Email

Direct Dial: 206-223-2109
Ph: 206-287-9900
Fx: 206-287-9902




Practice Areas:
Construction Law
Construction Litigation

Practice Description:
Mr. Cohen’s practice, since 1991, has focused on representing construction industry clientele, including contractors, owners, subcontractors, suppliers, public entities, design professionals and sureties.  He has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating construction and design contracts, contracting with tribal entities, prosecuting and defending against lien and bond claims, bid protests, preparing FOIA and public disclosure requests, and insurance coverage matters.  Mr. Cohen has litigated construction disputes in state, federal and appellate courts of the region and has extensive experience in binding arbitration, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings. 

Mr. Cohen is the immediate past chair of the Associated General Contractors of Washington Legal Affairs Committee and has testified before the Washington State Legislature on proposed legislation impacting the construction industry. 

Professional Associations & Publications:

• Contracting With Public Entities in Washington, Lorman Education Services (2003)
• AIA Contracts in Washington, Key Clauses in AIA Document A111 – Guaranteed Maximum Price, Lorman Education Services (2003-2007)
• Change Orders in Washington, Lorman Education Services (2004-2006)
• Construction Delay Claims in Washington, Lorman Education Services (2004-2006)
• Mechanic’s Lien Law and Strategies, National Business Institute (2003, 2006)
• Advanced Construction Law, National Business Institute (2004)
• Strong Construction Contracts, National Business Institute (2007)
• WSBA Construction Law Seminar (2006)
• Associated General Contractors of Washington (Past Chair, Legal Affairs)
• Washington State Conference of Masonry Contractors
• Washington State Bar Association, Construction Section
• Virginia State Bar Association, Construction Section

Education:
B.A. Chemistry, University of Virginia, 1984
J.D, with distinction, Emory University School of Law, 1988

Representative Work:
Drafting and negotiation of guaranteed maximum price design-build contract for national retailer’s distribution center.  Preparation of contract documents and public bid package for small municipality’s convention center.  Negotiation of construction contracts with tribal entities, including preparation of security agreements, waivers of sovereign immunity and exclusion of tribal law and jurisdiction.  Negotiation of subcontracts on Sound Transit projects.  Prosecution and settlement of subcontractor claims on White River Amphitheatre project.  Successful arbitration of wrongful termination of demolition/asbestos abatement subcontractor on World Bank renovation in Washington D.C.  Negotiation of takeover agreement on behalf of school district with surety.  Prosecution of general contractor’s $17M delay and impact claim on Alaska Museum project.  Representation of contractors and homeowners in residential contracting disputes involving payment, lien, defect and insurance coverage issues.