Joel M. Cohen at a glance
- Current role
- Supreme Court Justice
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Joel M. Cohen
Supreme Court Justice · New York County Supreme Court
Public docket analytics load when this section is opened.
Loading AI cases…
Biography
Professional career
- Acting Justice, New York Supreme Court, NY, 2018-present
- Judge, New York Court of Claims, NY, 2018-2027
- Appointment: Court of Claims judge (2018–2026 term) by Governor Andrew Cuomo
- Judge of the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division, New York County, appointed to the Court of Claims by Governor Andrew Cuomo in June 2018 and designated as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in New York County in 2019
- Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Partner, 1996-2018
- Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, NY, 1987-1996
- Law Clerk, Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 1986-1987
- Acting Supreme Court Justice from Jan
- Current position: Judge, Commercial Division, New York County Supreme Court (Part 3, Courtroom 208, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY)
Education
- summa cum laude — Georgetown University — 1986
Additional information
- Economics — SUNY at Binghamton — 1983
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms.
Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtainedPart 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗
Exhibits
Statewide
The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof.
1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCEGuide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗
Statewide
In New York Supreme Court and County Court civil cases, the court may require indexed trial exhibit binders, notebooks, or electronic equivalents for the court, counsel, and witnesses.
The court may direct that on the first day of trial or at such other time as the court may set, counsel shall submit an indexed binder or notebook, or the electronic equivalent, of trial exhibits for the court's use.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Statewide
Civil trial counsel in New York Supreme Court and County Court must confer before trial and attempt to agree on exhibits to be offered without objection, unless the court directs otherwise.
Counsel for the parties shall consult prior to trial and shall in good faith attempt to agree upon the exhibits that will be offered into evidence without objection.Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
For Commercial Division matters, New York rules encourage Virtual Evidence Courtrooms for managing and presenting trial evidence after authorization by request or court direction.
Virtual Evidence Courtrooms (VECs) may be used to facilitate real-time access to trial exhibits and other relevant documents.Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗
Statewide
For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements.
For all hybrid proceedings, all electronic appearances shall be projected in the physical courtroom in which the in-person portion of the proceeding is taking place in such a manner as to provide a reasonable opportunity for members of the public to view and hear the participants appearing electronically.Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗
Published courtroom rules
Judge and named-part rules
Published judge / part rules (41 excerpts)
See document heading and cited passage; do not apply outside the issuing part or proceeding.
Official rules document ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27
Communications with chambers
Part Clerk/Courtroom Phone: 646-386-3287 Chambers Phone: 646-386-4927 (external calls only if scheduled by the Court)
Source page 1Communications with chambers
A. All communications to Chambers regarding procedural, scheduling, and logistical matters may be made by email to sfc-part3@nycourts.gov, copying counsel for all parties.
Source page 1Communications with chambers
B. Chambers will not accept external telephone calls (or voicemails) without prior approval and scheduling. Requests for a telephone conference may be made by email.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
C. All communications seeking substantive relief from the Court must be filed on NYSCEF. If the matter is not controversial or counsel believe it can be resolved informally, the request may be made by letter, copying counsel for all parties.
Source page 2Motion practice
(See also Section VI below regarding pre-motion letters for discovery disputes.) Otherwise, requests for relief must be made by motion.
Source page 2Filing and working copies
A. Part 3 is an e-filing Part. Judge Cohen does not accept working/courtesy copies of documents.
Source page 2Communications with chambers
B. Copies of proposed orders to show cause, proposed orders, proposed judgments, and post-trial briefs should be e-mailed to Chambers at sfc-part3@nycourts.gov in Word format.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
Parties are to meet and confer and fill out the Preliminary Conference Order in advance of the Conference and must be prepared to address the topics listed in Commercial Division Rule 8.
Source page 2Conferences and appearances
This Part hereby adopts the procedure set forth in Commercial Division Rule 11(a)-(c), which requires certain information to be exchanged in advance of the Preliminary Conference.
Source page 2Motion practice
B. Compliance Conferences. At least seven days prior to the compliance conference, counsel shall submit a joint letter not exceeding three single-spaced pages setting forth the status of discovery, describing any significant disputes to be addressed at the conference, whether there are any outstanding motions and/or appeals, and whether the parties have attempted Alternative Dispute Resolution or other efforts at settlement.
Source page 2Discovery
C. Status Conferences. At least seven days prior to the status conference, counsel shall submit a joint letter not exceeding three single-spaced pages setting forth a summary of the case, the current schedule for completion of discovery and filing Note of Issue, any proposed revisions to the schedule and reasons therefor,
Source page 2Motion practice
A. Limited Use of Orders to Show Cause. Motions shall be brought on by order to show cause only when there is genuine urgency (e.g., applications for provisional relief), a stay is required, a statute mandates so proceeding, or by leave of Court.
Source page 3Motion practice
B. Pre-Motion Letters. Except for discovery motions (Section VI below), no prior permission or letters pursuant to Commercial Division Rule 24 are required before making a motion. If the parties believe the dispute may be resolved quickly without the need for formal motion practice, they can request a pre- motion conference.
Source page 3Motion practice
C. Memoranda of Law. All motion papers (in support, opposition, and reply), whether by notice of motion or order to show case, must include a Memorandum of Law, subject to the word limits set forth in Commercial Division Rule 17.
Source page 3Motion practice
E. Motions for Summary Judgment. Commercial Division Rule 19-a statements are required. The responsive statement submitted by the non-moving party should include the text of the moving party’s statement to which each paragraph-specific response is addressed. The Rule 19-a statement is not a substitute for including a Statement of Facts (with citations to the record) in the Memorandum of Law.
Source page 4Motion practice
F. Motion Sequence Number. All papers must have the Motion Sequence Number to which they are related placed on the front page.
Source page 4Motion practice
G. Oral Argument. Requests for oral argument may be included in the Notice of Motion or in the Opposition papers. If the Court concludes that oral argument is not necessary, a written Decision will be issued on the submitted papers.
Source page 4Motion practice
H. Exhibits. Exhibits to motions shall be uploaded to NYSCEF individually, with each Exhibit clearly labeled with its respective identifying information.
Source page 4Discovery
A. The Court expects parties and counsel to proceed cooperatively and professionally during discovery, with an emphasis on efficiency, practicality, and proportionality. Parties and counsel should assume that the Court is able to distinguish between those who solve problems and those who create them unnecessarily.
Source page 4Motion practice
B. Discovery motions are discouraged. If a dispute cannot be resolved after good faith efforts to meet and confer, the parties should proceed in accordance with Commercial Division Rule 14. The parties shall coordinate to make a single Rule 14 submission to the Court containing both the initial letter and any responsive letter(s).
Source page 4Discovery
C. Requests for extension of the Court-ordered end date for discovery must be made prior to the end date and must state how many prior extension requests have been granted.
Source page 4Motion practice
A. If the parties wish to have an evidentiary hearing on a preliminary injunction motion or any other type of motion, they must so advise the Court when the
Source page 4Trial exhibits and witnesses
a. Witness lists should be exchanged between the parties at least five business days prior to the hearing.
Source page 5Trial exhibits and witnesses
c. Any proposed exhibits should be pre-marked (JX-#; PX-#, or DX-#) and the parties should agree to joint exhibits (JX) to the extent possible. JX exhibits are deemed admissible into evidence by agreement. Please have a flashdrive containing the proposed exhibits delivered to the Part Clerk in Courtroom 208.
Source page 5Trial exhibits and witnesses
d. Direct testimony of witness(es) within the offering party’s control shall be submitted to the opposing party(ies) and the Court in affidavit/affirmation form at least three business days prior to the hearing (Commercial Division Rule 32-a);
Source page 5Conferences and appearances
B. The settlement conference must be attended in person by a person with knowledge of the case and authority to settle the case.
Source page 5Conferences and appearances
C. In preparation for the conference, the parties must submit a joint letter (no more than 5 pages) at least one week before the conference, which outlines the remaining issues to be resolved and each parties’ general position on those issues.
Source page 5Filing and working copies
E. All submissions should be made via email to sfc-part3@nycourts.gov, not filed to the docket.
Source page 6Motion practice
A. Pre-Trial Submissions. The submissions required under Commercial Division Rules 26, 27, 28, 29, 31(a), 31(b), and 32, plus marked pleadings and a Joint Statement of Stipulated Facts and Procedural History, shall be made at least fourteen days prior to the final Pre-Trial Conference. Motions in limine should be brought by Order to Show Cause with the reply brief being due at least fourteen days prior to the final Pre-Trial Conference.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
B. Length of Trial. Unless otherwise directed by the Court: (i) trials generally will be scheduled for a fixed duration, with the time divided roughly equally between Plaintiff(s) and Defendant(s), including time spent cross-examining the other side’s witnesses; and (ii) the Court will not hold trial on Fridays, to provide time to address matters in other pending cases.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
C. Direct Affidavits: if the parties intend to use direct affidavits, the party must provide the Court and all parties a copy of the affidavit at least three (3) days before the witness is expected to testify.
Source page 6Filing and working copies
D. Additional Pre-Trial Submissions in Jury Trials. In addition to the above, for jury trials the following materials shall be submitted at least fourteen days prior to
Source page 6Communications with chambers
ii. Proposed jury instructions, including the text of relevant PJI instructions, should be submitted by email to Chambers (sfc-part3@nycourts.gov) in Word format. The submissions should note the instructions to which the parties have stipulated. Any proposed deviations from PJI instructions should be highlighted and explained, with citations to legal authority where appropriate.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
iii. Exhibits must be pre-marked in accordance with Commercial Division Rule 28.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
1. Joint exhibits (as to which there is no objection to admissibility) should be designated by JX followed by the number of the exhibit.
Source page 6Trial exhibits and witnesses
2. Plaintiff’s exhibits (as to which there is or may be an objection by Defendant as to admissibility) should be designated as PX followed by the number of the exhibit
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
3. Defendant’s exhibits (as to which there is or may be an objection by Plaintiff as to admissibility) should be designated as DX followed by the number of the exhibit iv. On or before the first day of trial, counsel shall provide the Court with a flash drive containing copies of their proposed exhibits, as well as any binders of documents that will be shown to witnesses.
Source page 7Trial exhibits and witnesses
v. In bench trial, the Court will only consider evidence that is raised or introduced during the trial itself. Absent special circumstances, evidence offered for the first time in post-trial briefs will not be considered.
Source page 7Filing and working copies
vi. After trial, counsel shall e-file a list of the exhibits that were admitted into evidence. Counsel shall provide the Court with a flash drive containing copies of the admitted exhibits, identified by exhibit number.
Source page 7Filing and working copies
F. Transcripts. For multi-day trials, the Court requires that the parties order a daily copy of the transcript during trial. Counsel are to e-file the transcripts after trial.
Source page 7Communications with chambers
In addition to filing on NYSCEF, copies of the post-trial briefs in Word format should be emailed to Chambers at sfc-part3@nycourts.gov.
Source page 7Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
New York County Supreme Court
State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-2722 NYCRR Part 202 — Uniform Civil Rules Supreme Court And County Court
New York County Supreme Court
Civil actions and proceedings only; section-specific and specialized-part restrictions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27New York County Supreme Court, Civil Branch — Rules of the Justices
New York County Supreme Court
Civil Branch proceedings in New York County Supreme Court only; not criminal proceedings. Preserve source version and check later judge/part instructions.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
New York County Supreme Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
New York County Supreme Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202: Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court and the County Court ↗Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 202.70 Commercial Division Rules: Virtual Evidence Courtrooms and Trial Exhibits ↗Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗