Introduction
Cohen & Marzban Law Corporation is a private legal services firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Established in the early 1970s, the firm has grown to operate multiple offices across the United States and offers a broad array of legal services to corporate, governmental, and individual clients. Its practice areas encompass corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, real estate, family law, and environmental law, among others. The firm is recognized for its rigorous approach to legal research, client advocacy, and a commitment to pro bono work and community engagement.
History and Background
Founding
The firm was founded in 1972 by two prominent attorneys, Michael Cohen, a seasoned corporate litigator, and Rebecca Marzban, an emerging specialist in environmental regulation. Both had previously practiced at major Chicago firms, where they developed complementary skill sets and a shared vision for a practice that balanced business acumen with public interest concerns. Their partnership was formalized as Cohen & Marzban, Law Offices, and the company began by serving mid‑size manufacturing companies in the Midwest.
Early Years
During the 1970s and 1980s, the firm focused on corporate compliance and product liability litigation. The early client base included regional manufacturers, distributors, and agricultural cooperatives. By 1985, Cohen & Marzban had secured a reputation for efficient dispute resolution and a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape governing consumer products. The firm’s growth was largely organic, with a gradual expansion of staff and practice areas.
Expansion
In the 1990s, the firm opened its first satellite office in Houston, Texas, to capture the growing energy sector market. The Houston office specialized in energy law, including oil and gas exploration and renewable energy development. The expansion was followed by the establishment of an office in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000, which catered to the Southern business community and expanded the firm’s corporate services into telecommunications and finance.
Recent Developments
Entering the 21st century, Cohen & Marzban integrated technology-driven legal solutions, including e‑discovery platforms and AI‑assisted research tools. In 2015, the firm acquired a boutique intellectual property practice based in Boston, enhancing its national reach in patent and trademark litigation. By 2020, the firm had formalized its pro bono program, offering legal services to underserved communities and NGOs. In 2022, Cohen & Marzban announced a partnership with a fintech startup to develop blockchain‑based contract management systems for corporate clients.
Practice Areas
Corporate and Commercial Law
The firm’s corporate practice provides advisory services on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, securities regulation, and shareholder disputes. The team assists companies of all sizes, from start‑ups to Fortune 500 firms, in structuring transactions, drafting agreements, and managing regulatory compliance. The practice is supported by an in‑house compliance officer who monitors changes in federal and state corporate statutes.
Litigation
Litigation services cover civil disputes, commercial litigation, antitrust matters, and class actions. Attorneys from this practice manage cases in federal, state, and administrative courts. The firm’s litigation team has a track record of securing favorable settlements and verdicts, often employing alternative dispute resolution methods to reduce litigation costs for clients.
Intellectual Property
Specializing in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, the IP practice handles applications, oppositions, infringement litigation, and licensing agreements. The acquisition of a Boston‑based IP boutique in 2015 significantly expanded the firm’s technical expertise, allowing it to serve clients in technology, biotechnology, and consumer electronics sectors.
Real Estate
Real estate services include transactional support for acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and development. The practice also manages landlord–tenant disputes and real estate litigation. Cohen & Marzban has represented both commercial developers and institutional investors in high‑profile projects across the United States.
Family Law
The family law practice offers counsel on divorce, child custody, alimony, and property division. While smaller than the firm’s corporate services, this practice is notable for its emphasis on mediation and collaborative law to achieve amicable resolutions for clients.
Environmental Law
Rooted in its founding partnership, the environmental practice handles regulatory compliance, permitting, and litigation involving the Environmental Protection Agency, state environmental agencies, and other governmental bodies. The firm advises clients in the energy, manufacturing, and transportation sectors on pollution control, hazardous waste management, and renewable energy incentives.
Other Practices
- Bankruptcy and Restructuring
- Employment and Labor Law
- Healthcare Law
- Immigration Law
Key Personnel
Partners
The firm’s senior leadership consists of a partnership of approximately thirty attorneys. Key partners include: Michael Cohen, Senior Managing Partner; Rebecca Marzban, Senior Litigation Partner; and Daniel Kim, Corporate Governance Partner. Each partner heads a practice area and oversees client relations, business development, and staff mentorship.
Senior Associates
Senior associates form the core of the firm’s legal workforce, typically possessing five to ten years of experience. They lead cases, draft pleadings, and collaborate closely with partners on strategy. Senior associates are eligible for partnership consideration after a rigorous performance evaluation process.
Support Staff
In addition to attorneys, the firm employs a team of paralegals, legal assistants, compliance specialists, and administrative staff. The firm also maintains a dedicated in‑house legal technology team that develops and maintains the firm’s case management and document automation systems.
Notable Cases and Achievements
Energy Sector Litigation (2003)
Cohen & Marzban represented a mid‑size oil company in a regulatory dispute over well‑permit approvals. The case resulted in a settlement that allowed the company to proceed with drilling while implementing enhanced environmental safeguards. The firm’s work in this case was cited in a federal court opinion as a precedent for balancing commercial interests with environmental protection.
Patent Infringement Victory (2012)
Representing a biotechnology start‑up, the firm successfully defended a patent infringement claim against a larger competitor. The court awarded damages and granted the start‑up exclusive licensing rights, thereby securing a critical competitive advantage. The case has since been cited in industry white papers discussing patent strategy.
Pro Bono Litigation Fund (2018)
Establishing a pro bono litigation fund, the firm allocated 10% of its annual billing to defend low‑income families in domestic violence and child custody cases. Over five years, the fund has provided legal representation to more than 400 families, resulting in favorable outcomes in 92% of cases.
Corporate Structure and Governance
Ownership
Cohen & Marzban Law Corporation is a privately held professional corporation. Ownership is distributed among the senior partners and a group of long‑term associates who have met the partnership admission criteria. The ownership structure includes a profit‑sharing arrangement that aligns compensation with firm performance.
Management
The firm is governed by a Board of Partners, which meets quarterly to set strategic objectives, approve budgets, and oversee risk management. Day‑to‑day operations are handled by a Managing Partner and a Chief Operating Officer, who coordinate with practice‑group chairs.
Policies
Key policies include a code of ethics that emphasizes confidentiality, conflict‑of‑interest avoidance, and compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory standards. The firm also enforces a robust data‑security policy to protect client information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and U.S. privacy statutes.
Office Locations
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois – The main office houses the firm’s corporate services, litigation, and intellectual property practices. It also contains the central legal technology hub and the administrative headquarters.
Regional Offices
- Houston, Texas – Focuses on energy law and corporate services.
- Atlanta, Georgia – Serves the Southern business community with corporate, real estate, and family law services.
- Boston, Massachusetts – Home to the intellectual property practice and a key research and development center.
International Presence
The firm maintains a liaison office in London, United Kingdom, to manage cross‑border transactions and disputes involving U.S. clients. While the London office operates as an extension rather than a full practice group, it provides critical support for international litigation and compliance matters.
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
- American Bar Association – Member since 1974.
- Illinois State Bar Association – Affiliate member.
- Chicago Bar Association – Active member with regular participation in committees.
- International Bar Association – Affiliate member, enabling cross‑border collaboration.
- National Association of Legal Professionals – Member, supporting the firm’s pro bono initiatives.
Community Involvement and Pro Bono Work
Outreach Programs
The firm sponsors a “Legal Clinic” program in partnership with local community colleges, offering free legal consultations to low‑income residents in the Chicago area. The clinic is staffed by senior associates and paralegals, and covers matters such as landlord‑tenant disputes, immigration, and family law.
Charitable Partnerships
Cohen & Marzban has partnered with several non‑profit organizations, including the Chicago Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and the Illinois Environmental Advocacy Group. These collaborations focus on providing legal assistance, advocacy training, and fundraising support.
Pro Bono Hours Commitment
Each attorney is required to contribute a minimum of 20 pro bono hours annually, with additional voluntary hours for those who wish to exceed the requirement. The firm tracks pro bono contributions through an internal dashboard and recognizes outstanding service at its annual partnership meeting.
Education and Training
Internship Programs
Every summer, the firm hosts a 10‑week internship program for law students from accredited universities. Interns participate in case research, drafting, and client meetings, gaining exposure to a variety of practice areas. The firm also offers a mentorship program for interns, pairing them with senior attorneys for career development.
Continuing Legal Education
Cohen & Marzban sponsors internal CLE seminars on emerging legal topics such as cybersecurity law, blockchain regulation, and climate‑change litigation. The firm also pays the attendance fees for attorneys who attend external conferences and webinars to maintain their legal knowledge.
Financial Performance and Client Base
Revenue
In the fiscal year 2021, the firm reported a gross revenue of approximately $45 million. Revenue growth over the past decade has averaged 8% annually, driven by expanded corporate services, technology‑enabled legal solutions, and the integration of the Boston intellectual property boutique.
Client Demographics
The firm’s client base is diversified across industry sectors: manufacturing (25%), energy (15%), technology (12%), financial services (10%), healthcare (8%), and small‑to‑mid‑size businesses (20%). A substantial portion of clients are located in the Midwest and Southern United States, though the firm maintains a growing national presence.
Reputation and Rankings
Industry Rankings
In 2023, the firm was ranked within the top 50 law firms in the United States for corporate litigation by a leading legal publication. The intellectual property practice earned a spot in the top 30 firms for patent litigation. The firm also appears on the “Best Law Firms for Pro Bono” list in multiple states.
Client Feedback
Client satisfaction surveys conducted annually indicate an overall satisfaction rate of 92%, with particular praise for the firm’s responsiveness, depth of legal expertise, and personalized client service. The firm maintains a client portal that allows real‑time case updates and communication with attorneys.
Challenges and Controversies
Regulatory Scrutiny (2016)
In 2016, the firm faced an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the handling of a securities fraud case. An internal audit concluded that the firm complied with all legal and ethical obligations, and no penalties were imposed.
Conflict of Interest Issue (2019)
A former associate reported a potential conflict of interest involving a client in a pending antitrust case. The firm promptly instituted a conflict‑of‑interest review, reallocated the matter to an independent attorney, and publicly acknowledged the oversight. No adverse outcomes resulted from the adjustment.
Work‑Life Balance Criticisms (2020)
Employee surveys in 2020 revealed concerns about long working hours and burnout. In response, the firm introduced flexible work arrangements, mandatory vacation policies, and wellness programs to address the issue.
Future Directions
Strategic Plans
The firm’s five‑year strategic plan emphasizes expansion into emerging markets such as renewable energy law, data privacy, and artificial intelligence regulation. It also prioritizes the development of a dedicated technology legal services team to serve clients in the fintech and cybersecurity sectors.
Technological Integration
Cohen & Marzban is investing in artificial intelligence tools for document review, predictive analytics for litigation outcomes, and secure client communication platforms. The firm also plans to pilot a blockchain‑based document notarization system for corporate contracts.
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