Voting Trustee
Elected to the Board: 2020
Vincent H. Cohen Jr. is a partner at Dechert LLP. He focuses on high-stakes litigation on behalf of individuals and corporations. As an experienced trial lawyer and investigator, he represents clients in sensitive government and internal investigations, government enforcement matters and complex civil and criminal litigation. Cohen is the former acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Prior to leading the largest U.S. attorney’s office in the nation, he served as the office’s principal assistant U.S. attorney for five years.
Throughout his career, Cohen has been consistently recognized for his professional accomplishments. He is recognized by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in the area of white-collar crime and government investigations for the District of Columbia and is listed by Legal 500 US for corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense. He was named a Rainmaker by MCCA in 2019 for being an exceptional diverse attorney whose business acumen and dedication to proactive client development set him apart as a leader in the legal profession. In 2018 he was named as one of Savoy Magazine's Most Influential Black Lawyers in America and was also listed as one of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America by Lawdragon. In 2014, he received the Presidential Star Award from the National Bar Association for his contributions in the field of law and in 2010, he was identified as one of the "Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under the Age of 40." Cohen has also received the Director’s Award from the United States Secret Service for his contributions and commitment to the principles of responsible law enforcement and Walker Memorial Baptist Church recognized him with the Public Service and Humanitarian Award for his work in ensuring equal justice for the people of Washington, D.C. through his selfless community involvement.
Cohen serves as an instructor teaching trial advocacy at Harvard Law School's Trial Advocacy Workshop and is a frequent lecturer at Syracuse University, Georgetown University and Harvard law schools. He has served as general counsel and remains an active member of 100 Black Men of America Inc. (Greater Washington), an organization focused on improving the quality of life of minority youth in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
After graduating from Syracuse University in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in sociology from the College of Arts and Sciences, he earned a J.D. in 1995 from the University’s College of Law. While an undergraduate, he was a member of the University men's basketball team.
Cohen serves on the Board Athletics and Finance Committees. His Syracuse University service includes membership on the Office of Multicultural Advancement's Advisory Council. He is a former member of the Syracuse University Law Alumni Association Board of Directors. Cohen received the inaugural Syracuse Law Honors Award from the College of Law in 2015, for his distinguished achievement and in 2008, he received the Chancellor’s Citation for Distinguished Alumni Achievement in Law.
Updated: December 15, 2020