New York – Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP announced today that Robert G. Cohen has joined the firm as a partner in its Securities Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement practice, resident in its New York office.
Until July 1 of this year, Bob served as Senior Deputy General Counsel and Head of Litigation for Ernst & Young LLP, a position he held since 1994. In that position, Bob was deeply involved in the strategy and decision making relating to all major cases filed against Ernst & Young. Bob also supervised more than twenty lawyers in three offices around the U.S.
"Bob will be an extraordinary practitioner, and his thorough knowledge of accountants' liability law, and his key role in shaping that law over the last 20 years make him an extraordinarily valuable resource for our practice," said James Stengel, Senior Partner of Orrick’s Litigation Division. "Not only does Bob have a remarkable ability to assess cases at an early stage, he has also developed an exceptional perspective on the present and future of accountants' liability and securities litigation. We believe that our accounting firm clients will appreciate the perspective Bob brings to our practice, as well as having him as a practicing lawyer working on their matters."
Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Bob served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Kings County District Attorney's Office from 1976 to 1978 and from 1980 to 1981. He was an attorney in the Enforcement Division of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from 1981 to 1987, and was the New York Regional Counsel for the CFTC from 1985 to 1987.
"The leading accounting firms demand that their outside counsel have a core expertise in auditor's liability, trial capability and significant depth in both of those areas," said Cohen. "I decided to join Orrick because I am convinced the firm has the people and experience that the accounting firms seek. I am excited by the opportunity to add to Orrick’s special expertise in this area."
Bob received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1976 and his B.A. from New York University in 1971.