Firm
Petro Cohen Petro Matarazzo, P.C.
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