Mel Cohen’s law practice focuses on commercial litigation and transactions with emphasis on construction, surety, real estate and business disputes. Starting in 1974 as a Pima County Deputy County Attorney he gained substantial experience in numerous construction projects including Ina Road Wastewater facility, Kino Hospital, golf courses as well as representing Pima County Planning and Zoning, Building Code, Elections, School Superintendent and the County Merit System. After leaving the County and travelling for a year, he returned to open a private practice with Howard Watt, developing a practice representing general contractors, owners, subcontractors, sureties, design professionals and developers. Joining Mesch, Clark & Rothschild, P.C. in 1989 he has continued litigation, arbitration and mediation of large commercial disputes, including lending and other commercial agreements, real estate acquisition, leases and manufacturing agreements, mergers and acquisitions, as well as construction of auditoriums, mining facilities, multi-family projects, telescopes, water and sewer projects, large private residences, highway and pipeline construction.

Community, Religious, and Civil Affiliations: Board Member of Reading Seed, now Literacy Connects. 2012 City of Tucson Bond Oversight Commission for Roads; assists in leading Shabbat and Holiday services at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging; previously University of Arizona Hillel Foundation Board of Directors and President; Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging Board of Director and Chair. Volunteer Attorney for Tourette’s Syndrome Association.

Professional Memberships: Volunteer Lawyer’s Program; Adjunct Professor University of Arizona College of Architecture + Planning + Landscape Architecture; Arizona Superior Court Judge Pro Tem; American Bar Association Forum on Construction Industry; and Fidelity & Surety Law Committee; American Arbitration Association, Arbitrator; Association of General Contractors of America Contract Documents Committee; Legus Network of Law Firms; Arizona Builder’s Alliance.

Bar Committees: Arizona Bar Construction Committee; Arizona Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee; previously Arizona Bar Fee Arbitration Committee.

Awards: Center for Disability Law Award; Volunteer Lawyer Pro-Bono Attorney.

Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors, University of Cincinnati, 1970. Juris Doctor, University of Pittsburgh, 1973. Admitted to practice, State Bar of Arizona and Federal District Court, 1974; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Training, including Harvard University and American Arbitration Association

Personal and Athletic Interests: University of Cincinnati Football 1966-67; whitewater rafting; ocean kayaking; yoga. Presently studying Tai Chi; ancient Jewish texts.