Matthew Cohen

Counsel

Overview

Matthew Cohen is a counsel in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, where he practices in the Mass Tort, Product, and Consumer Litigation and Product Risk Management groups.

Matthew advises companies of all sizes on consumer product and motor vehicle and equipment compliance and enforcement issues before the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Congress, individual states, and Health Canada. He also litigates complex commercial, mass tort, and product-related disputes in both state and federal courts. In 2014-2020, Matthew was selected by his peers as a "Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers Rising Star" for business litigation.

Matthew regularly counsels clients on compliance with consumer product safety statutes, regulations, and standards, including the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and Poison Prevention Packaging Act. He advises companies on navigating product safety reporting obligations under Section 15(b) of the CPSA, recalls and other corrective action plans, product safety investigations, civil penalties, internal compliance programs and trainings, FOIA requests, and consumer reports filed on the CPSC’s safer products database. As a product safety lawyer, Matthew represents manufacturers, importers, and retailers, including those in the following industries: children’s products; home appliances; electrical equipment and component parts; fitness equipment; furniture; and emerging and innovative technologies including smart and IoT devices and micromobility products.

Similarly, Matthew’s automotive industry practice includes the representation of both manufacturers and suppliers in product defect, warranty, and contract claims, as well as counseling on motor vehicle and equipment safety regulatory issues involving the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Matthew is also a leader in the firm’s Autonomous Vehicles Practice, where he represents leading global manufacturers of self-driving cars and trucks, makers and sellers of vehicle component parts, and related technology developers. 

In addition to his robust product, motor vehicle, and vehicle equipment safety counseling practice, Matthew also counsels corporate clients in complex business litigation in federal and state courts and before governmental agencies. He has extensive experience defending clients in mass tort, product liability, unfair/deceptive trade practices, trade secrets, and commercial contract disputes, among others.

Matthew is proud to support his local community as an elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) for the District of Columbia. ANC’s advise the District on matters of public policy including decisions regarding planning, streets, recreation, social services programs, health, and safety in the neighborhood commission area. Before attending law school, Matthew served in the Policy & Government Affairs Department of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington, D.C.

Career & Education

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    • Cornell University, B.A., distinction in all subjects, 2003
    • Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2008
    • Cornell University, B.A., distinction in all subjects, 2003
    • Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2008
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Member, Law360 Product Liability Editorial Advisory Board, 2019-2020, 2020-2021
    • Member, Steering Committee, District of Columbia Affairs Community, District of Columbia Bar
    • Co-Chair, Legislation Subcommittee, District of Columbia Affairs Community, District of Columbia Bar

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • Member, Law360 Product Liability Editorial Advisory Board, 2019-2020, 2020-2021
    • Member, Steering Committee, District of Columbia Affairs Community, District of Columbia Bar
    • Co-Chair, Legislation Subcommittee, District of Columbia Affairs Community, District of Columbia Bar

Recognition

  • Legal Aid Society: Klepper Prize for Volunteer Excellence in work representing tenants, 2022
  • JD Supra: Readers’ Choice Awards,Top Author on Product Liability, 2016 – 2017
  • Washington, DC Super Lawyers: Rising Star – Business Litigation, 2014 – 2020
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