Jonathan M. Cohen

ATTORNEY

We are especially pleased to announce the arrival of Mr. Jonathan Cohen, as the third member of our dedicated legal team. A seasoned courtroom veteran, Mr. Cohen joined our firm in June of 2019, after years of dedicated public service, and a short break from practicing law in order to help raise his two children.

A gifted defense advocate, Mr. Cohen entered the practice of law from the most interesting background. Raised in a family of college professors, Jon began his academic career with an admission to the University of Indiana, where he initially studied to be a classical musician, only to discover a passion for studying foreign languages, and graduated with a degree in Spanish language and literature. Mr. Cohen then attended law school at the DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, IL, where he excelled in his legal studies, graduating in the top 10% of his class, and attaining membership in the prestigious Order of the Coif, in recognition of his academic excellence.

Contact the Law Offices of William V. Pernik for your free consultation.

Post-Education

After graduating law school, Mr. Cohen took and passed the Bar exam in Illinois, Alabama, and California, and practiced criminal defense in all three jurisdictions, both in the private sector, and in public defender offices, giving him a particularly broad appreciation for the great diversity of styles and approaches to the most effective legal advocacy. It was during his tenure at the Monterey County Public Defender’s Office that Mr. Cohen and Mr. Pernik met and became courtroom partners, forging a relationship of trust and respect, built upon a foundation of zealous and passionate advocacy for their clients.

Throughout his career, Mr. Cohen has defended hundreds of clients charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses, including DUI, assault, child abuse and neglect, resisting arrest, domestic violence, weapon and drug charges, gang crime, and manslaughter. He secured acquittals or dismissals in many such cases, and has acquired a reputation for excellence among his peers, opponents, and judges alike.

Working together with Mr. Pernik and Mr. Soltesz, Mr. Cohen looks forward to demonstrating his career-long commitment to excellent and individualized representation of his clients on behalf of our firm. He is particularly passionate about expanding access to quality representation to members of our Spanish-speaking community. He resides in Santa Clara County with his wife and two children.