Jeffrey A. Cohen

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 is a member of the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) and currently serves as secretary on PLAC’s board of directors and as a member of the case selection committee. He has written amicus curiae briefs on a wide array of issues addressing product liability, punitive damages, and class actions. Jeff served on the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases for many years and was the chair of the committee in 2020 and 2021. He also previously served as a member of the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Contract and Business Cases.

He is also a frequent lecturer on appellate practice and product liability issues.

• Suzuki Motor Corp. v. Winckler, No. 5D2024-1959, 51 Fla. L. Weekly D761 (Fla. 5th DCA Apr. 10, 2026). Amicus brief supporting manufacturer’s position in product liability case.
• Reach Air Med. Services LLC v. Kaiser Found. Health Plan Inc., 160 F.4th 1110 (11th Cir. 2025). Affirming dismissal of claim against arbitrator under federal No Surprises Act.
• Simon v. Coyote Logistics, LLC, 427 So. 3d 1074 (Fla. 2d DCA 2025). Issues concerning federal preemption under the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act.
• Zibelman v. Tranzenfeld, No. 24-14206, 2025 WL 2794404 (11th Cir. Oct. 1, 2025). Affirming judgment on the pleadings in malicious prosecution action.
• McKinney v. Graham II, 414 So. 3d 286 (Fla. 6th DCA 2025). Reversing $28 million jury verdict in automobile negligence action.
• Espouse III, Inc. v. Genesis Motor Am., LLC, 372 So. 3d 269 (Fla. 4th DCA 2023). Affirming dismissal of Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices claim.
• In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. C-8 Pers. Injury Litig., 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). Amicus curiae brief supporting ultimate result of reversal of certification of class action.
• Von Dyck v. Gavin, 350 So. 3d 842, 843 (Fla. 1st DCA 2022). Secured reversal of judgment of dismissal based upon statute of limitations.
• Fuguet v. Gerker, 5D21-1493, 2022 WL 3206381 (Fla. 5th DCA Aug. 9, 2022). Affirming dismissal with prejudice due to fraud on the court.
• Royal Palm Optical, Inc. v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., No. 21-11335, 2022 WL 1666967 (11th Cir. May 25, 2022), Affirming dismissal of business interruption class action challenging denial of coverage based on government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions.
• Crime v. Looney, 328 So. 3d 399 (Fla. 1st DCA 2021). 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.
• Watson v. Homeowners Choice Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 317 So. 3d 161 (Fla. 4th DCA 2021). Affirming judgment in favor of insurer due to the plaintiff’s failure to comply with proof-of-loss requirement of insurance policy.
• Shaquille O'Neal v. Darling, 321 So. 3d 309 (Fla. 3d DCA 2021). Reinstating award of attorney’s fees against plaintiff and plaintiff’s counsel for pursuing frivolous lawsuit.
• McKinney v. Graham, 313 So. 3d 867, 868 (Fla. 5th 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.
• Arko Plumbing Corp. v. Rudd, 299 So. 3d 1053 (Fla. 3d DCA 2020). Affirming summary judgment in case alleging violation of Uniform Trade Secrets Act, defamation and civil conspiracy.
• Fountainbleau, LLC. v. Hire Us, Inc., No. 2D18-4068 (Fla. 2d DCA June 7, 2019). Grant of petition for writ of certiorari alleging lack of personal jurisdiction to order parties to arbitration. Read Order.
• Odom v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 254 So. 3d 268 (Fla. 2018). Discussing standard for remittitur in Engle-progeny action.
• Darling v. Shaquille O'Neal, 247 So. 3d 481 (Fla. 3d DCA 2018). Affirming summary judgment in case alleging invasion of privacy.
• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Davis, 245 So. 3d 929 (Fla. 3d DCA 2018). Reversing order granting new trial in Engle-progeny action.
• Suarez v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 211 So. 3d 1051 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016). Affirming jury verdict, class membership, addiction causation.
• Russo v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 208 So. 3d 172 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016). Affirming jury verdict, necessity of concurrent cause instruction. 
• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Calloway, 201 So. 3d 753 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016). Reversing jury verdict; improper closing argument; comparative fault.
• JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. v. Colletti Invs., LLC, 199 So. 3d 395 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016). Reversing judgment for consequential damages.
• Payne v. C.R. Bard, Inc., 606 F. App'x 940 (11th Cir. 2015). Affirming summary judgment and exclusion of expert testimony.
• Crimson Ibis, LLC v. U.S. Bank N.A., 155 So. 3d 357 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014). Affirming decision to vacate final judgment.
• Vital Pharm., Inc. v. Prof'l Supplements, LLC, 114 So. 3d 952 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013). Affirming denial of preliminary injunction.
• Darling v. Shaquille O'Neal, 86 So. 2d 1128 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012). Affirming preliminary injunction prohibiting disclosure of documents.
• Swenson v. Am. Ammunition, Inc., 78 So. 2d 736 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012). Affirming summary judgment based on statute of limitations under Louisiana law.
• Minnis v. Ford Motor Co., 75 So. 2d 290 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011). Affirming summary judgment in favor of manufacturer in product liability claim.
• Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v. Laliberte, 52 So. 3d 31 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010). Issues concerning admissibility of scientific testing.
• Adams v. Ford Motor Co., 319 F. App'x 113 (3d Cir. 2009). Dismissing appeal and finding collateral order doctrine inapplicable.
• Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 5 So. 3d 786 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009). Granting certiorari and quashing an order permitting the plaintiff to plead punitive damages without providing sufficient notice.
• Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 971 So. 2d 854 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007). Reversing jury verdict based on improper admission of other accident evidence and evidence of subsequent remedial measures.
• Kish v. A.W. Chesterton Co., 930 So. 2d 704 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006). Affirming summary judgment based on statute of repose on fraud.
• Grunow v. Valor Corp. of Fla., 904 So. 2d 551 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005). Relationship between product defect and negligence in wrongful death, product liability action arising from murder of a teacher by a student.

• AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• The Best Lawyers in America, Appellate Practice (2024–2026)
• South Florida Legal Guide
• Florida Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine (2017–2019)
• Finalist, Most Effective Lawyers Award, Daily Business Review (2010)

• Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC)
  • Secretary, Board of Directors
  • Case Selection Committee
• American Bar Association
• DRI
• The Florida Bar
• Florida Supreme Court
  • Chair, Standard Jury Instructions Committee – Civil Cases (2020–2021)​
  • Vice Chair, Standard Jury Instructions Committee – Civil Cases (2018–2019)​
  • Former Member, Standard Jury Instructions Committee – Contract and Business Cases
• The 200 Club of Greater Miami
• International Association of Defense Counsel
  • Former Chair, Appellate Committee

• “Amicus Program – 2026 Year in Review: Hot Topics, Developments, and Emerging Issues,” PLAC 2026 Spring Conference, Washington, D.C. (March 26, 2026)
•  “Appellate Counsel: They’re Not Just for Appeals Anymore,” PLAC 2024 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," PLAC 2022 Spring Conference, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (April 28, 2022)
• "Hitting the Brakes on Runaway Juries and Punitive Damages in Automotive Cases," ACI 12th National Forum on Defending and Managing Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Chicago, IL (July 18–19, 2019)
• "Tricks of the Appellate Trade," 2019 Appellate Practice Regional CLE Program, ABA Section of Litigation Appellate Practice Committee, Miami, FL (May 16, 2019)
• "And Now, the Law," ABA Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference, San Diego, CA (April 4, 2019)
• “And Now, the Law,” ABA 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,” ACI Automotive Product Liability Litigation Conference, Chicago, IL (June 10, 2016)
• “And Now, the Law,” ABA 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," ACI Automotive Product Liability Litigation Conference, Chicago, IL (June 3, 2015)