Steven M. Cohen
Litigation Chair

Areas of Law:
Litigation

Education:
State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, 1987, Juris Doctor
State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1984, BA

Courts Admitted:
New York State Bar, 1989
All New York State Trial and Appellate Courts
United States District Court, WDNY
United States Tax Court
United States Bankruptcy Court
United States Federal Court of Claims, Washington, DC

Professional Associations and Memberships:
American Bar Association
American Trial Lawyers Association
Bar Association of Erie County
Law Enforcement Advocate's Council (LEOAC), Associate Counsel
New York State Bar Association
York State Bar Association Committee on Codification of New York Trial Evidence (2007 – Present)
New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Western New York Trial Lawyers Association

Publications:
A Hedge Against Losses, IRS §1244

Awards:
Strathmore's Who's Who
Presidential Who's Who
New York State Super Lawyer's, Update Edition: Business Litigation; Criminal Defense; Civil Rights/First Amendment

Lectures:
“Proving Excessive Force Cases: Violations of Use of Force Continuums by Law Enforcement Officers” (2007)
“Prosecutorial Misconduct in the Federal System” (2006)
“Representing Volunteer Fire Departments in New York State” (1990, 1991, 1992, 1998, 2003)
“Legal Issues in EMS” (Delivered Annually from 1992-2008, Rochester, New York)
“Cross Examination of Document Experts” (2003)
“Unjust Conviction and Wrongful Incarceration: When the System Fails” (2009)
“Cross Examination of the Arson Investigator” (2004, 2005)
“Cross Examination of the Ballistics and Firearms Expert” (2002, 2004)
“Crime Scene Preservation” (New York State Police Academy 2001, 2002)
“Who’s In Charge: Multi-Jurisdictional Crime Scenes” (New York State Police Academy 2001, 2002)
“Getting It In – Keeping It Out: Trial Evidence in New York” (2008)

From New York City originally and now residing and practicing law in Buffalo, New York, Steven Cohen has been successfully trying civil and criminal cases, including numerous civil rights and constitutional law cases, for the past 20 years. The scrapbook in his waiting room features Mr. Cohen’s victories in dozens of high profile cases in state and federal courts throughout the country. He has represented law enforcement officers from numerous agencies, defending them against false accusations in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings.

Admitted to practice in the State of New York, 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 is a Co-Founder of Law Enforcement Advocate's Council (LEOAC) and lives in Williamsville, New York with his wife Pamela and sons Scott and Marc.

Recent High Profile Cases

USA v. Robert Rhodes - Successfully defended Customs and Border Protection Officer Robert Rhodes against charges brought by a Chinese National that he violated her civil rights while stationed at the Rainbow Bridge in July of 2004. This case attracted international attention.

Robert Rhodes v. Dept. of Homeland Security - Successfully represented CBP Officer Robert Rhodes against the US Dept. of Homeland Security in an arbitration that resulted in Rhodes getting his job back with full retroactive benefits.

Mark Zito v. Niagara Power Coalition - Successfully represented Mark Zito against the Niagara Power Coalition for his commission in obtaining a $1.2 Billion power deal.

Lynn DeJac v. State of New York - Following Ms. DeJac’s release after spending more than 13 years in prison for a crime she did not commit, Mr. Cohen is now representing her against the State of New York for wrongful imprisonment.

City of Buffalo Police Dept. v. Detective Dennis Delano - Represented Detective Delano in his arbitration in which the City of Buffalo is seeking his termination from the Police Department following his utilization of the media to help bring light to the Girard murder case that was being covered up by authorities to protect the reputation of political figures.

Ann Marie Reeb v. Starpoint Central School District - Represented Ann Marie Reeb in the First Amendment case against the school district that prevented her from speaking out at school board meetings in criticism of policies and practices.

People v. Francis Harrington - Represented Francis Harrington in a criminal case that held that the jurisdiction of the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Police was limited off BMHA property. This case was instrumental in the ultimate dissolution of the BMHA Police Force on the grounds that it was not a lawful police department, but a limited peace officer force, and they had been grossly exceeding their lawful authority for years.

Rust v. Turgeon/Dissolution of Roycroft Campus - Represented one of the two owners of the Roycroft Arts and Crafts Campus based in East Aurora, New York in the dissolution and division of assets of this nationally renowned institution. The dissolution included both tangible and intellectual property.

One Niagara LLC/Frank Parlato/David Ho - Represented Hong Kong billionaire David Ho in the real estate scandals involving the One Niagara property in Niagara Falls, New York and the corruption of the Aqua Falls project by Frank Parlato.

Erie County/Aurora Highway Dept. Scandal - Represented Patrick Kennedy, foreman of the Aurora Barn, in the Highway Department scandal that resulted in the conviction and termination of Douglas Naylon and Ronald Sutton.

Jackson/Lewandowski v. Dr. Ivan D’Souza - Represented plaintiffs against OB/GYN Dr. Ivan D’Souza who lost his medical license after being charged with sexual assault of patients.