- Defeated an application for a temporary restraining order on behalf of a South American republic regarding the restructuring of its external debt. (S.D.N.Y.).
- Won dismissal of a RICO complaint against a European-based real estate development company (S.D.N.Y.); successfully argued the appeal. (2d Cir.).
- Lead trial counsel for a former hedge fund partner in high-profile litigation involving claims for breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud, conspiracy, and mail and wire fraud. (S.D.N.Y.).
- Recovered millions of dollars in restitution from a former executive of a Fortune 1000 company who pled guilty to securities crimes.
- Lead trial counsel and court-assigned liaison counsel for a publicly traded international audit and certification services company in a RICO action involving multiple corporate defendants. (D.P.R.).
- Lead trial counsel in multidistrict litigation pending in Texas state court on behalf of a French licensing and inspection firm defending claims of negligence arising from fires at a chemical plant in Crosby, TX, following Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
- Lead trial counsel in securing the dismissal of defamation claims against a European publicly traded real estate development company, and successfully argued the follow-up appeal.
- Key member of the trial team in the lone post-financial crisis mortgage trial brought by the DOJ on behalf of the former chief operating officer of a multinational bank and its mortgage arm, including securing reversal of jury verdict. (S.D.N.Y., 2d Cir.).
- Phone: +1 212 905 9035
- Email: seth.cohen@alston.com
Seth M. Cohen is a nationally recognized litigator and trial lawyer with deep experience across a variety of complex commercial litigation matters in federal and state trial and appellate courts. His experience spans breach of contract and fiduciary duty, fraud, government and regulatory investigations, product liability, insurance recovery, and entertainment industry litigation. Seth’s practice also includes representing companies in post-closing M&A litigation, including cases involving alleged breaches of reps and warranties, fraud, purchase price adjustments, and indemnification claims.
Seth routinely represents clients in RICO class actions, including currently defending the U.S. subsidiary of a global licensing and inspections firm against RICO fraud claims arising out of the Puerto Rico Power Authority's fuel procurement practices.
Before entering the legal profession, Seth served as an associate producer at ABC News in New York and as a writer for MTV and VH-1.
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Press Release December 23, 2024Alston & Bird Represents Professor in Pro Bono Antisemitism Lawsuit Against Hunter CollegeAlston & Bird partnered with Lawfare to file a lawsuit, on behalf of the school’s chair of its Jewish Studies department, against CUNY Hunter College for failing to take appropriate action to address antisemitism on campus. The suit, filed on behalf of The Chair in Jewish Studies and Director of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at Hunter College describes a campus engulfed by vitriolic protests and antisemitic materials, creating an environment where Plaintiff felt compelled to hide her Jewish identity. The lawsuit was covered by The New York Post.Press Release December 23, 2024Alston & Bird Represents Professor in Pro Bono Antisemitism Lawsuit Against Hunter CollegeAlston & Bird partnered with Lawfare to file a lawsuit, on behalf of the school’s chair of its Jewish Studies department, against CUNY Hunter College for failing to take appropriate action to address antisemitism on campus. The suit, filed on behalf of The Chair in Jewish Studies and Director of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at Hunter College describes a campus engulfed by vitriolic protests and antisemitic materials, creating an environment where Plaintiff felt compelled to hide her Jewish identity. The lawsuit was covered by The New York Post.
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In the News December 12, 2024Law360 | Recent M&A Surge Signals Boon in Reps & Warranties MarketSeth Cohen is quoted on how a boom in mergers and acquisitions may affect insurers’ representations and warranties policies.In the News December 12, 2024Law360 | Recent M&A Surge Signals Boon in Reps & Warranties MarketSeth Cohen is quoted on how a boom in mergers and acquisitions may affect insurers’ representations and warranties policies.
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General Publications September 20, 2024“Courts Remain Skeptical of Lawyers’ Use of ChatGPT in Litigation,” Bloomberg Law, September 20, 2024This article explores decisions in the courts about generative AI, and how attorneys can prepare if they are using the technology.General Publications September 20, 2024“Courts Remain Skeptical of Lawyers’ Use of ChatGPT in Litigation,” Bloomberg Law, September 20, 2024This article explores decisions in the courts about generative AI, and how attorneys can prepare if they are using the technology.
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Press Release May 9, 2024Alston & Bird Adds Trial Lawyer Scott SchirickAlston & Bird has enhanced its Litigation & Trial Practice Group with the addition of partner Scott Schirick, resident in the New York office. Scott focuses on complex federal and state litigation, securities enforcement and regulatory investigations, and white-collar criminal defense matters.Press Release May 9, 2024Alston & Bird Adds Trial Lawyer Scott SchirickAlston & Bird has enhanced its Litigation & Trial Practice Group with the addition of partner Scott Schirick, resident in the New York office. Scott focuses on complex federal and state litigation, securities enforcement and regulatory investigations, and white-collar criminal defense matters.
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Press Release April 17, 2024Alston & Bird Expands Insurance Litigation & Regulation Team with Key New York State Department of Financial Services OfficialAlston & Bird has enhanced its Litigation & Trial Practice Group and Insurance Litigation & Regulation Team with the addition of Mona Bhalla as a partner in the firm’s New York office. With extensive experience in insurance, financial services regulation, and management of strategic transactions, Mona helps clients consummate deals and achieve their overall business objectives.Press Release April 17, 2024Alston & Bird Expands Insurance Litigation & Regulation Team with Key New York State Department of Financial Services OfficialAlston & Bird has enhanced its Litigation & Trial Practice Group and Insurance Litigation & Regulation Team with the addition of Mona Bhalla as a partner in the firm’s New York office. With extensive experience in insurance, financial services regulation, and management of strategic transactions, Mona helps clients consummate deals and achieve their overall business objectives.
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Press Release August 9, 2023Alston & Bird Adds Three Elite New York Commercial Litigation PartnersAlston & Bird has added seasoned trial lawyers and commercial litigators Michael C. Hefter, Seth M. Cohen, and Ryan Philp as partners in the Litigation & Trial Practice Group, resident in the New York office.Press Release August 9, 2023Alston & Bird Adds Three Elite New York Commercial Litigation PartnersAlston & Bird has added seasoned trial lawyers and commercial litigators Michael C. Hefter, Seth M. Cohen, and Ryan Philp as partners in the Litigation & Trial Practice Group, resident in the New York office.
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In the News August 9, 2023Bloomberg Law | Alston & Bird Adds Three Partners to Litigation, Trial PracticeMichael Hefter, Seth Cohen, and Ryan Philp are noted for joining Alston & Bird.In the News August 9, 2023Bloomberg Law | Alston & Bird Adds Three Partners to Litigation, Trial PracticeMichael Hefter, Seth Cohen, and Ryan Philp are noted for joining Alston & Bird.
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In the News August 9, 2023Law360 | Alston & Bird Takes In Trio of Hogan Lovells Litigators in NYMichael Hefter, Seth Cohen, and Ryan Philp are noted for joining Alston & Bird.In the News August 9, 2023Law360 | Alston & Bird Takes In Trio of Hogan Lovells Litigators in NYMichael Hefter, Seth Cohen, and Ryan Philp are noted for joining Alston & Bird.
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In the News August 9, 2023New York Law Journal | Hogan Lovells Partner Trio Jumps to Alston’s Litigation TeamMichael Hefter, Seth Cohen, and Ryan Philp are noted for joining Alston & Bird.In the News August 9, 2023New York Law Journal | Hogan Lovells Partner Trio Jumps to Alston’s Litigation TeamMichael Hefter, Seth Cohen, and Ryan Philp are noted for joining Alston & Bird.
Bar Admissions
- New York
Education
- Emory University (J.D., 2005)
- Cornell University (B.A., 1999)