$ 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
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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
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Steven Paul Cohn's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
46 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (29)
Advocacy (28)
Practice Area Knowledge (19)
Professionalism (19)
Recommendation (19)
Cost of Services (14)
General Knowledge (14)
Communication Style (13)
Character & Conduct (12)
Responsiveness (12)
Trustworthiness (8)
Compassion (7)
Staff & Support (6)
Punctuality (3)
Free Consultations (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 14 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Ella | April 15, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Business
Don't know how we could have done it without your help!
Steven Cohn's office is a very professional organization. Their staff has done an excellent job of helping us set up our legal office operations. They are all considerate and experienced. I really appreciate their depth of knowledge and their ability to get us established. I would recommend him and ...
Posted by anonymous | April 21, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor
Great Attorney!
I was looking for an Employment Law attorney to discuss the issues that I had with my employer. One of my friends told me to contact Mr. Cohn, since he had a great experience with him as well. I met with Mr. Cohen in his office and found him very sincere, kind, knowledgeable, and super sharp. During ...
Posted by Nicole | October 22, 2015 | Employment & Labor
Honest and Personable
I had an employment question regarding a wage and hour dispute with a former employer and Attorney Cohn helped me understand the different options I had to pursue additional back wages I was owed, such as contacting the California Labor Commission and described exactly what the process entailed. He w...
Posted by anonymous | March 12, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Highly Recommended Advocacy Center for Empoloyment Law
My case was not an easy one, but Attorney Steven Paul Cohn worked on it for over a year and a half based on the retainer and knowing that he would not get any additional compensation at the end. He has exceptional interpersonal skills and offers practical and tangible ideas and real-world advice. His...
Posted by anonymous | December 03, 2012 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Mission accomplished
Mr. Cohn was extremely knowledgeable of the law. In my initial consoltation, he told me the procedures of a claim and what to expect. He was very understanding and obviously handled many cases like mine, because he knew right away what my concerns were. Having his presence gave me hope and peace of...
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
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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