifts and pay, is it legal in CA?
12 Jul 2022
Q&A
Suspended and not told why. I am in a union!
08 Apr 2015
Q&A
Reporting employer for pay cash under the table and not reporting taxes
30 Mar 2015