Michael P.A. Cohen - Lawyer in Washington, DC

Michael began his career as an Assistant Special Prosecutor, investigating and prosecuting organized crime involvement with the failure of local financial institutions in the early 1990s. After his government service, Michael joined the historic Washington, D.C. antitrust firm Howrey Simon, where in 1996, he became one of the youngest partners in that unique firms history. In 2003, Michael joined Heller Ehrman as a partner in Washington, D.C., where he helped develop and grow the firms federal government antitrust merger defense practice. When Heller Ehrman ceased operations in 2008, Michael joined Paul Hastings as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office, where he founded, built and chaired that highly regarded firms international competition practice group for seven years.

In 2015, Michael joined Sheppard Mullins storied antitrust practice with a goal of putting his 25 years experience to work to complement the firms longstanding antitrust litigation group, helping to bridge government antitrust enforcement in Washington, D.C. to the firms strengths in Brussels, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Over his legal career now spanning more than 30 years, Michael practices all dimensions of competition law, defending multinational clients without borders across continents in business conduct and merger clearance investigations throughout the world's global markets. He is among a short list of lawyers who have successfully defended multiple mergers through trial and appeal in the U.S., including serving as co-lead counsel to Western Refining in its $1.4 billion acquisition of Giant Industries, which proceeded from complaint through trial in 21 days and through appeal in less than 14 days. Michael was also a core partner on the trial team that successfully defended the H.J. Heinz Companys acquisition of BeechNuts baby food business in the federal trial court, until reversed on appeal? a case and decision that has been widely assessed and discussed since.

Michael's practice includes concentrated representation of clients in the high tech, software, computer system, oil and gas, heavy manufacturing, food processing, beverage, broadcast, digital media, transportation and healthcare industries. In addition, he has pioneered a novel trade regulation practice area bridging environmental organizations and stakeholders with industry in sustainability joint ventures. Chambers USA noted that Michael is well known for trying high-stakes merger cases as well as other civil and criminal antitrust litigation. His client base is strong and varied and includes publishing, technology and healthcare companies. Clients describe him as ?a wonderful partner."

From 2015-2017, Michael hosted the VoiceAmerica network International Crossroads segment of On the Law, a syndicated radio broadcast reaching more than 1,100 stations across the world (including more than 300 across the U.S.). Listeners can stream, download or subscribe to Michaels International Crossroads show here.

Michael currently hosts the Sheppard Mullin podcast Nota Bene, a weekly series covering the cutting-edge and ever-changing legal issues affecting multinationals doing business without borders. Listeners can subscribe, download and listen to all podcasts here. He previously hosted the Sheppard Mullin monthly Breakfast with Europe webcast, which can be found here.

In addition, Michael currently serves as an adjunct professor to Washington Lee University School of Law, teaching International Comparative Competition Law. He also serves on the faculty to the Monterey College of Law, where he has taught Constitutional Law, Business Organizations and the Heisler Advocacy Clinic.

Michaels Twitter handle is @mpacohen.