Michael Cohen Biography: Age, Wikipedia, Legal Career, Disbarment, Controversies, Wife, Family, Net Worth

Onyedika May 15, 2024

Michael Cohen Biography

Michael Cohen is an American lawyer who gained national attention as the personal attorney for former President Donald Trump. He served in this role from 2006 to 2018. Cohen has been described as Trump’s “fixer” and was involved in various legal and business dealings for him.

Cohen began his career as a personal injury lawyer. He joined the Trump Organization in 2007, where he held positions such as vice president and special counsel to Trump.

In August 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including tax fraud, bank fraud, and campaign finance violations related to payments made to silence women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. Following his conviction, Cohen was disbarred in February 2019. He was sentenced to three years in federal prison but was released early due to COVID-19 concerns.

Michael Cohen Age

Michael Cohen is 58 years old as of 2024.

Michael Cohen Early Life and Education

Michael Cohen was born on August 25, 1966, in Lawrence, New York, a suburb of New York City. Raised in a Jewish family, his father was a Holocaust survivor and a surgeon, and his mother worked as a nurse.

Cohen’s education began at the Woodmere Academy, where he completed his high school studies. Following his graduation, he pursued higher education at American University in Washington D.C., earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Cohen decided to continue his education in law. He attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Michigan, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1991.

Michael Cohen Career

Michael Cohen’s career began in the early 1990s when he started practicing as a personal injury lawyer. His legal practice was just the beginning of his entrepreneurial ventures.

Cohen’s ambition extended beyond the courtroom as he ventured into various business interests, including real estate and the New York City taxicab trade. His acumen for business was evident as he built a substantial real estate portfolio and became involved in the lucrative taxicab medallion market, operating a fleet of taxis in New York and Chicago.

In the 2000s, Cohen’s career took a significant turn when he began working for Donald Trump. He quickly became a trusted confidant and counsel to Trump, earning a reputation for his loyalty and tenacity. Cohen’s role within the Trump Organization was multifaceted; he served as vice president and was heavily involved in numerous business dealings. His legal expertise and business savvy made him an integral part of the Trump team.

Cohen’s influence extended into the political realm as well. He was actively involved in politics, serving as deputy finance chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2017 to 2018.

Beyond his work with Trump, Cohen’s business interests were diverse. He invested in a casino cruise ship business, a series of medical clinics and billing companies, and held a small stake in a family-run club in Brooklyn.

Michael Cohen Disbarment and Prison Sentence

In December 2018, Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to several charges, including tax evasion, making false statements to a federally insured bank, and campaign finance violations. These charges were related to his role in making payments to silence women who claimed to have had affairs with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, which were considered to be in violation of campaign finance laws.

The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, disbarred Cohen from practicing law in the state of New York in February 2019. This decision came as a result of his conviction, which under New York law, automatically resulted in disbarment for committing a felony. Cohen reported to the federal prison near Otisville, New York, in May 2019 to begin serving his sentence.

Cohen’s prison term was not without its developments. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was released early from prison and allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence in home confinement.

Michael Cohen Assests and Investments

Michael Cohen’s assets and investments have been diverse throughout his career. Prior to his legal troubles, Cohen had amassed a significant amount of wealth, largely attributed to his ownership of over 200 New York City taxi medallions. Before the rise of ride-sharing apps, these medallions were highly valuable, with a single medallion sometimes selling for over $1 million.

In addition to the taxi medallion business, Cohen’s salary as Trump’s personal attorney also contributed to his wealth, with reports suggesting he made $525,000 per year in that role. His real estate investments further augmented his financial portfolio, as he owned several properties.

Michael Cohen Net Worth

Before encountering legal issues, Cohen’s net worth was estimated to exceed $100 million USD. Presently, it’s estimated to be around $1 million USD.

Michael Cohen Recent Controversy

Michael Cohen was involved in a controversy related to his testimony in Donald Trump’s criminal trial in May 2024. Cohen returned to the stand and provided incriminating testimony about Trump’s alleged involvement in falsifying business records. Trump’s legal team attempted to undermine Cohen’s credibility, portraying him as a disgruntled former employee seeking revenge.

Cohen testified that Trump had directly instructed him to make a payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to prevent her from disclosing an alleged affair. He detailed how Trump was involved in the repayment process for this hush money.

Michael Cohen Wife and Children

Michael Cohen is married to Laura Shusterman, a Ukrainian-American entrepreneur and investor. Laura Shusterman comes from a family with a business background; her father, Fima Shusterman, moved to the United States from Ukraine in 1975 and established a successful business empire.

Together, Michael and Laura have two children: Samantha Blake Cohen and Jake Ross Cohen. Samantha graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, while Jake attended the University of Miami.