Rob Cohen

Partner

Robert Cohen is a commercial litigator and strategist with extensive experience in complex, high-stakes disputes. He brings a unique perspective from roles as both a BigLaw partner and government ethics enforcer, offering sophisticated legal strategy paired with practical risk assessment. Rob has litigated multi-billion dollar disputes, led major government investigations, and built a successful boutique practice.

Rob combines meticulous case development with efficient execution. Having managed large trial teams in multiple litigations simultaneously, he deploys resources strategically while maintaining focus on business objectives. As Special Counsel at the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics, he led a team of attorneys that developed and implemented one of the country's most comprehensive source of funding disclosure regulations for lobbyists and their clients, and co-led the landmark investigation that resulted in the resignation of Assemblyman Vito Lopez.

Whether representing plaintiffs or defendants, Rob designs litigation strategies aligned with commercial goals. He excels at translating complex legal issues into clear business decisions and achieves favorable settlements through litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Notable Matters

• Senior member of trial team that secured ten-figure settlement on eve of trial in private antitrust litigation involving 200 million pages of document production and 300 depositions

• Secured complete victory for Michelin-starred celebrity chef, successfully unwinding partnership agreement that had stripped him of salary and intellectual property rights in his own name, with no payment required

• Won judgment for private equity fund against multinational insurance corporation, including award of attorneys' fees and costs, in a complex warehouse lending dispute

• Led years-long federal civil rights impact litigation together with the New York Civil Liberties Union and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York that resulted in complete overhaul of the psychiatric unit at Brooklyn's Kings County Hospital Center

• Secured eight-figure settlement for national leading commercial lighting technology company in post-acquisition dispute

• Defended investor in eight-figure luxury spirits company dispute, settling during trial with no financial liability for client

• Successfully defended energy service company in class action consumer fraud lawsuit, securing dismissal

Background & Recognition

Rob co-founded Taylor & Cohen LLP in 2015 after serving at Kirkland & Ellis LLP (2001-2012, partner from 2006) and as Special Counsel and Director of Ethics and Lobbying Guidance at the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (2012-2015). He later served as a gubernatorially-appointed Commissioner on the same body (2017-2021).

Prior to attending law school, Rob worked for five years as a legislative assistant and Appropriations Subcommittee staff member in the Washington, D.C. office of Rep. Ed Pastor. Rob earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Chicago Law School and his B.A. cum laude in Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating law school, he clerked for Hon. Michael Hawkins for the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th circuit. 

He is admitted in New York and multiple federal courts.