Joshua Cohn Named Managing Partner
Cohn Lifland is pleased to announce that Joshua P. Cohn has been named Managing Partner as of July 1, 2025. Joshua is the sixth Managing Partner in the firm’s storied 101-year history. Joshua’s predecessors include his grandfather, David Cohn, and his father, Albert L. Cohn, as well as name partners Peter S. Pearlman and Jeffrey W. Herrmann and, most recently, Richard A. Schnoll. We wish Joshua success as the firm embarks upon its next century of distinguished legal practice.
Cohn Lifland honored recently retired partner, Peter S. Pearlman, with a luncheon and the presentation of a portrait to be displayed in the firm’s primary conference space, known as the Founders Room. Peter joined the firm in 1970 and practiced for 55 years until his retirement at the end of 2024. He also served as the firm's Managing Partner from 2012 to 2015 and he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by The New Jersey Law Journal in 2022. Mr. Pearlman’s portrait will take its place beside the portraits of firm founders, David Cohn and Albert Cohn.
Cohn Lifland Welcomes Summer Associate
Cohn Lifland is happy to welcome our 2025 summer associate, Kory Gaskin. Kory, who has finished his second year at Rutgers Law School, is a 2020 graduate of Montclair State University, where he majored in International Justice and minored in Criminal Law. Upon graduating, he was a court clerk in the Passaic County Criminal Division.
Kory grew up in Englewood and currently resides in West Orange. He plays piano and listens to music and he is a devoted fan of soccer and football.
Montclair Council Weighs Remote Public Comment Option
Montclair's town council is considering changes to its rules for public comment at meetings, including one that would allow the public to address the council remotely. In an article in Montclair Local, "Montclair Council Weighs Remote Public Comment Option," Cohn Lifland's Walter Luers said that the council cannot restrict who speaks during public comment sessions. Said Luers, "They cannot limit participation by the public only to residents. That would be a rather obvious violation of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act."
To see the article, click here.
Walter was also recently quoted, in his capacity as a board member of the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government, in an article about transparency issues at the Newark Board of Education.
Jeffrey Herrmann Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Cohn Lifland
To business that we love we rise betime,
And go to’t with delight.
Anthony and Cleopatra
Act IV, Scene 4
Congratulations to Jeffrey W. Herrmann on his 50th anniversary with the firm. From his first days as a Summer Associate until the present, Jeffrey has thoroughly enjoyed the practice of law and the people in it. Jeffrey concentrates his practice in complex commercial litigation, including securities litigation and class actions. Last year, Jeffrey was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the New Jersey Law Awards. His acceptance speech reflecting how the practice of law has changed over time, is here.
Maurice Inducted into Hall of Fame
Cohn Lifland is proud to congratulate our partner, Joseph Maurice, on his induction into the Bergen Catholic High School Hall of Fame. We recognize Joe, Class of ’87, for his dedication to serving both the legal and Bergen Catholic communities. His commitment and contributions exemplify the spirit of excellent and service.
Cohn Lifland Attorneys Among 2025 NJ Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Seven Cohn Lifland attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of New Jersey Super Lawyers, published by Thomson Reuters. They are: Joshua P. Cohn – Family Law; Jeffrey M. Fiorello – Family Law; Jeffrey W. Herrmann – Business Litigation; Leonard Z. Kaufmann – Business Litigation; Joseph A. Maurice – Civil Litigation; Allen Susser – Business Litigation, Real Estate-Business, Creditor/Debtor Rights-Business, Business/Corporate; and Amanda S. Trigg – Family Law.
Mr. Herrmann has been included every year since the list originated in 2005.
In addition, three attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 New Jersey Super Lawyers – Rising Stars: Matthew F. Gately – Class Action & Mass Torts; Jacqueline Larsen -- Family Law; and Christina Stripp – Business Litigation.*
According to Super Lawyers, only five percent of the lawyers in New Jersey are selected for inclusion on its lists. Cohn Lifland is proud that 64% of our attorneys were included on the lists this year.
*The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are issued by Thomas Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at Super Lawyers Selection Process. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Joshua P. Cohn, Jeffrey Fiorello, Jeffrey W. Herrmann, Leonard Z. Kaufmann, Joseph A. Maurice, Allen Susser, Amanda S. Trigg, Matthew F. Gately, Jacqueline N. Larsen, Christina N. Stripp
"Algorithmic Decision-Making Practices by Employers Could Violate the LAD"
Alex Pisarevsky published "Algorithmic Decision-Making Practices by Employers Could Violate the LAD," in the March 11, 2025 issue of The New Jersey Law Journal.
On January 9, 2025, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced that DCR has launched a new civil rights and technology initiative "to address the risks of discrimination and bias-based harassment stemming from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies..." The DCR has issued guidance outlining its views on how the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) applies to the use of these technologies (guidance).
Click here to read the article.
Denise Clemens Celebrates 35 Years with Cohn Lifland
We congratulate Assistant Office Manager Denise Clemens on her 35th anniversary with Cohn Lifland. Denise joined the Firm in 1990 as Assistant to Managing Partner Albert Cohn, whom she worked for 21 years and became Assistant Office Manager in 2012, after Albert’s passing. Thank you, Denise, for all you have done for the Firm since 1990!
Developments in Open Public Records Act (OPRA)
Walter Luers will be featured on a panel in a virtual CLE, "Developments in Open Public Records Act (OPRA)", presented by Women Lawyers in Bergen, on March 12, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., via Zoom. The panel will address recent caselaw, tips on how to get OPRA requests fulfilled and future trends. For more information and to register: https://bit.ly/4gYvvoD
