cohn_lifland_pearlman_herrmann_knope_llp_logo-300x100 Founded in 1924, Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann Knopf LLP is dedicated to the general practice of law at the highest level of professional competence, striving to achieve maximum benefit for its clients in the most efficient and professionally responsible manner.

The firm has a wide ranging litigation practice at both the trial and appellate levels of the federal and New Jersey state court systems, having successfully litigated cases up through and including the United States Supreme Court. The firm regularly handles complex and sophisticated commercial litigation, including class and derivative litigation, in the areas of corporate and securities fraud, lender and accounts’ liability, consumer protection, franchise, anti-trust, qui tam, RICO, employment and intellectual property.

The firm also represents clients in substantial matrimonial actions involving divorce, custody, division of property and support as well as pre- and post- nuptial planning and agreements. Firm members have expertise in chancery and probate litigation as well as both federal and state criminal proceedings. The firm also has a significant tort practice that includes personal injury, medical and legal malpractice, product liability, environmental matters and toxic torts.

The firm regularly represents creditors, debtors and third parties in bankruptcy cases ranging from individual insolvencies to complex reorganizations and related problems.

Its active transactional practice includes business planning, mergers, acquisitions, investments and franchising. The firm offers a broad scope of legal services to its clients in corporate and financial transactions. Its real estate group provides practical knowledge and extensive expertise in the purchase, sale, development and financing of commercial and residential properties, together with land use and environmental regulatory matters.

Many members of the firm are recognized thought-leaders in their particular areas of practice and have written, lectured and taught regularly. Articles authored by firm members have been published in leading legal publications and repeatedly cited in reported decisions including those of the New Jersey Supreme Court. The firm is consulted frequently by other members of the bar throughout the United States and the firm acts as counsel in New Jersey to more than 100 leading law firms and practitioners in the state and beyond.

The firm’s clientele includes many national and international corporations, local and regional companies, the State of New Jersey (which the firm represents in both securities and environmental litigation), government agencies and public and private pension funds as well as individuals from all walks of life, presenting problems requiring a high degree of professional skill and practical counseling. Uniquely, numerous clients have continued to retain the firm for generations.

Above all, the firm takes great pride in the high quality of services rendered and in its steadfast dedication to the diligent representation of the interests of each of its clients.

The firm has been involved either as sole counsel, lead or co-lead counsel, liaison counsel or in which we have otherwise participated substantively to a significant extent in numerous prominent cases, including:

  • In re K-Dur Antitrust Litig., ___ F.3d___, No. 10-2077, 2012 WL 2877662 (3d Cir. June 16, 2012) (rejecting the “scope of patent” test in favor of the “quick look rule of reason analysis for imposing liability on brand and generic companies for restraints of trade accomplished through “reverse payment” or “exclusion” agreements.
  • Aviva Partners LLC, et al. v. Exide Technologies, et al., U.S.D.C., District of New Jersey, 3:05-cv-3098 (MLC/LHG) ($13.7 million settlement on behalf of the class)
  • In re Amerada Hess Corporation Securities Litig., Docket No. 02-03359 (District of New Jersey) ($9 million settlement on behalf of the class)
  • In re: Cambrex Corp. Securities Litig., Docket No. 03-4896 (District of New Jersey) ($3,150,000 settlement on behalf of the class).
  • In re Merck Co. Sec., Derivative Erisa Litig., 493 F. 3d 393 (3d Cir. 2007)(the use of after acquired information obtained through discovery may be utilized to establish demand futility in shareholder derivative litigations)
  • Rolnik v. AT T Wireless Services, Inc., Superior Court of New Jersey ($43 million recovery);
  • In re Remeron Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 02-2007, District of New Jersey ($75 million recovery);
  • In re Lucent Securities Litigation, 327 F. Supp. 2d. 426 (D.N.J. 2004)($517 million recovery);
  • In re AT T Securities Litigation, Master File No. 00-5364 (GEB), District of New Jersey ($100 million settlement);
  • In re Honeywell International, Inc. Securities Litigation, Lead Case No. 2:00cv03605 (DRD), District of New Jersey and 211 F.R.D. 255 (D.N.J. 2002)($100 million recovery)
  • United States of America, ex. rel; Thomas G. Quinn v. Omnicare Inc., et als., Docket No. 03-2187, (3d. Cir. 2004)(successfully obtaining a summary judgment on behalf of defendants which was affirmed by the Third Circuit);
  • Varsolona v. Breen Capital Services Corp., 360 N.J. Supp. 292 (App. Div. 2003), aff’d as modified, 180 N.J. 605 (2004);
  • Williams et als. v. Chatmon, et als., Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County ($1.6 million jury verdict in securities litigation);
  • In Re: PSE G Shareholder Litigation, 173 N.J. 258 (2002); see also, 315 N.J. Super. 323 (Ch. Div. 1998);
  • Burgo v. Volkswagen of Amer., 183 F. Supp. 2d. 683 (D.N.J. 2001)($1.3 million recovery);
  • California Public Employees’ Retirement System v. Chubb Corp., 127 F. Supp. 2d.
  • In re: Nazi Era Cases Against German Defendants, 135 F. Supp. 2d. 537 (D.N.J. 2000); 198 F.R.D. 429 (D.N.J. 2000);
  • In re: Diet Drug Litigation, This Matter Relates to: Lynn Vadino, et. al., v. American Home Products Corp., et al., Case Code #240, Docket No. 3042-97, (Law Div. 1999)($2.5 billion dollar total recovery);
  • In re: Nice Systems Securities Litigation, 188 F.R.D. 206 (D.N.J. 1999);
  • Burger-Fischer v. DeGussa AG, 65 F. Supp. 2d. 248 (D.N.J. 1999);
  • Weikel v. Tower Semiconductor, Ltd., 183 F.R.D. 377 (D.N.J. 1998)($16.25 million recovery in class action securities litigation);
  • In re: Anadigics, Inc. Securities Litigation, Master File No. 98-917 (MLC)($11.5 million recovery);
  • In re: Mobilemedia Securities Litigation, 28 F. Supp. 2d. 901 (D.N.J. 1998)($23.95 million recovery);
  • Grassi v. Information Resources, Inc., 63 F. 3d. 596 (7th Cir. 1995)(class action securities litigation tried to conclusion);
  • In re: Hibbard Brown Securities Litigation, Master File No. 93 Civ 1150, MDL Docket 962 ($150 million approved claim in bankruptcy);
  • In re: General Tire Rubber Co. Securities Litigation, 726 F. 2d. 1057 (6th Cir. 1994);
  • Gelles v. TDA Industries, 44 F. 3d. 102 (2d. Cir. 1994) (establishing standards in the Second Circuit on the “in connection with” principle for securities fraud);
  • Easton Co. v. Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co., Fed. Sec. L. Rep. (CCH) ¶â€™s 96,595, 97,294 and 97,348 (D.N.J. 1993)($2.75 million recovery);
  • Resolution Trust Corp. v. DiDomenico, 837 F. Supp. 623 (D.N.J. 1993);
  • In Re: Bronze and Copper Anti-Trust Litigation, Master File No. 93-4673 (AET), District of New Jersey;
  • V. Rachael Lerch, et als. v. Citizens First Bancorp, et al., 805 F. Supp. 1142 (D.N.J. 1992) and 144 F.R.D. 247 (D.N.J. 1992)($4 million recovery in securities litigation);
  • Zinberg v. Washington Bancorp, et al., 138 F.R.D. 397 (D.N.J. 1990)($2.1 million recovery in securities litigation);
  • In Re: C.R. Bard, Inc. Securities Litigation, Master File No. 90-948 (AMW), District of New Jersey ($18.1 million settlement);
  • In Re: The Regina Company, inc. Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 88-4149 (HAA), District of New Jersey ($7.3 million recovery);
  • Pearl Newman, et al. v. On Line Software International, inc., et al., Civil Action No. 88-3247 (JLL), District of New Jersey ($4.1 million recovery during trial in class action securities litigation);
  • Rose Cammer, et als. v. Bruce M. Bloom, et als., Civil Action No. 88-2458 (AJL) (See 711 F. Supp. 1264 (D.N.J. 1989)($15 million recovery);
  • In Re: Todd Shipyards Securities Litigation, Master File No. 88-2580 (DRD), District of New Jersey ($12.6 million recovery);
  • Willis v. Rubiera Zim, 705 F. Supp. 205 (D.N.J. 1988);
  • Reufenacht v. O’Halleran, 737 F. 2d. 320 (3d. Cir. 1984), aff’d, sub. nom. Gould v. Reufenacht, 471 U.S. 701 (1985)(succeeded in persuading the Supreme Court to disavow the “sale of business doctrine” and afford a private right of action under the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws to those who purchase businesses by acquiring stock rather than assets);
  • Emanuel Metz, etc. v. Jupiter Industries, et als., Civil Action No. 85-c-08414, Northern District of Illinois ($3.1 million recovery in class action securities litigation);
  • In Re: California Life Insurance Company Securities Litigation, MDL Docket No. 400 (LEW), Central District of California ($3.25 million recovery);
  • In Re: General Public Utilities Corporation Securities Litigation, Fed. Sec. L. Rep. (CCH) 1983-1984 Transfer Binder, ¶99,566 (D.N.J. 1983)($24.5 million recovery); and
  • Abramowitz v. Posner, 672 F. 2d. 1025 (2d. Cir. 1982) and 513 F. Supp. 120 (S.D.N.Y. 1981 shareholder derivative litigation).