Stephan S. Cohn

A shareholder at Berger Kahn, Stephan S. Cohn’s practice is concentrated in the areas of insurance, business, real estate, and community association law. He routinely litigates business torts, real estate issues, environmental-toxic torts, and insurance matters. In addition, he regularly counsels insurers regarding fair claim practices and claim investigations and directors and officers in the enforcement of governing documents and other day-to-day operational matters.

Steve has represented insurers, directors and officers of corporations, and homeowners associations in a wide range of issues. In the insurance context, he has been involved in claims arising from homeowners’, commercial, and automobile insurance policies. Further, he has advised insurers regarding the handling of suspect claims, including fraud. He also routinely handles cases involving environmental pollution and water intrusion issues.

Steve has significant experience litigating third-party and general liability claims and first-party bad faith matters and has taken and defended hundreds of depositions, including high-level insurance executives and bad faith experts. His expertise has garnered Steve recognition to the list of 2016-present Best Lawyers in America, in addition to the 2013-present Southern California Super Lawyers, honors reserved for the top 3-5% of the Bar.

Some of the matters Steve has handled recently are:

  • Handling suspected fraudulent claims for commercial, property, and automobile cases; business interruption cases; arson and general coverage questions;
  • Counseling insurers regarding fair claim practices and claim investigations;
  • Asserting and defending liability and injury claims;
  • Counseling directors and officers of corporations regarding compliance issues;
  • Construction defect and water intrusion cases;
  • Employment matters;
  • Homeowner association disputes;
  • Contractual disputes; and
  • Managing all aspects of case preparation for trial, including arbitration.

Steve has lectured to business and insurance groups on topics such as directors’ and officers’ liability, good faith claims handling, and torts, and has been a course instructor on Evidence for the University of California at Irvine Extension Program Course Instructor at University of California Irvine.

He lives with his wife and two children in Laguna Beach.

University of San Diego (JD, 1985)
University of California, Berkeley (BA, 1981)
California
U.S. District Court, Central, Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Orange County Bar Association
Orange County Insurance Defense Association
Orange County Regional Chapter of the Community Associations Institute
Shareholder Stephan Cohn Named 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law in Orange County
Best Lawyers – August 18, 2022

Best Lawyers in America Names Berger Kahn Attorneys to 2023 List, Including Managing Partner Craig Simon, Shareholders Sherman Spitz, Stephan Cohn, David Ezra, and Partner Roberta Winston
Best Lawyers – August 18, 2022

Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to Top Lists of Southern California Super Lawyers 2022
Super Lawyers – January 20, 2022

Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America 2022 List Including Managing Partner Craig Simon and Shareholders Sherman Spitz, Stephan Cohn and David Ezra
Best Lawyers – August 19, 2021

Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers in America 2021 Lists Including Managing Partner Craig Simon and Shareholders Sherman Spitz, Stephan Cohn and David Ezra
Best Lawyers – February 17, 2021

Shareholder Stephan Cohn Voted the 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law in Orange County
Best Lawyers – February 17, 2021

Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to Top Lists of Southern California and San Diego Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers – January 21, 2021

Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the 2020 List of Southern California Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers – January 15, 2020

Managing Partner Craig Simon and Shareholders Sherman Spitz, Stephan Cohn and David Ezra Recognized by Best Lawyers in America to 2021 Best Lawyers in America List
Best Lawyers – August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers in America Recognizes Berger Kahn Managing Partner Craig Simon and Shareholders Sherman Spitz, Stephan Cohn and David Ezra to 2020 Best Lawyers in America List
Best Lawyers – August 14, 2019

Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to “Top 100” “Orange County Top 50” and “Up-and-Coming” Lists of Southern California and San Diego Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers – August 2, 2019

Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the 2019 List of Southern California Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers – January 30, 2019

Best Lawyers 2019 Recognizes Managing Partner Craig Simon, Shareholders Sherman Spitz, David Ezra, and Stephan Cohn
Best Lawyers – August 15, 2018

Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Southern California Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers – January 30, 2018

Best Lawyers in America Recognizes Berger Kahn Managing Partner Craig Simon and Shareholders Sherman Spitz, Stephan Cohn and David Ezra in 2018
Best Lawyer – July 15, 2017

Orange County Attorney Journal Features All Berger Kahn Shareholders for Inclusion in Super Lawyers Business Edition
Attorney Journal – February 20, 2017

Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Southern California Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers – January 20, 2017

All Berger Kahn Shareholders Featured in 2016 Super Lawyers Business Edition
Super Lawyers – November 23, 2016

Attorney Journal Features Shareholders Steve Cohn and Dave Ezra for Best Lawyers Recognition
O.C. Attorney Journal – November 1, 2016

Legal Aid Society Features Shareholder Stephan Cohn in Examinations Under Oath MCLE Presentation – May 3
Legal Aid Society – April 26, 2016

Shareholder Stephan Cohn Featured as Speaker to Special Investigations Unit at Major Carrier
Berger Kahn – March 14, 2016

O.C. Bar Association Commends Berger Kahn For Recognition to Super Lawyers Including Elite “Top 100 Southern California” and “Top 50 OC” Lists
O.C. Bar Association – March 14, 2016

Eight Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Southern California Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers – January 20, 2016

Nine Berger Kahn Partners Featured in Super Lawyers Business Edition
Super Lawyers – November 23, 2015

Los Angeles Times Features Berger Kahn Attorneys in List of “Top Rated Attorneys”
Los Angeles Times – October 14, 2015

Stephan Cohn and Dave Ezra of Berger Kahn Highlighted By O.C. Attorney Journal Magazine For Honors By Best Lawyers In America 2016
O.C. Attorney Journal – October 14, 2015

Best Lawyers in America Recognizes Berger Kahn Shareholders to 2016 List
Best Lawyers of America – August 17, 2015

O.C. Bar Association Commends Berger Kahn Attorneys for Selection to Super Lawyers “Top” Lists
O.C. Bar Association – June 11, 2015

Principal Stephan Cohn Featured in Orange County Attorney Journal
O.C. Attorney Journal – April 1, 2015

Attorney Journal Features Principal Stephan Cohn and Partner Steven Gentry for Recognition to the List of Southern California Super Lawyers 2015
O.C. Attorney Journal – March 11, 2015

Nine Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Southern California Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers – January 21, 2015

Berger Kahn Celebrates 45th Anniversary as a Unique California Law Firm
January 2, 2015

Eight Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Southern California Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers – January 17, 2014

"Attorneys Pitch in During the Holidays” features Berger Kahn’s Charitable Efforts
Daily Journal – December 30, 2013

Six Berger Kahn Attorneys Named to the List of Super Lawyers With Top Honors in the Lists of “Southern California Top 100” and “Orange County Top 50”
Super Lawyers Magazine – January 21, 2013

Legal Aid Society – Orange County
Let’s Talk About…Examinations Under Oath May 3, 2016

Major Insurance Carrier – Special Investigations Unit
Taking Effective Recorded Statements, Contractual Limitation Periods and Policy Defenses March 28, 2016

Berger Kahn Supports Project Youth’s 7th Annual Brewfest Event
On June 28, 2019, Berger Kahn attended Project Youth’s 7th annual rooftop Brewfest fundraiser.

Berger Kahn Supports Arts, Access to Justice and Safer Children and Families
In the effort to support the community, Berger Kahn has been able to give in-kind donations to nonprofit partners who make our community strong.