Gary J. Cohen is a shareholder in the firm’s Litigation and Appellate Sections. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, personal injury, employment matters, municipal, and appellate law. He is recognized by his peers as one of the “Best Lawyers in America”  and a Southwest “Super Lawyer.”  He is also a member of the “Million Dollar Advocates Forum” for having achieved a verdict, award, or settlement of one million dollars or more. Gary has the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards (“AV Preeminent”), and is a member of the “Million Dollar Advocates Forum” for achieving a trial verdict and settlement of more than one million dollars.  Gary has been a Judge Pro Tem since 2004 with the Pima County Superior Court.  He has also been an adjunct law professor for six years at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.

A Tucson native, Gary has practiced law at Mesch Clark Rothschild since graduating from the University of Arizona College of Law 1993. While an undergraduate at Northwestern University, Gary was a four year letterman on the varsity tennis team that won the 1990 Big Ten Conference Title, a two-year member of the NCAA Academic/Athletic All-American Team, and had the highest grade point average of any male athlete in his graduating class.

Gary has presented at numerous seminars about various aspects of employment law, medical malpractice, trial practice, and appellate advocacy. He chaired (2009-2010) the Appellate Practice Section of the State Bar of Arizona. His written articles include “False State The Premature Notice of Appeal”, “An Arizona Lawyer’s Guide through the Morass of the Self-Critical Analysis Privilege” and “Juris Doctrines”, published in the Arizona Attorney, “Voir Dire and Medical Malpractice”, published in Medical Errors and Litigation: Investigation and Case Preparation, and his regular “Tri-ppellate Lawyer” column in The Writ. Gary co-authored a comprehensive Guide for Self-Represented (“Pro Se” or “Pro Per”) Appellants and Appellees, and a chapter in the Arizona Tort Law Handbook.

Gary regularly volunteers his time, and has served the community as an Honorary Commander at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and as a board member of: the Southern Arizona Tennis Association; the Children’s Museum Tucson; The Gootter Foundation; University of Arizona Hillel Foundation; Jewish Family and Children’s Services; the Jewish Community Center; the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Committee; the Tucson City Magistrate Merit Selection Committee; and Pride Tennis. In 2006, Gary was named one of eight “Up and Comers” by Inside Tucson Business, as well as one of the “40 Under 40” leaders by Tucson Business Edge.

Practice Areas

• Commercial Litigation
• Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice
• Appellate Advocacy
• Employment Law
• Municipal Law

Admissions

• Arizona Supreme Court – 1993
• Arizona Courts – 1993
• United States District Court, District of Arizona – 1993
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals – 1997
• United States Supreme Court – 1997
• Colorado Courts – 2002

Education

• University of Arizona College of Law, Tucson, Arizona, Juris Doctor, 1993
• Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, Bachelor of Arts, 1990
• C.A.A. Academic/Athletic All-American Team (1989 and 1990)
  • One of only twenty college tennis players in the nation with a grade point average over 3.5 (4.0 scale) named to this team.
  • Four year letterman and co-captain for two seasons. Led Northwestern to a national ranking of 17 and the 1990 Big Ten Conference Championship.

Organizations

• Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Honorary Commander (starting 2017)
• Southern Arizona Tennis Association Board Member (2016 – present)
• Pima County Sports Hall of Fame, Athlete Inductee (October 2013)
• Children’s Museum Tucson, Board Member (2011 – 2015)
• Southern Arizona Tennis Association, Grievance Committee Chair (2013–present)
• Selective Service System, Arizona Local Board Member (2010-present)
• Northwestern University Men’s Tennis Board of Advisors Member (2008-present)
• Volunteer Judge, Advanced Appellate Advocacy program at The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law (2011, 2012)
• University of Arizona Hillel Foundation, Board Member (2009 – 2010)
• Make-A-Wish Foundation Southern Arizona Wish Advisory Board Roundtable Member (2008-2010)
• Arizona Appellate Practice Institute, Faculty Member (May 2007)
• Steven M. Gootter Foundation, Tennis Event Committee (2006-2012)
• State Bar of Arizona Appellate Practice Section Executive Committee, Secretary (2006); Treasurer (2007); Chair-Elect (2008); Chair (2009)
• Southwest Tennis Section Committee on Diversity (January 2006 – 2008)
• Tucson Fiesta Bowl Committee, Member (2005 – 2008)
• Pride Tennis, Founder (2004-2007)
• Tucson Jewish Community Center, Board Member (2003 – 2009)
• City of Tucson Magistrate Merit Selection Committee, Member (2003 – 2007)
• Maccabi USA, Head Junior Tennis Coach (2000 – 2001)
• City of Tucson Anti-Hate Crime Task Force, Member (1999 – 2000)
• Rancho Lomas Homeowners Association, Director (1998 – 2002)
• Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Board Member (1996 – 2003)
• High School Mock Trial Program, Volunteer Advisor (Spring 1998)