About Jonathan
Jonathan Cohen built his academic foundation with a B.A. in English and Philosophy from Boston University in 1992 and a J.D. from Washington University School of Law in 1996. He completed law school in the mid-1990s, entering the legal field at a time of shifting criminal justice priorities. Those years shaped his approach to courtroom work and legal analysis.
He began his legal career in public service. In 1999 he worked as a trial lawyer for the Manchester, New Hampshire Public Defender’s Office, representing clients at the trial level and handling a heavy case load. He moved into private practice in 2003 as a trial lawyer with Twomey & Sisti Law Offices. In 2006 he added a teaching role, serving as an adjunct professor at Franklin Pierce University, where he brought courtroom examples into the classroom. The next year he joined Bernstein Shur Sawyer & Nelson as a trial lawyer, continuing steady courtroom work and handling a range of criminal matters.
In 2009 he became a partner at Cohen & Winters, PLLC. In that role he took on lead trial responsibilities and the management tasks partners typically assume. His time as partner has included supervising litigation teams, preparing cases for trial, and representing clients at hearings and jury trials. Colleagues and opposing counsel have encountered him most often in courtroom settings.
Cohen has been active in several professional organizations. He has been a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association since 1999 and of the New Hampshire Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers from the same year. He joined the NORML Legal Committee in 2006 and has remained on that committee. Those memberships reflect recurring ties to local bar activities and to national conversations on legal issues related to cannabis policy and criminal defense.
Across roles in public defense, private firms, and academia, his work has centered on trial practice and criminal-defense litigation. He has handled cases from arraignment through trial and post-conviction proceedings. He brings courtroom experience to case strategy and client counseling. He currently practices criminal defense and trial litigation at Cohen & Winters, PLLC.
