Biography

Stuart L. Cohen is the Managing Partner in the Miami office and primarily represents clients in the areas of environmental and toxic torts, premises liability, automobile liability, professional liability and products liability. Serving as regional lead trial counsel for several clients in the defense of toxic tort claims relating to asbestos and all myriad of exposures comprises the most significant part of Stu’s practice. He represents the manufactures of asbestos-containing products, and products containing silica in cases involving claims of significant injury and death. Stu’s practice includes the defense of products liability claims. He represents companies that manufacture gaskets, packings, brake grinders, pumps, boilers, and other industrial equipment. Outside of the courtroom, Stu frequently speaks at seminars on topics and issues related to the litigation of asbestos claims. Stu also handles construction defect, first party property and home owners and condo association matters.

In his professional liability practice, Stu represents a variety of professionals with particular emphasis on insurance agents and brokers, real estate professionals, and securities brokers and broker-dealers. He has defended cases involving allegations of negligence, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, failure to procure insurance, failure to be licensed, and other common law and statutory claims. Defending brokers and broker-dealer in securities arbitration proceedings with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is also a part of Stu’s practice. His representation of professionals in the securities field includes defending against claims of account-churning, suitability, violations of “Blue-Sky Laws,” and other state and federal claims arising from the relationship between securities brokers and their clients, as well as licensing issues.

Stu is the practice chair of the COVID-19 team defending businesses and insurers facing lawsuits from COVID related exposures. Stu also handles claims involving failure to maintain the premises in a safe condition by failing to protect invitees from contracting COVID-19. Stu’s group specializes in defending a diverse group of business professionals in claims and suits alleging errors and omissions, malpractice and professional negligence who are facing liability and potential licensing risks in relation to the coronavirus. Stu assists Insurance agents, brokers, and underwriters with allegations of failure to warn customers that policies did not include Pandemic or “Government Shutdown” coverage and E&O claims alleging adequate coverage for policyholders was not obtained. 

Stu is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the United States District Courts of Florida in the Middle District and in the Southern District, including the Trial Bar. He is a member of The Florida Bar, and he has served as the Chair of the Grievance Committee for the 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County. He also is a member of the American Bar Association and the Dade-County Bar Association.

Practice Areas

Practice Areas

• Auto & Fleet Liability
• Construction Defect
• COVID-19
• Directors & Officers
• Environmental | Toxic Tort
• First Party Property
• General Liability
• Home Owners Association and Condo Association
• Premises Liability
• Professional Liability | E&O
• Product Liability
• Roadway Construction
• Trucking Liability

Experience

Martindale Rating

• AV® Preeminent^TM

Bar/Court Admission

• 1992, Florida.
• 1994, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida.
• 2003, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida.
• 2008, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida.
• 2007, U.S. Supreme Court.

Education

• City University of New York, Queens College, B.A., 1988.
• Nova Southeastern University School of Law, J.D., 1991.

Industries Represented

Verdicts

Verdicts

Presentations

Presentations and Speaking Engagements

Publications

Articles