Jeffrey A. Cohen

Chairman

  • P: 314.505.5490
  • F: 314.505.5491
  • E: cohen@capessokol.com

Practice Groups

  • Banking & Finance
  • Business & Corporate Transactions
  • Real Estate
  • Retail Law Collective

Areas of Concentration

  • Acquisitions and Dispositions
  • Business Divorce and Complex Ownership Dispute Resolution
  • Business Formation and Deal Structure
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Charitable Giving
  • Commercial Contracts
  • Corporate Finance
  • Employment Agreements
  • Entity Formation and Governance
  • Executive Compensation
  • Healthcare Corporate Transactions and Business Matters
  • Leases
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Other Commercial Real Estate Services
  • Outside General Counsel Services
  • Real Estate Development and Redevelopment
  • Real Estate Entity Formation and Joint Venture Structures
  • Separation and Severance Agreements

Experience at Work

Jeffrey is one of Capes Sokol's Founding Shareholders and currently serves as Chairman of the Firm. Previously, Jeffrey served as Capes Sokol's first Managing Shareholder from 2015 to 2023. He is recognized for his proficiency in guiding and resolving complex legal matters and disputes related to business transactions and commercial real estate. Jeffrey has experience across a wide range of industries, including real estate, distribution, manufacturing, and service businesses. At Capes Sokol, Jeffrey also focuses on the representation of closely held businesses and their owners through the entire life of the company, including mergers and acquisitions, contract arrangements, business and succession planning, financing, corporate governance, and other general business matters. He previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Paul J. Simon, Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.

In the Community

Jeffrey is active in a number of civic and charitable organizations, as well as serving as a board member and officer of several for-profit and not-for-profit entities.

  • Jeffrey serves as General Counsel and Legal Advisor to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.
  • Jeffrey serves on the Executive Committee and is Secretary of the Board of Directors for the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, a multi-generational gathering place, offering a variety of programs and services for the greater St. Louis community.
  • Jeffrey serves as President and member of the Board of Governors of Westwood Country Club.
  • Jeffrey currently serves as a Council of Life member for the Henry and Gladys Crown Center for Senior Living, an independent living community for low-income seniors, and previously served as Board Chair.


Awards & Recognition

Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America® | Lawyer of the Year: Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), St. Louis (2019, 2021 & 2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® | Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. St. Louis (2016 – Present)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® | Lawyer of the Year: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, St. Louis (2022)
  • Super Lawyers® | Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers List, Super Lawyer (2020 – Present)
  • St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Hall of Fame (2023)
  • St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Top 100 St. Louisans to Know to Succeed In Business (2017)
  • Missouri Lawyers WeeklyLaw Firm Leader (2019)
  • St. Louis Jewish Light, Unsung Heroes (2017)
  • Crown Center for Senior Living, Leadership Award (2015)

Recognitions


Memberships & Associations

Professional Organizations

  • American Bar Association |  Business Law Section
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
  • Missouri Bar


Education

Educational Background

  • J.D., University of Tulsa College of Law (1995)
  • B.A., International Relations, Tulane University (1992)


Knowledge & Insights

Publications

  • “When May a Sovereign be Held Liable for the Act of Her Instrumentalities Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.” Tulsa Journal of Comparative & International Law. Vol. 1. (1994)


Admissions & Qualifications

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Illinois
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Courts
    • Eastern District of Missouri


Leadership & Community Engagement

Current Leadership Positions

  • Jewish Federation of St. Louis | General Counsel & Legal Advisor
  • St. Louis Jewish Community Center | Vice Chair & Member of the Board of Directors
  • Westwood Country Club | President (2021-present) 
  • Westwood Country Club | Board of Governors
  • Henry and Gladys Crown Center for Senior Living | Council of Life Member

Past Leadership Positions

  • Henry and Gladys Crown Center for Senior Living | President (2010 – 2014)

Civic & Community

  • St. Louis Jewish Community Center
  • Henry and Gladys Crown Center for Senior Living
  • Westwood Country Club
  • Jewish Federation of St. Louis