Syracuse University Elects Vincent H. Cohen Jr. to its Board of Trustees
Syracuse University announced the election of Vincent H. Cohen Jr. ’92, L’95 to its Board of Trustees, who is an alumni of the University.
“The board welcomes Cohen and is grateful for his commitment to Syracuse University,” says Board of Trustees Chair Kathleen A. Walters ’73. “As the University navigates these difficult times, we appreciate his dedication and the experience he bring to our continued work to secure and strengthen the University’s future.”
Chancellor Kent Syverud looks forward to his input and working with Cohen to build upon the progress that has been made to achieve the University’s academic vision.
“We are honored to have Vincent Cohen and as part of our university’s leadership,” says Chancellor Syverud. “Cohen has a strong commitment and connection to the University. With his expertise and experience, he will bring added perspective to the board and complement the work being done by our current members.”
Cohen is a partner at Dechert LLP. He focuses on high-stakes litigation on behalf of individuals and corporations. As an experienced trial lawyer and investigator, he represents clients in sensitive government and internal investigations, government enforcement matters and complex civil and criminal litigation. Cohen is the former acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Prior to leading the largest U.S. attorney’s office in the nation, he served as the office’s principal assistant U.S. attorney for five years.
Throughout his career, Cohen has been consistently recognized for his professional accomplishments. He is recognized by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in the area of white-collar crime and government investigations for the District of Columbia and is listed by Legal 500 US for corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense. He was named a Rainmaker by MCCA in 2019 for being an exceptional diverse attorney whose business acumen and dedication to proactive client development set him apart as a leader in the legal profession. In 2018, he was named one of Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Lawyers in America and was also listed as one of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America by Lawdragon.
In 2014, he received the Presidential Star Award from the National Bar Association for his contributions in the field of law and, in 2010, he was identified as one of the “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under the Age of 40.” Cohen has also received the Director’s Award from the U.S. Secret Service for his contributions and commitment to the principles of responsible law enforcement, and Walker Memorial Baptist Church recognized him with the Public Service and Humanitarian Award for his work in ensuring equal justice for the people of Washington, D.C., through his selfless community involvement.
Cohen serves as an instructor teaching trial advocacy at Harvard Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop and is a frequent lecturer at Syracuse University, Georgetown University and Harvard law schools. He has served as general counsel and remains an active member of 100 Black Men of America Inc. (Greater Washington), an organization focused on improving the quality of life of minority youth in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
After graduating from Syracuse University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the College of Arts and Sciences, he earned a juris doctorate in 1995 at the Syracuse University College of Law. While an undergraduate, he was a member of the Orange men’s basketball team.
Cohen serves on the Office of Multicultural Advancement’s Advisory Council and is a former member of the Syracuse University Law Alumni Association Board of Directors. He received the inaugural Syracuse Law Honors Award from the College of Law in 2015 for his distinguished achievement and, in 2008, Cohen received the Chancellor’s Citation for Distinguished Alumni Achievement in Law.
Cohen endowed an Our Time Has Come Scholarship in honor of his late father, Vincent Cohen Sr. ’57, L’60, who was an All-American basketball player at Syracuse University before attending the law school and becoming a successful corporate attorney in Washington, D.C. The elder Cohen was named a Syracuse Letterwinner of Distinction in 1982; a recipient of the George Arents Pioneer Medal, the University’s highest alumni honor, in 1986; was chair of the 1992 Coming Back Together (CBT) alumni reunion and was named to the Syracuse Men’s Basketball All-Century Team in 2000. Vincent Cohen Jr.’s sister, Dr. Traci Cohen Dennis ’90, is also an active alumna who supports the memorial endowment.
Cohen and his wife, Lisa, live in Washington, D.C., and are the parents of Vincent III and Laila.