Attorney Michael J. Cohn

Michael J. Cohn continues his white collar criminal defense practice in particular, tax related offenses, as well as clients who need to utilize the IRS voluntary disclosure program to avoid criminal ramifications. He handles all forms of IRS and Wisconsin Department of Revenue collection actions and audits. He has litigated civil tax controversies in Federal Court, the U.S. Tax Court, and the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission.

He also maintains his civil rights practice in both housing and employment discrimination, along with employment issues involving employment and separation agreements and wrongful termination.

Attorney Cohn was selected a “Super Lawyer” by Milwaukee magazine and received The Civil Libertarian of the Year award from the Wisconsin American Civil Liberties Union in 2008. He was listed as a Wisconsin “Top Rated Lawyer” in taxation in the LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell peer reviewed ratings of lawyers in Wisconsin who reached the highest levels of ethical standards and professional services.
Education

Bachelor of Arts-History-UWM 1977

Juris Doctoris-University of Wisconsin-1981
In law school, Attorney Cohn had clinical experience in criminal matters, worked on the Milwaukee Public schools desegregation lawsuit and won the American Jurisprudence Award.

Employment History

Cohn Law Offices – January 1, 2017

Partner – Pledl & Cohn S.C. 2008-2016
Attorney Cohn continues his tax practice both as to civil collection matters and audits by the IRS and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. He helps taxpayers work out payment plans and offers in compromise regarding their outstanding tax liabilities. His work as a trial attorney also involves representing individuals with civil rights claims, employment matters and federal criminal defense as well as various matters in litigation.

Partner – Zetley & Cohn S.C. 1993-2008

Attorney Cohn developed his federal criminal defense practice which emphasized white collar and criminal tax fraud defense. He also handled civil tax matters and tried cases in the United States Tax Court and the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission. In the United States Tax Court, he prevailed at trial against the IRS which, due to his victory, was required to pay his client’s attorney fees. He also won the largest verdict ever in a housing discrmination case in Wisconsin.

Associate Attorney – Sodos & Kafkas S.C. 1989-1993

Continuing his trial practice in the areas of civil rights and criminal defense, Attorney Cohn was again lead counsel in several trials and appeals in both state and federal court.

Associate Attorney – Jacobson, Sodos & Krings S.C. 1985-1989

At Jacobson, Sodos & Krings, S.c. Attorney Cohn was an associate attorney acting as lead counsel in a variety of civil rights and criminal matters. His civil rights practice emphasized housing, employment and public accomodation discrimination. In the area of employment law, he addressed issues of wrongful termination, separation agreements, non-compete agreements and employment contracts.

Associate Attorney – Shellow, Shellow & Glynn S.C. 1982-1985

As an associate at Shellow, Shellow & Glynn, a premier criminal defense firm, Attorney Cohn worked on several high profile cases and wrote criminal appeal briefs to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. In Wisconsin Citizen Action vs. City of Kenosha, he prevailed in the Seventh Circuit guaranteeing the right to engage in political canvasing without undue interference by municipal ordinances.