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Drawing on his wealth of knowledge and broad experience in business and real estate, Howard Allen Cohen assists clients as an advisor in their transactions and as a litigator in the courtroom. He has Martindale-Hubbell’s highest “AV” rating and is rated 10.0 by avvo.com, its highest rating.
A board certified specialist (B.C.S.) in real estate, Cohen has spent more than three decades in private practice, focusing on commercial real estate with an emphasis on mortgage lending and other financial matters. For instance, he represented the developer of the St. Regis Hotel and Residences (now the Ritz-Carlton), a five-star Fort Lauderdale oceanfront project, in the closing of a $118 million construction, semi-permanent take-out, and multiple mezzanine mortgage loan transaction.
Cohen assists clients in all aspects of commercial and residential transactions, including leasing, preparation of condominium documents, title insurance, tax-deferred exchanges, and title matters. He also represents parties in real property litigation, including access, easement, and quiet title disputes. Cohen’s practice includes various aspects of corporate and business law, including commercial litigation.
Cohen graduated cum laude from Rutgers – The State University in New Jersey, winning the Edward McNall Burns Prize for the highest grade point average in the political science department. After earning his juris doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School in 1973, he was appointed a New Jersey deputy attorney general before relocating to Florida. He was an instructor at the University of Miami School of Law in 1976-77 and has since been engaged in private practice.
Practice Description
Cohen advises real estate owners, investors, developers, landlords, tenants and individual clients – and represents their interests as a litigator – in the following areas:
- Acquisition and sale of residential and commercial properties
- Mortgage financing by institutional lenders, including acquisition, development, construction and permanent loans
- Lease agreements for office, restaurant and retail spaces
- Preparation of condominium association documents, agreements and restrictive covenants
- Development of planned unit developments and other forms of cluster housing
- Construction contracting
Cohen’s practice also includes:
- Corporate and business law
- Creditor representation in insolvency matters
- Computer law
- Commercial litigation
- Representation of non-U.S. persons in connection with investments in the United States
Professional and Community Organizations
Cohen serves as the chair of the Rules Committee of on the Board of Legal Specialization and Education (BLSE) of The Florida Bar. BLSE has general jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the administration of the board certification plan of The Florida Bar, the continuing legal education requirement, and the basic skills course requirement under Bar rules.
Previously, Cohen served for six years on the Real Estate Certification Committee (chair during 2003-04), which deals with the evaluation and testing of Florida attorneys seeking recognition as Florida board certified real estate lawyers.
His other professional and community activities include:
- Member of the Construction Law and Real Property Law Committees of the Broward County Bar Association
- Member of the Construction Law Committee (and its Green Building Subcommittee) of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar
- Law officer of the Fort Lauderdale Power Squadron, a unit of the U.S. Power Squadron, a civic organization dedicated to boating safety and education
- Fleet captain and former commodore of the Southeast Florida Yacht Club
Professional Articles and Speaking Engagements
- “The Law of Real Estate Titles” (National Business Institute, February 2008)
- “Ethical Considerations in Real Estate Closings” (National Business Institute, March 2008)
- “Obtaining Access to Real Property –The Right to Use the Road” (National Business Institute, 2001)
- “Selling Real Property Without Getting Taken to The Cleaners –What are the Environmental Risks?” (National Business Institute, 1993)
- Reviser, “Legal Forms and Worksheets, Conveyancing” (Young Lawyers' Section, The Florida Bar, 1982)
Howard can be reached by email at hac@atkinson-diner.com.