Joshua D. Cohen
Pronouns: he/him
Director
P: 510.834.6600
F: 510.834.1928
We are men of action. Lies do not become us.
- Dread Pirate Roberts
Joshua D. Cohen
Josh works closely with his clients to efficiently and effectively resolve their problems. Josh has extensive trial experience, litigating a full spectrum of commercial disputes, ranging from real estate to technology, he is adept at addressing clients’ sophisticated litigation needs. He represents clients in litigation prevention, mediation, arbitration and trial in state and federal courts. He has a proven track record of success in high-stakes trials and arbitrations.
Josh’s business litigation experience includes handling disputes regarding partnerships, business torts, trade secrets, high-tech product defects, indemnification and warranty, trademark and copyright infringement, licensing, cannabis-related IP issues, and employment matters regarding non-compete, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements.
Josh has represented major residential and commercial developers, as well as contractors and individuals in disputes regarding purchase and sale, brokers’ commissions, contractor licensing, non-disclosure/fraud/concealment actions and land use issues.
Josh helps cities, counties, special districts and other public entities, as well as private clients throughout the state, in public acquisition (eminent domain) and similar matters.
Education
- J.D., University of California, Davis School of Law
- B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
AREAS OF PRACTICE
OTHER EXPERIENCE
- Real Estate Litigation
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
- Obtained $4 million plus verdict for client in partnership dispute.
- Prosecuted developer who subdivided agricultural preserve into residential lots in violation of local and state law.
- Defended cannabis business against unfair competition claim by competitor.
- Obtained jury verdict and attorneys’ fee award for mail processing company for wrongful termination by customer.
- Negotiated favorable settlement for company threatened with multimillion dollar disgorgement claim for alleged violation of state contractor’s licensing rules.
- Defended international manufacturer and its U.S. subsidiaries against fraud and breach of merger agreement claims in California state and federal courts.
- Full defense verdict in jury trial for East Bay engineering firm accused of trade secret misappropriation and unfair competition.
- Prosecuted fraud/product defect action against computer chip manufacturer resulting in $7.1 million eve of trial settlement.
- Obtained substantial damages and attorneys’ fee award in involuntary dissolution action for partners that were being held hostage by managing member.
- Defeated restraining order and preliminary injunctions for terminated employees accused of trade secret, breach of non-disclosure and non-compete agreements.
- Obtained verdict and attorneys’ fees award in bench trial for specific performance for one of the country’s top five residential developers.
AWARDS AND HONORS
- Northwest Super Lawyers®, Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney, 2022-2024
ARTICLES AND PRESENTATIONS
- Co-Presenter, “Annual Legal Update,” International Right of Way Association, Bay Area Chapters 2, January 26, 2022, 2021, 2019
- Speaker, “Can Appraisers Still Reply on Hearsay After the Sanchez and Stamps Decisions?” IRWA Chapter 42 Spring Conference, Friday, April 3, 2020
- Presenter, “Saving Your Assets,” Wendel Rosen LLP, May 2019
- Author, “USPTO Stripped of Power to Deny Disparaging or Vulgar Trademarks,” The Recorder, April 27, 2018
- Author, “Gold Rush for Cannabis Trademarks,” Marijuana Venture, July 6, 2017
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
- Member, Intellectual Property Section, Contra Costa County Bar Association
- Board Member, Former Chair, Litigation Section, Contra Costa County Bar Association
- Member, International Right of Way Association
- Member, Alameda County Bar Association
- Board of Directors, California Shakespeare Theater
- Board of Directors, Council One
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Courts, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Courts, Northern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit