Overview
From New York City originally and now residing and practicing law in Buffalo, New York, Mr. Cohen has been successfully trying civil and criminal cases for over 30 years. In addition to corporate and individual litigation clients, he regularly represents local, state and federal law enforcement officers from numerous agencies, defending them in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings.
Admitted to practice in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, he has been admitted pro hac vice to conduct trials in many other states. Mr. Cohen is often brought in as special trial counsel by other law firms in civil rights and complex litigation cases. Steven M. Cohen has appeared, and his cases featured on local and national media, including Good Morning America, Dateline NBC, 24 Hours, CNN, Dr. Drew, Neil Cavuto and Geraldo Rivera. His cases have been featured in the Buffalo Law Journal, New York Law Journal, National Law Journal, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Associated Press outlets. Mr. Cohen is a co-founder of the Law Enforcement Officers Advocate's Council (LEOAC) and lives in Williamsville, New York with his wife Pamela.
Honors & Awards
Strathmore's Who's Who
Presidential Who's Who
Who's Who in Law - Buffalo Business First
New York State Super Lawyers - Upstate Edition, Business
Litigation, Criminal Defense and Civil Rights/First Amendment
Professional & Community Activities
American Bar Association, Member
American Association for Justice, Member
Bar Association of Erie County, Member
Law Enforcement Advocate's Council (LEOAC), Associate Counsel
New York State Bar Association - Committee on Codification of New York Trial Evidence, Member
New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Western New York Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Email Steven
News
News
- Law 360, January 4, 2021
- Spectrum News, December 14, 2020
- An Amherst law firm has filed a lawsuit on behalf of 38 county businesses representing hair salons, barber shops, aestheticians, and beauty parlors.WGRZ, December 10, 2020
- Buffalo Business First & Buffalo Law Journal, September 23, 2019
- Super Lawyers, August 14, 2019
- Channel 4 News, August 13, 2019
- PresentationMarch 28, 2019
- Buffalo Business First, February 19, 2019
- HoganWillig Press Release, January 28, 2019
- In the NewsJanuary 14, 2019
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent, November 13, 2018
- Buffalo Business First & Buffalo Law Journal, September 27, 2018
- Investigative Post, September 14, 2018
- August 13, 2018
- August 24, 2017
- October 3, 2016
- July 14, 2016
- July 6, 2016
- September 16, 2015
- May 16, 2015
- August 24, 2011
Seminars & Speaking Engagements
- Steven Cohen Presents:St. Maximilian Kolbe RC Parish's East Pembroke Hall, April 30, 2019
- Ellicottville Library | 6499 Maples Rd, Ellicottville, NY 14731, November 21, 2017
- Ellicottville Sports Boosters, August 7, 2017
- HoganWillig Ellicottville Office, April 22, 2017
Social Media
Blog Posts
- HoganWillig Blog, February 8, 2019
- HoganWillig Blog, July 12, 2017
- HoganWillig Blog, July 18, 2016
- HoganWillig Blog, May 16, 2012
Noteworthy Cases
Noteworthy Cases
In the Matter of Amanda Wienckowski - Reversing a determination of accidental death by the Erie County Medical Examiner.
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 represented her against the State of New York, County of Erie and City of Buffalo for wrongful imprisonment and prosecutorial misconduct.
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.
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.
Erie County/Aurora Highway Dept. Scandal - Represented Patrick Kennedy, foreman of the Aurora Barn, in the Highway Department scandal that resulted in the acquittal and exoneration of Mr. Kennedy and the conviction and termination of his accusers.
In the matter of the murder of Bianca Cartagena - Worked with friends and family of the decedent to get the death certificate changed from "accidental death" to "homicide". Worked to help secure indictment.
Practice Areas
Admissions
- New York State
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Washington D.C.
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
J.D., 1987, State University of New York at Buffalo Law School
B.A., 1984, State University of New York at Stony Brook