George M. Cohen

George M. Cohen is a Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he joined the faculty in 1993 as an associate professor and was promoted to full professor in 1995. He serves as a prominent scholar in legal ethics, contract law, and law and economics, teaching courses in contracts, professional responsibility, agency and partnership, and previously teaching antitrust and law and economics.

Cohen earned his undergraduate degree summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University. He went on to earn his J.D. in 1986 and a Ph.D. in economics in 1992, both from the University of Pennsylvania. During law school, he served as articles editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. Prior to joining UVA, Cohen clerked for Judge Walter K. Stapleton of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and taught at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law starting in 1988.

Professor Cohen's research spans several interconnected areas of legal scholarship with a particular focus on the intersection of law, economics, and professional ethics. His work examines contract law through economic analysis, explores ethical dilemmas in legal practice, and investigates the theoretical foundations of agency and partnership law. He has made significant contributions to understanding how fault concepts shape contract law, the ethical responsibilities of lawyers in corporate settings, and the application of economic principles to traditional legal doctrines. His scholarship often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in legal practice.

Analysis of Cohen's recent publications reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory focusing on the evolving landscape of legal ethics in contemporary practice, particularly examining how traditional ethical frameworks respond to modern challenges like political interference in legal practice and the aftermath of financial crises. His work demonstrates a sophisticated integration of economic analysis with doctrinal legal scholarship, maintaining relevance across both theoretical and practical dimensions of law.

Cohen has held significant leadership roles within the academic community, serving as chair of the UVA Faculty Senate from 2012-13. He has also contributed extensively to legal discourse through his role as an ethics consultant and expert for several law firms, demonstrating the practical impact of his scholarly work. His scholarship has appeared in prestigious law reviews including the Virginia Law Review, Fordham Law Review, and Michigan Law Review.

Professor Cohen maintains an active scholarly presence with recent publications addressing contemporary legal challenges, including his 2024 analysis of Rudy Giuliani's disciplinary proceedings related to the 2020 election. His work continues to shape discussions on professional responsibility and the application of legal ethics in politically charged environments.