The legal career of Roy Marcus Cohn ignited in 1951 when he played a decisive role in the espionage trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Born in New York City on February 20, 1927, Cohn evolved from an aggressive federal prosecutor into a polarizing political fixer, exerting significant influence over both the American judicial landscape and individual business careers during the 1970s and 1980s.
Background and Education
Raised in the Bronx, Cohn was the only child of Dora Marcus and Albert C. Cohn, an assistant district attorney who later served as a judge for the New York State Supreme Court. Following his primary education at the Horace Mann School and the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, he completed his studies at Columbia University. By age 20, he had already graduated from Columbia Law School.
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Admitted to the New York bar in May 1948, Cohn began his tenure as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. He focused on espionage cases, including the prosecution of William Remington and senior American Communist Party members. His work drew the attention of J. Edgar Hoover, facilitating his appointment as chief counsel to Senator Joseph McCarthy. During this time, he also served as an adjunct professor at New York Law School, instructing students in criminology and ethics.
The Rosenberg Trial
Cohn’s involvement in the 1951 trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg proved foundational to his reputation. His direct examination of David Greenglass provided the testimony necessary for the couple’s conviction and subsequent execution in 1953. Cohn later asserted that he influenced key procedural decisions, including the appointments of prosecutor Irving H. Saypol and judge Irving Kaufman.
Private Practice and Disbarment
After departing the public sector, Cohn established a private legal practice in New York City, representing diverse clients ranging from political operatives to real estate figures, including Donald Trump. His career concluded in 1986 when the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court disbarred him for professional misconduct, specifically regarding the coerced amendment of a dying client's will. Five weeks after his disbarment, Cohn died in Bethesda from AIDS-related complications at the age of 59.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 February 1927, New York City
- Died: 2 August 1986, Bethesda
- Education: Columbia University, Columbia Law School
- Burial site: Union Field Cemetery
- Citizenship: United States, Israel
- Disbarment date: 1986
Questions readers ask
What led to Roy Cohn's disbarment?
The New York State Supreme Court disbarred him in 1986 for attempting to defraud a dying client by forcing a change to a will.
What was the cause of Roy Cohn's death?
Cohn died on August 2, 1986, due to complications from AIDS.
