Walter Cohen Receives Francis X. Bellotti Award

Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP partner Walter W. Cohen was chosen by the Society of Attorneys General Emeritus (SAGE) to be the recipient of the Francis X. Bellotti Award. The award, established in 2001, is given to a former Attorney General who has served SAGE and worked diligently to further their vision and mission.

In announcing the award, named after long-serving former Massachusetts Attorney General Frank Bellotti, the National Association of Attorneys General stated “Walter is known for his knowledge, expertise and thoughtful advice to both current attorneys general and SAGE members.”

Cohen’s career spans 45 years in criminal prosecutions and investigations, government service, and private practice. He represents large and multi-national corporations on regulatory issues before state attorney generals throughout the country. He served as Attorney General of Pennsylvania and, from 1989 through 1994, was First Deputy Attorney General. In those positions, he gave overall supervision to all significant civil and criminal litigation, while also directly handling appeals in state and federal courts, including arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cohen’s earlier service in Pennsylvania state government included four years (1983-87) as Secretary of Public Welfare and four years (1979-83) as State Consumer Advocate. As Secretary, he managed the largest single state agency in the country, including administration of the Medicaid program and oversight of mental health, mental retardation and long-term care.

He has been a partner at Obermayer since 1996.