June 22, 2024
Cohen Milstein has been recognized by the Legal 500 as a Top Ranked law firm in three nationwide practice areas:
- Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Plaintiff – Nationwide – Tier 1
- Securities Litigation: Plaintiff – Nationwide – Tier 2
- Product Liability, Mass Torts & Class Actions: Plaintiff – Nationwide – Tier 1
Here’s what Legal 500 had to say about each practice area and the attorneys:
Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Plaintiff – Nationwide – Tier 1
Ranked Individuals
- Hall of Fame – Rich Koffman
- Leading Lawyers – Brent Johnson and Sharon Robertson
- Next Generation Partners – Michael Eisenkraft
Commentary
Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC is a Washington DC-based practice with ‘a wonderful reputation of handling the most complex class action cases in the country.’ The antitrust team represents clients in cases against major names in the banking, pharmaceutical, meat, and real estate industries, often resulting in government investigations. Benjamin Brown and Brent Johnson co-chair the team, both taking leading roles in multiple valuable antitrust and wage suppression cases. The practice is complemented by Sharon Robertson, who lends her expertise in pharmaceutical lawsuits and pay-for-delay disputes. Michael Eisenkraft focuses on manipulation and collusion in the financial markets. Emmy Levens ‘is a sparkling example of what every trial lawyer should endeavor to be’ and has provided invaluable protection to consumer classes. Daniel Silverman is a key name, with significant prowess in witness work, class certification, and substantiating damages. Former co-chair Richard Koffman continues to be active in cases alleging conspiratorial behavior in the telecoms and veterinary industries.
Testimonials
‘The team has exceptional depth of experience when it comes to prosecuting and managing antitrust class actions. They know how to get cases certified and are able to take the cases to trial, if necessary.’
‘They know which experts to hire to help get cases certified as class actions. They also have substantive knowledge of the antitrust laws, which allows them to anticipate arguments that the defendants will make and respond accordingly.’
‘Cohen Milstein has a wonderful reputation of handling the most complex class action cases in the country. The firm has a deep bench of highly respected lawyers.’
Securities Litigation: Plaintiff – Nationwide – Tier 2
Ranked Individuals
- Leading Lawyers – Julie Reiser and Steve Toll
- Next Generation Partners – Michael Eisenkraft
Commentary
Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC has ‘a strong team, top to bottom’ and clients remark that the firm is ‘engaged in cutting edge litigation and is striking a unique path in the industry’. The firm continues to cement its position as a securities litigation powerhouse with the confirmation of a $1bn settlement against Wells Fargo ending a three-year securities fraud class action concerning false and misleading statements to the public and Congress regarding issues of critical concern. The ten-partner securities litigation and investor protection litigation practice is led by ‘fierce and zealous advocate’ Steven Toll, who is ‘one of the deans of the class action bar’, and Julie Reiser, who has a stellar track record in addressing corporate board failures in the wake of #MeToo, as well as other systemic discrimination and harassment-related scandals through shareholder derivative litigation. Both are based in Washington DC. In the New York office, key partner Laura Posner, former Bureau Chief for the New Jersey Bureau of Securities, leads the firm’s efforts in securities class actions related to independent auditor fraud. Up-and-coming partner Michael Eisenkraft continues to build his reputation in innovative market manipulation and collusion cases relating the global financial markets.
Testimonials
‘Strong team, from top to bottom. Engaged in cutting edge litigation and striking a unique path in the industry.’
‘Steve Toll is one of the “deans” of the class action bar – always a fierce and zealous advocate but can be a statesman and diplomat as well.’
Product Liability, Mass Torts & Class Actions: Plaintiff – Nationwide – Tier 1
Ranked Individuals
- Leading Lawyers – Andrew Friedman, Theodore Leopold, Leslie Kroeger
Commentary
Recognized as ‘one of a handful of law firms in the US capable of taking on the largest and most powerful corporate defendants in class actions’, Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC displays strong leadership and trial skills, successfully securing high-profile victories against large corporates and government entities. Under the leadership of the vastly experienced Theodore Leopold, the firm continues to act as co-lead class counsel in the high-profile toxic tort Flint water litigation and is currently attempting to hold two engineering companies to account for alleged professional negligence. This follows on from the firm’s success in fending off sovereign and qualified immunity doctrines and successfully securing court approval for a landmark $625.5m settlement against the State of Michigan. High-stakes toxic tort matters also account for a significant proportion of Leslie Kroeger’s caseload, with her continuing to work with Leopold on the aforementioned matter as well as a series of five putative environmental toxic tort class actions filed against E.I. DuPont de Nemours Company and The Chemours Company for knowingly discharging PFAS into the Cape Fear River. In Washington DC, Geoffrey Graber, who displays ‘appropriate judgement as to tactics and strategy’ and Douglas McNamara are also key members of the team, as is former co-chair of the consumer protection group Andrew Friedman, all of whom are particular experts at handling large-scale class actions alleging data breach/privacy infractions. All named practitioners are based out of the firm’s Florida office unless otherwise indicated.
Testimonials
‘Cohen Milstein is one of a handful of law firms in the US capable of taking on the largest and most powerful corporate defendants in class actions.’
‘They are relentless, talented, and well-resourced.’
‘Geoffrey Graber is knowledgeable, dedicated, and relentless in pursuit of victory, while at all times exercising appropriate judgement as to tactics and strategy.’