An Honorable Introduction



Common Pleas Judge Denis Cohen

As perhaps the most liberal member of City Council, you might wonder how Councilman David Cohen feels about raising a kid who grew up to be a judge, sentencing criminals to prison on a daily basis.

But Councilman Cohen is obviously a big fan of his son, Denis, who is running for a judgeship in Philadelphia’s Common Pleas Court. When Cohen introduced him during a March 27 meeting of the Liberty City Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club, one thing was for certain — Dad didn’t need to use notes.

"A father doesn’t often get a chance to brag about his son in public," the councilman said. "But I want you to know that everything I say is completely objective."

The elder Cohen went on to tell Liberty City members — whose support Denis Cohen is seeking — that both Philadelphia’s political parties endorse Denis, as does the Philadelphia Bar Association. In addition to his son’s professional qualifications, Cohen was mindful to stress that Denis, 49, possesses the strong character instilled in him by his parents. (What he neglected to mention, however, is that Denis Cohen and his wife, Lisa, are expecting their first child in July).

Gov. Ridge temporarily appointed Denis Cohen to the Common Pleas bench last year, but he must be elected by the public to retain his seat for a full 10-year term. Prior to that appointment, Judge Cohen spent nearly 25 years prosecuting business and street crimes and consumer fraud cases for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

When the younger Cohen stood up to speak at the Liberty City meeting, he thanked his dad for an introduction that was "the most objective appraisal of me possible."

As for whether Councilman Cohen has any reservations about his son’s career in criminal justice, Judge Cohen doubts it. While working as an assistant DA, people occasionally asked him, "With such a liberal father, how can you be a prosecutor?"

"But I never saw a conflict because I consider myself a fair and just prosecutor, and my dad has always been fair and just," Cohen says.

—Gwen Shaffer