Barry D. Cohen - Northfield, New Jersey - Lawyer

Overview

Firm

Petro Cohen Petro Matarazzo, P.C.

Years In Practice

40

Phone Number (609) 677-1700

Mr. Cohen is a founding partner and heads the personal injury department of the firm. For more than 30 years, his practice has been civil litigation, focusing on personal injury, maritime, product liability, professional negligence, and construction accident claims. Mr. Cohen is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney (2001 to present), which is the highest specialty certification available to NJ civil trial attorneys.Mr. Cohen graduated Summa Cum Laude and fourth in his class from Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ) in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. While in college, Mr. Cohen, along with a roommate, Edward Rosenthal, co-founded Academic Activists, which then became New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG). In addition to organizing the initial chapter at Rutgers, they organized chapters at a number of colleges and universities around the State. Over 40 years since its inception, NJPIRG remains one of the most vital and respected not-for-profit consumer based student run advocacy groups in the nation. Mr. Cohen was also a co-founder and executive vice president of Hamagshamim, a college-based Jewish student advocacy organization.Mr. Cohen obtained his J.D. In 1979 at Catholic University of America (Washington, DC). While in Law School, Mr. Cohen was selected as a member of Columbia School of Law Catholic University of America Law Review and wrote an article entitled “The Diplomatic Relations Act of 1978.” This article reviewed the most thorough ongoing revision of the law involving diplomatic immunity since federal legislation regarding sovereign and diplomatic immunity was enacted in 1789. The article was referenced in a number of national television news programs at the outset of the Iran Hostage Crisis in November 1979 since the Law Review article had been just been published and was the most recent authority on the subject.Mr. Cohen’s wife of over four decades, Ronnie, is a speech language pathologist whose practice began when they moved back to the area in 1979. The Cohens have three grown children that are a great source of pride. Their eldest son, Joshua, a graduate of Manhattan School of Music, is a nationally recognized novelist and book critic. His latest novel, “Book of Numbers,” was a national best seller. For many years, he was the new book critic for Harpers Magazine and his reviews have appeared in leading papers and periodicals around the world. He is also a professor of creative writing and literature at Columbia University. Their middle child, Noah, is chief surgical resident at NYU/Langone University Hospital in New York Ciry and will soon start his fellowship in surgical oncology at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital. He and his wife Erica are parents to the Cohen’s only grandson, Benjamin. Talia, the youngest, is currently an executive and producer at a NYC-based media company.Although work and family has kept Mr. Cohen quite busy, when he has free time, he enjoys snooping around junk and antique shops for “found objects” and repurposing them in making, lamps, sculptures, clocks and other objects. He also enjoys snow skiing, traveling whenever possible, distance bicycling, reading, theatre, movies, and good food and wine with friends and family.Mr. Cohen initially worked as a defense attorney concentrating in architectural and engineering malpractice and construction litigation. He served briefly on the State Board of the New Jersey Defense Association. Approximately five years later, he began representing plaintiffs, including those harmed in car crashes, as a result of product defects, or injured on construction sites, in trip or slip and fall incidents, animal attacks/bites, etc. Barry became a member of the State Board of Trustees of New Jersey Association for Justice (formerly NJATLA), the premier plaintiff personal injury advocacy organization in New Jersey and served on the board for over 15 years.In areas outside the legal practice, Mr. Cohen served on the national executive board of the National Jewish Community Relations Council, which was comprised of the major national Jewish communal organizations and was the first chairman of its Environmental Task Force. He was involved in helping to found the Human Relations Council at Stockton College; served as President of Congregation Beth Judah in Ventnor, NJ, and served as chairman of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlantic County.Barry explains that there were three primary reasons he became an attorney. First, he came from a family with eight generations of physicians on his mother’s side but medicine was not his cup of tea. Instead, he was drawn to the law as he observed the societal hurt that needed healing. “In law, I found the effective tools required to make right that which was wronged or to rectify an injustice.” Additionally, while he has always had the temperament for aggressive advocacy, Barry is also a very curious person. “Each case I have had has taught me something new – whether it is how a defective product could have been better designed to avoid the harm it caused or insights into how or why an apparently minor oversight can have immense and sometimes devastating consequences.”Barry finds great satisfaction in representing truly injured people incapable of obtaining justice on their own; who are honest and forthright; and who put their trust in him and the firm. The opportunity to discover the key that successfully unlocks a case and then to advocate on behalf of a client, whether before a judge, a jury, a defense attorney or an insurance company adjuster; and to achieve a successful result on their behalf is rewarding, especially when a client leaves the office not only satisfied with the results, but enthusiastic to recommend the firm to their family and their friends.Mr. Cohen has been recognized for his outstanding legal work as well as his service to the community.Named to the NJ Super Lawyers® list in the practice area of personal injury for 12 yearsRecipient of numerous service awards including Outstanding Service to the Community and Bar – Atlantic County Bar Association, Young Leadership Award – Federation of Jewish Agencies of Atlantic County, Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Community Service – National Conference of Christians and Jews, and Volunteer of the Year Award – Volunteer Center of Atlantic CountyMr. Cohen has been active in numerous organizations throughout his legal career.New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association, 1990 to present, member of Board of Trustees, 1995 to presentNew Jersey American Association of Justice (formerly known as New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association), State Board of Trustees, Member 1995 to presentAtlantic County Bar Association Judicial Appointments Committee, Member, 2008-2010Atlantic County and Cape May County Civil Trial Arbitrator, 1995 to presentVincent S. Haneman America Inn of Court, Atlantic Chapter, Master, 1997 to presentAppointed by Governor Whitman as member of New Jersey – Israel Trade Commission, 1996Board member of the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council, 1989-2000National Co-chair Women’s Task Force, 1989-1990New Jersey Trial Association Annual Boardwalk Seminar – Lecturer, 1998National Co-chair, Immigration Task Force, 1990-1991National Co-chair Committee on Energy and the Environment, 1993-1996