Ronald Jay Cohen

Ronald Jay Cohen is the founding partner of Cohen Dowd Quigley and one of the nation’s most respected litigators. He began his distinguished legal career in 1972 and built his reputation in complex commercial litigation. From high-stakes trials to landmark verdicts, he has consistently demonstrated excellence in courtroom advocacy across Arizona and beyond.

Cohen earned his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1972, where he served on the Law Review. He graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin in 1970 with a B.A. His academic foundation laid the groundwork for his leadership in litigation and legal education throughout his career.

Before founding his firm, Cohen was a senior litigation partner at Streich Lang in Phoenix, Arizona. His trial expertise spans decades, including roles as lead counsel in some of Arizona’s most significant plaintiff verdicts. Recognized for his service, he was a Maricopa County Judge Pro Tem and contributed to numerous judicial performance and advocacy training initiatives.

Cohen is also a highly respected legal educator, known for teaching advanced trial advocacy across the United States and Europe. He has presented at leading law schools, including Harvard, Emory, and Arizona State University. As a longtime trustee and executive committee member of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), he was named Trustee Emeritus and received the prestigious Keeton Award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to trial advocacy training.

Cohen’s accolades include being named to Super Lawyers every year since 2007, inclusion in Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators, and multiple listings in Arizona Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar” and “Who’s Who in Law.” He also chaired the ABA’s Section of Litigation, representing 65,000 members during his term.

Though he scaled back his full-time practice in 2008, Ronald Jay Cohen’s legacy endures through his landmark cases, mentorship, and the Ronald Jay Cohen Student Center at Arizona State University Law School—a testament to his profound influence on the legal profession.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founding Partner, Cohen Dowd Quigley P.C.
• Member, State Bar of Arizona
• Member, Maricopa County Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, National Institute for Trial Advocacy
• Member, United States District Court, District of Arizona
• Member, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Member, United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
• Member, United States Supreme Court

Licensed State

• Arizona

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Wisconsin
  BS in Business Management

Awards & Badges