There’s no party like Steve Cohn’s pre-election pumpkin party at Juniors

November 2, 2024 Chuck Otey

Attorney General Leticia James, recently identified as a potential replacement for Eric Adams, has been known to attend a Cohn breakfast. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Chuck Otey

Nov. 1 breakfast enables leaders to meet, greet and predict the Nov. 5 election

Every election year, there’s a special ‘don’t dare miss this’ aspect to Steve Cohn’s delicious pre-election breakfast at legendary Junior’s on Flatbush Avenue. It’s a fete that draws an abundance of influencers who really do have influence in government, medicine, education, the courts and more. With a looming critical presidential election, Steve Cohn’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Spectacular kicked off at 8 a.m.

Through the years, Cohn has steadily and successfully served in government, our courts, and the health and education systems. He has gained a reputation for honesty and reliability. How has he done it? How has he had a spectacular multi-layered career while nurturing a loving family, wife Jana, son Warren, daughter Muriel, and grandkids? One of his admirers put it simply, “Steve knows how to make things work!”

So, it’s natural that governors, senators and their cohorts down the elective line who aspire to make things work have expressed consistent confidence in him. A goodly number have attended at least one of Steve’s legendary pre-election pumpkin breakfasts. No other non-elected leader in our city has the requisite sway to stage such a multi-year start-of-the-day shindig.

Host Cohn with NY State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Chuck Otey

Host Cohn with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Chuck Otey

Business leaders see opportunity to meet & greet peers

One can expect to find a governor, a senator or two, and a phalanx of city, state and federal electeds who view attendance at this eve-of-election fete as pure political gold. Not to mention powerful leaders in other areas of endeavor, such as Kathy Wylde, who heads the NYC Business Partnership, and Carlo Scissura, president of the NYS Building Congress.

Gov. Kathy Hochul accepts Junior's Cheesecake from host Steve Cohn. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Chuck Otey — Gov. Kathy Hochul accepts Junior’s Cheesecake from host Steve Cohn. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Chuck Otey

Cohn is understandably loyal to his legal alma mater, Brooklyn Law School, and has been a staunch supporter of BLS deans and alumni activities. And it’s worth noting that his first important job was easy to access. The then-new Brooklyn Law School building was right across the street from Kings Civil Court. He could literally walk across the street to take on the vital task of court attorney to the late Hon. Joseph Levine when he was the administrative judge of the civil courts here.

Several years later, he partnered with Richard Goldberg. Together, they built one of the top domestic law firms in the city while helping clients resolve legal differences at local, state and federal levels.

At the same time, he has been the key go-to guy, working with community and borough leaders to work voluntarily for the cause of good community and civility in the courts.

Cohn’s pro bono service won state-wide recognition

The Cohn-Goldberg firm started out mainly handling matrimonial matters but quickly expanded, representing clients in a variety of government-related matters. This experience enabled him to represent — on a non-fee basis — several challenged Brooklyn neighborhoods.

It’s no surprise then that as a president of the prestigious Brooklyn Bar Association, Cohn helped form the very successful Volunteer Lawyers Association, which has enabled thousands to achieve justice here through pro bono channels.

Kathy Wylde, president of the New York City Partnership for Business, shares a moment with host Cohn at an earlier Junior's event. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Chuck Otey — Kathy Wylde, president of the New York City Partnership for Business, shares a moment with host Cohn at an earlier Junior’s event. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Chuck Otey

True to the needs of his profession, Cohn has also shared his valued experience through scores of authoritative articles presented through the New York State Bar and other notable journals.

With all these deeds in service to others, it should come as no surprise that Attorney Cohn, a pioneer in pro bono efforts through the state, was awarded the vaunted New York State Bar Pro Bono Award.