EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS in New York City & Beyond

In what some considered a “surprise verdict”, a Cohen Forman Barone client was acquitted of selling drugs to an undercover police officer. During pretrial proceedings, prosecutors from the New York County District Attorney’s informed the court that they would be seeking a ten-year sentence if the defendant was convicted after trial. The DA’s position was based on what they deemed to be an “air tight” case and the defendant’s violent criminal history. Despite the fact that the other defendants accepted plea bargains and the lengthy sentence the Cohen Forman Barone client faced, the defense chose to take the case to trial. The prosecution’s case centered on an undercover officer “buy and bust” operation team who allegedly engaged in a drug sale involving multiple defendants. The Cohen Forman Barone client was alleged to be the primary supplier of the drugs. The defense focused on attacking the unreliability of both the police officers themselves and the “buy and bust” system in general, with Cory Forman calling it an “outdated, unreliable, and antiquated” system during closing remarks. The jury deliberated for approximately four hours before acquitting the defendant, who was able to celebrate the holiday season with his family.

A CFB client was haunted by a warrant, exactly 20 years old, that left ignored would put him at risk of losing crucial job opportunities. With the case being decades old, there was concern as to how quickly the case could be heard by a judge and whether the client would need to travel across the country during a pandemic. With the expertise of David J. Cohen, the case was heard virtually within two weeks of CFB being hired, with all counts being dismissed. The results of this case were a direct outcome of David J. Cohen’s persistence and compassion. At CFB, attorneys understand that even one additional day of having criminal charges can greatly impact someone’s life.

A Cohen Forman Barone client was detained in March upon his arrival at Newark International Airport from a trip overseas. The basis of his detention was a 2009 theft conviction that rendered him inadmissible to the United States, despite his status as a lawful permanent resident. Additionally, he was not legally eligible for bond and, therefore, spent the next four months in a detention center. The attorneys at CFB applied for relief from removal under Section 212(h) of the Immigration Nationality Act (“INA”), which is available as a “standalone” application to lawful permanent residents deemed inadmissible after a trip abroad. The hearing was conducted on July 26, 2019 at the Elizabeth Immigration Court, and after reviewing the evidence submitted in support of the application, as well as hearing from the client and his witnesses, the Immigration Judge granted the application. The client was released from detention that day and is now back home in New Jersey with his family.

After years of denials and delays, a CFB client has finally been granted his green card. The client, who first submitted his petition more than a decade ago, had first been the victim of a series of improper denials. The denials were initially based on a number of factors, including the client’s criminal background. A subsequent application was filed with evidence to support the client’s claim that he was indeed eligible to apply for his green card and that his criminal history did not bar him from that benefit. After five years of government delays in adjudicating the application, the client became fed up and retained the services of CFB. The attorneys at CFB filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, naming the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) as defendant’s. One month later USCIS approved the green card application. The client is finally a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

CFB’s criminal defense team was up against video evidence from 2 different altercations, a 911 call describing their client as the perpetrator and a point out of CFB’s client by the victim. The prosecutor’s office smelled blood and refused to make any plea offer to SP. A trial was inevitable. At trial, David Cohen reenacted the alleged crime and identification of SP by the victim. Cohen used the courtroom as his stage and methodically demonstrated to the jury the circumstances of the “identification” of SP by the government’s witness. He challenged the witness on the witness’ ability to see what happened or to recall the event after the blow to the head. The jury deliberated less than two hours coming back with a not guilty verdict on what would have been a life sentence for SP. A CFB client facing a life sentence was found not guilty after trial by jury on what CFB argued was a misidentification.

A CFB Client facing deportation was desperately seeking employment authorization in order to be able to support his wife and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. After prior unsuccessful attempts to do so, client and CFB attorneys worked together to file for his work authorization under an alternative basis. Despite delays in processing nationwide, the client’s application was submitted and approved within just one month on May 29, 2020, and he and his family are now excitedly looking forward to a more prosperous future.

A CFB client had been accused of a felony fraud from 20 years ago. Law enforcement said he was on the run and issued a warrant for his arrest. Despite living a law abiding life for the last two decades, he felt law enforcement was closing in on him. When he came to CFB his hopes of avoiding the charges, a criminal conviction and potential jail time were thinning. He was scared and his wife was overcome with anxiety and the resulting sleep deprivation. After spending several weeks collecting information from the client’s past the lawyers at CFB were able to present to the district attorney’s office a package highlighting the devastation that any conviction would hold for the client. With a mitigation package submitted to the prosecutor’s office outlining client’s exemplary lifestyle since the warrant was issued over two decade ago, CFB was able to obtain the best possible result for the client. All charges were dismissed the warrant vacated and his wife had finally gotten a good night’s sleep.

A Cohen Forman Barone client successfully had all criminal charges dismissed. Attorney David Cohen's success on the criminal side allowed our firm to see success in the client's immigration case as well. On March 26, 2020, the I-90 Application for Replacement Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) was granted for this CFB client, who had been without his green card for many years.

CFB is proud to share its recent success for a long-time client. The client is an Afghani refugee from the 1980s who was hunted by Taliban forces due to his family lineage before escaping with his young bride. He was granted asylum in the U.S. in the late 1980s and lawful permanent residence shortly after. Within just a couple of years of gaining his resident status, he was involved in a minor drug transaction. He pleaded guilty to selling heroin and sentenced to state prison. Upon his release in 1994, he was placed in deportation proceedings in NYC. Those proceedings would continue for the next 19 years until he was found ineligible for any form of relief from deportation. He was ordered deported but permitted to remain temporarily due to the conditions in Afghanistan.

The client’s children and wife have been U.S. citizens for decades and both of his children worked with the U.S. military during middle east operations. The CFB client wanted to assist the U.S. military as well but was unable to do so because of the fact that his legal residency was stripped and he was ordered deported. After battling Immigration authorities, the client came to meet with attorneys at CFB.

After a thorough review and analysis of clients’ underlying criminal conviction as well as the immigration case, CFB attorneys determined their client had a valid basis to challenge the legality of his conviction that had haunted him for almost three decades. After successfully vacating the conviction, CFB counsel submitted a motion to the Immigration Court to rescind the client’s deportation order. On May 6, 2021, the Immigration Judge granted CFB’s motion in full and terminated the deportation proceedings, and restored the client’s lawful permanent resident status, which he unjustly lost almost thirty years ago

CFB attorneys were delighted to share the wonderful success with deeply relieved and grateful clients. This case illustrates the possibilities that creative lawyering and dogged determination to reach an outcome can yield.

CFB client was approved for U.S. Citizenship in Newark, New Jersey after appearing at his second interview in a naturalization case where client had significant criminal and tax payment issues. With CFB’s careful and resolute guidance, client soldiered on and continued to pursue his naturalization despite the complications and was both approved and sworn in on the very same day after satisfying USCIS of his worthiness for U.S. Citizenship.