Atty. Michael J. Cohen

Atty. Michael J. Cohen

Shareholder Michael J. Cohen has more than 25 years of experience in complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts.

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Profile Summary

About Michael J. Cohen at a glance

Michael J. Cohen is a business, litigation, environmental, insurance, and appellate attorney based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, practicing at Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols SC. Admitted to practice in Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin. Educated at Marquette University (J.D., 1986) and University of Wisconsin–Madison (BA, 1983). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Bet-the-Company Litigation (Milwaukee) (2026), Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Insurance (Milwaukee) (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026). Serands clients in Milwaukee, WI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Shareholder Michael J. Cohen has more than 25 years of experience in complex commercial litigation in federal and state courts
  • His proven record of numerous favorable verdicts at the trial and appellate levels has earned him a reputation as one of Wisconsin’s preeminent business litigators
  • For many years, Mike has been recognized by members of the Wisconsin bar and judiciary as one of the top lawyers in the state
  • Mike concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation including non-compete and other restrictive covenants, breach of contract, business torts, shareholder disputes and employment
  • environmental and toxic tort litigation
  • and on complex insurance coverage litigation, including environmental and asbestos liabilities and bad faith claims
  • He has been involved in some of the most significant complex insurance coverage matters in Wisconsin and other surrounding states over the two decades

Practice Areas Explained

Michael J. Cohen's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael J. Cohen handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Michael J. Cohen is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Wisconsin →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Michael J. Cohen is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Wisconsin →

Environmental Law

Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.

Michael J. Cohen is one of 56,434 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Wisconsin →

Insurance Law

Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.

Michael J. Cohen is one of 121,912 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in Wisconsin →

Appellate Practice

Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.

Michael J. Cohen is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Wisconsin →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Wisconsin

Practicing law in Wisconsin. Legal matters in Wisconsin are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Milwaukee are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Wisconsin state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Wisconsin brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Wisconsin courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Wisconsin attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Milwaukee or all attorneys in Wisconsin.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Michael J. Cohen

Where is Michael J. Cohen's law office located?
Michael J. Cohen's law practice is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm is Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols SC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Michael J. Cohen handle?
Michael J. Cohen focuses on business, litigation, environmental, insurance, appellate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Wisconsin.
Where did Michael J. Cohen go to law school?
Michael J. Cohen earned their education at (J.D., 1986); (BA, 1983).
How can I contact Michael J. Cohen for a consultation?
You can contact Michael J. Cohen directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Michael J. Cohen received?
Michael J. Cohen's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Bet-the-Company Litigation (Milwaukee); Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Insurance (Milwaukee); Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice; Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation.

Education

J.D.
Marquette University
- 1986
BA
University of Wisconsin–Madison
- 1983

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Bet-the-Company Litigation (Milwaukee)
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Insurance (Milwaukee)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Insurance Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Insurance
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Milwaukee Bar Association Distinguished Service Award Winner (2022)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Wisconsin Super Lawyers (2006 - 2021)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 25 Lawyers in Milwaukee (2011 - 2021)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 50 Wisconsin Super Lawyers (2008 - 2021)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Best Lawyers in America (2010 - 2022)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Milwaukee Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year (2014)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Leaders in the Law (2011)
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Insurance (Milwaukee)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Environmental (Milwaukee)
- 2023
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Insurance (Milwaukee)
- 2020
Lawyer of the Year — Insurance Law (Milwaukee)
- 2019
Lawyer of the Year — Insurance Law (Milwaukee)
- 2017
Lawyer of the Year — Insurance Law (Milwaukee)
- 2014

Bar Admissions

Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin

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