Languages
English
, Spanish
, English
Practice Areas
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Much of my practice is devoted to representing policyholders (individuals, homeowners, businesses, property owners, homeowners' associations) against insurance companies in coverage disputes, bad-faith lawsuits, and class actions. I also represent policyholders against insurance agents and brokers.
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Class Action 47%
I have substantial experience representing plaintiffs in class actions, including the trial of a nationwide class action.
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Resumes
Associations
Association name
|
Position name |
Duration |
Palm Beach County Bar Association |
Member |
N/A |
Florida Bar |
Member |
N/A |
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles |
Member, Board of Governors |
2002 - 1900 |
Consumer Attorneys of California |
Member |
2002 - 1900 |
American Association for Justice |
Member |
2002 - 1900 |
Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles |
Member, Board of Governors |
N/A |
Consumer Attorneys of California |
Member |
N/A |
American Association for Justice |
Member |
N/A |
Awards
Award name
|
Grantor |
Date granted |
Streetfighter of the Year (Finalist) |
Consumer Attorneys of California |
2010 |
Sheldon Traveling Fellow |
Harvard University |
1991 |
Dean's Distinuished Graduate |
University of Texas at Austin, College of Liberal Arts |
1988 |
Phi Beta Kappa |
University of Texas at Austin |
1987 |
Education
School name |
Degree |
Graduated |
University of South Florida |
BS - Bachelor of Science |
1971 |
St Mary's University of San Antonio School of Law |
JD - Juris Doctor |
1975 |
St. Mary's University School of Law |
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor |
1975 |
University of Texas at Austin |
B.A. with Highest Honors |
1988 |
University of Texas at Austin |
B.A. with Highest Honors |
1988 |
Harvard University |
J.D. |
1991 |
Harvard University |
J.D. |
1991 |
License
State |
Number |
Status |
Acquired |
Updated |
TX |
|
MCLE Non-Practicing |
1991 |
11/15/2021 |
FL |
210201 |
Member in Good Standing |
1976 |
09/12/2019 |
Publications
Publication name |
Title |
Date |
CAALA Advocate |
Using claims-adjusting experts in bad-faith cases |
2011 |
CAALA Advocate |
Class actions: they just keep making things harder |
2006 |
The Twentysomething American Dream: A Cross-Country Quest for a Generation |
The Twentysomething American Dream: A Cross-Country Quest for a Generation |
1993 |
Harvard Law Review |
Organ Transplantation |
1990 |
Speaking engagements
Conference name |
Title |
Date |
CAALA Annual Convention |
Post-Claim Underwriting: Can the insurer cancel coverage after a loss? |
2011 |
CAALA Annual Convention |
Litigating Bad-Faith Failure-to-Defend Cases |
2010 |
CAALA Annual Convention |
Demurrers, Motions to Strike, Judgment on the Pleadings |
2009 |
CAALA Annual Convention |
Punitive Damages |
2004 |
CAOC Annual Convention |
The Right-Wing Attack on Consumer Attorneys |
2004 |
Work experience
Title |
Company name |
Duration |
Associate |
Susman Godfrey, LLP |
1992 - 1996 |
Associate |
Smith, Polewski & Cohen LLP |
1996 - 1997 |
Principal, Trial Attorney |
Cohen Darnell & Cohen, a PLLC |
1997 - 1999 |
Associate |
Hagens Berman LLP |
2002 - 2004 |
Associate |
Hagens Berman LLP |
2002 - 2004 |
Associate, Head of Class Action Practice |
Shernoff Bidart & Darras LLP |
2004 - 2005 |
Associate, Head of Class Action Practice |
Shernoff Bidart & Darras LLP |
2004 - 2005 |
Principal, Trial Attorney |
Law Offices of Michael L. Cohen |
2006 - 2007 |
Principal, Trial Attorney |
Law Offices of Michael L. Cohen |
2006 - 2007 |
Principal, Trial Attorney |
Michael L. Cohen, a PLC |
2007 - 1900 |
Principal, Trial Attorney |
Michael L. Cohen, a PLC |
N/A |
Principal, Trial Attorney |
Cohen McKeon LLP |
2010 - 2016 |
Cost
RATES- Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.25%-45%