Overview
Jeff Cohen has 30 years of experience addressing legal issues at trial and on appeal. Jeff focuses on the representation of businesses and insurance companies in high-exposure, often highly publicized, cases ranging from product liability and personal injury lawsuits to class actions and commercial litigation. He has worked on appellate matters or provided trial support in more than 30 states and territories, in both state and federal courts, and has provided trial support in more than 60 cases.
Jeff has written amicus curiae briefs on a wide array of issues addressing product liability, punitive damages, and class actions, and is a frequent lecturer on appellate practice and product liability issues.
Experience
Represented insurer in seminal Florida punitive damages case; court declined to express opinion on plaintiff’s argument that punitive damages claim against insurer was properly rejected. Perlmutter v. Federal Insurance Co., 434 So. 3d 681 (Fla. 2026).
Reversing summary judgment on crossclaim seeking contractual indemnity. Sen v. GR Realty Holdings LLC, 249 A.D.3d 493 (N.Y. App. Div. 2026).
Affirming dismissal of reimbursement claim under the federal Medicare Secondary Payer Act and False Claims Act. Stillwell v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., No. 21-13740, 2026 WL 1480364 (11th Cir. May 27, 2026).
Reversing summary judgment on crossclaim seeking indemnity. Walgreen Co. v. Pappalardo, 435 So. 3d 676 (Fla. 6th DCA 2026).
Amicus brief supporting manufacturer’s position in product liability case. Suzuki Motor Corp. v. Winckler, 434 So. 3d 104 (Fla. 5th DCA 2026).
Affirming dismissal of claim against arbitrator under federal No Surprises Act. Reach Air Medical Services LLC v. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc., 160 F.4th 1110 (11th Cir. 2025).
Issues concerning federal preemption under the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act. Simon v. Coyote Logistics, LLC, 427 So. 3d 1074 (Fla. 2d DCA 2025).
Affirming judgment on the pleadings in malicious prosecution action. Zibelman v. Tranzenfeld, No. 24-14206, 2025 WL 2794404 (11th Cir. Oct. 1, 2025).
Reversing $28 million jury verdict in automobile negligence action. McKinney v. Graham II, 414 So. 3d 286 (Fla. 6th DCA 2025).
Affirming dismissal of Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices claim. Espouse III, Inc. v. Genesis Motor America, LLC, 372 So. 3d 269 (Fla. 4th DCA 2023).
Amicus curiae brief supporting ultimate result of reversal of certification of class action. In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. C-8 Personal Injury Litigation, 87 F.4th 315 (6th Cir. 2023).
Amicus curiae brief supporting ultimate result of reversal of certification of class action. Earl v. Boeing Co., 53 F.4th 897 (5th Cir. 2022).
Secured reversal of judgment of dismissal based upon statute of limitations. Von Dyck v. Gavin, 350 So. 3d 842, 843 (Fla. 1st DCA 2022).
Affirming dismissal with prejudice due to fraud on the court. Fuguet v. Gerker, No. 5D21-1493, 2022 WL 3206381 (Fla. 5th DCA Aug. 9, 2022).
Affirming dismissal of business interruption class action challenging denial of coverage based on government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions. Royal Palm Optical, Inc. v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., No. 21-11335, 2022 WL 1666967 (11th Cir. May 25, 2022).
Reversing judgment against defendant in personal injury action based upon improper refusal to apportion fault to non-party and remanding for new trial on all issues. Crime v. Looney, 328 So. 3d 399 (Fla. 1st DCA 2021).
Affirming judgment in favor of insurer due to the plaintiff’s failure to comply with proof-of-loss requirement of insurance policy. Watson v. Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Co., 317 So. 3d 161 (Fla. 4th DCA 2021).
Reinstating award of attorney’s fees against plaintiff and plaintiff’s counsel for pursuing frivolous lawsuit. Shaquille O'Neal v. Darling, 321 So. 3d 309 (Fla. 3d DCA 2021).
Reversing multimillion-dollar verdict based on improper introduction of evidence of intoxication and improper exclusion of evidence related to potential bias of treating physician. McKinney v. Graham, 313 So. 3d 867, 868 (Fla. 5th DCA 2021).
Affirming summary judgment in case alleging violation of Uniform Trade Secrets Act, defamation and civil conspiracy. Arko Plumbing Corp. v. Rudd, 299 So. 3d 1053 (Fla. 3d DCA 2020).
Grant of petition for writ of certiorari alleging lack of personal jurisdiction to order parties to arbitration. Fountainbleau, LLC v. Hire Us, Inc., 273 So. 3d 1152 (Fla. 2d DCA 2019).
Affirming summary judgment in case alleging invasion of privacy. Darling v. Shaquille O'Neal, 247 So. 3d 481 (Fla. 3d DCA 2018).
Discussing standard for remittitur in Engle-progeny action. Odom v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 254 So. 3d 268 (Fla. 2018).
Obtained reversal of an order granting a new trial in an Engle-progeny action. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Davis, 245 So. 3d 929 (Fla. 3d DCA 2018).
Affirming jury verdict, class membership, addiction causation. Suarez v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 211 So. 3d 1051 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016).
Reversing jury verdict; improper closing argument; comparative fault. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Calloway, 201 So. 3d 753 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016).
Affirming jury verdict, necessity of concurrent cause instruction. Russo v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 208 So. 3d 172 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016).
Reversing judgment for consequential damages. JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. v. Colletti Investments, LLC, 199 So. 3d 395 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016).
Affirming summary judgment and exclusion of expert testimony. Payne v. C.R. Bard, Inc., 606 F. App'x 940 (11th Cir. 2015).
Affirming preliminary injunction prohibiting disclosure of documents. Darling v. Shaquille O'Neal, 86 So. 3d 1128 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012).
Affirming summary judgment based on statute of limitations under Louisiana law. Swenson v. American Ammunition, Inc., 78 So. 3d 736 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012).
Affirming summary judgment in favor of manufacturer in product liability claim. Minnis v. Ford Motor Co., 75 So. 3d 290 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011).
Issues concerning admissibility of scientific testing. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v. Laliberte, 52 So. 3d 31 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010).
Dismissing appeal and finding collateral order doctrine inapplicable. Adams v. Ford Motor Co., 319 F. App'x 113 (3d Cir. 2009).
Granting certiorari and quashing an order permitting the plaintiff to plead punitive damages without providing sufficient notice. Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 5 So. 3d 786 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009).
Reversing jury verdict based on improper admission of other accident evidence and evidence of subsequent remedial measures. Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 971 So. 2d 854 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007).
Affirming summary judgment based on statute of repose on fraud. Kish v. A.W. Chesterton Co., 930 So. 2d 704 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006).
Relationship between product defect and negligence in wrongful death, product liability action arising from murder of a teacher by a student. Grunow v. Valor Corp. of Florida, 904 So. 2d 551 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005).
News & Insights
News
Publications
Speaking Engagements
"Amicus Program — 2026 Year in Review: Hot Topics, Developments, and Emerging Issues," Product Liability Advisory Council Spring Conference, Washington, D.C. (March 26, 2026)
"Appellate Counsel: They're Not Just for Appeals Anymore," Product Liability Advisory Council Spring Conference, Nashville, TN (April 4, 2024)
"Store Violence Prevention: Gun Violence and Safety Measures," CSP 20th Annual Risk Management Forum, Dallas, TX (April 12, 2023)
"A Peek Inside Standard Jury Instruction Committees: How the Sausage Gets Made," Product Liability Advisory Council Spring Conference, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (April 28, 2022)
"Hitting the Brakes on Runaway Juries and Punitive Damages in Automotive Cases," American Conference Institute 12th National Forum on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, IL (July 18–19, 2019)
"Tricks of the Appellate Trade," Appellate Practice Regional CLE Program, American Bar Association Litigation Section Appellate Practice Committee, Miami, FL (May 16, 2019)
"And Now, the Law," American Bar Association Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference, San Diego, CA (April 4, 2019)
"And Now, the Law," American Bar Association Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference, Phoenix, AZ (April 6, 2017)
"Spotlight on Personal and General Jurisdiction: Case Law Updates, Supreme Court Rulings, Resolving Issues With Foreign Defendants, and Defining Being at Home and Principal Place of Business," American Conference Institute Automotive Product Liability Litigation Conference, Chicago, IL (June 10, 2016)
"And Now, the Law," American Bar Association Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference, Phoenix, AZ (April 7, 2016)
"The Latest Nuances on Defending Typical Defect Theories: Rollovers, Side Curtain Air Bags, Tire Aging, Electronic Stability Control, Seat Backs, and Beyond," American Conference Institute Automotive Product Liability Litigation Conference, Chicago, IL (June 3, 2015)
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Recognition
Honors & Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America (2024–2027)
Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2010–2020)
Finalist, Most Effective Lawyers Award, Daily Business Review (2010)
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. See Awards Methodology.
Professional & Community Involvement
Professional & Community Involvement
Jeff is a member of the Product Liability Advisory Council, where he serves on the board of directors and the case selection committee. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, DRI, and the Florida Bar.
His past service includes chairing the Appellate Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel. He also served on the Florida Supreme Court's Standard Jury Instructions Committee for Civil Cases, including as chair and vice chair, and on its Standard Jury Instructions Committee for Contract and Business Cases.
In the community, Jeff is a member of the 200 Club of Greater Miami, which provides financial assistance to the families of first responders who lose their lives in the line of duty.
Beyond the Bio
Jeff has helped shape how civil cases are tried in Florida through his work on the state's standard jury instructions, and he has been a leader in the national defense bar's appellate work. He lectures often on appellate practice and product liability, and in Miami, he helps support families of first responders killed in the line of duty. At the firm, Jeff co-chairs the Mass Tort and Product Liability Practice.
At the University of Miami School of Law, Jeff was inducted into the Order of the Coif and served as a project editor of the University of Miami Law Review.
Related Capabilities
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
Education
J.D., cum laude, University of Miami School of Law
B.A., University of Wisconsin–Madison
