David R. Cohen

"We are deeply grateful for David's guidance and leadership. He has made incredible contributions over the years to the e-discovery field."
Chambers USA, E-Discovery & Information Governance client

"David is considered a thought leader in e-discovery. He has a wealth of knowledge which is impressive and his work and communication is excellent."
Chambers USA, E-Discovery & Information Governance client

"David listens, thinks and shares. He is an innovator, a great mentor and has been a leader in embracing the use of technology in the legal industry."
Chambers USA, E-Discovery & Information Governance client

"David provides a lot of value to our organization. He is very responsive, easy to work with, thorough, knowledgeable about our business and risk profile and provides sound, practical advice."
Chambers USA, E-Discovery & Information Governance client

"David is a reliable and trusted adviser and stays on top of developments."
Chambers USA, E-Discovery & Information Governance client

David is the former chair of our Records & E-Discovery (RED) Group and a member of the Emerging Technologies group. A Harvard Law graduate with more than 35 years of commercial litigation experience, David has served as e-discovery counsel and information governance counsel to some of the top companies in the world. He has also represented clients in complex litigation matters and has counseled companies of all sizes on information governance and litigation readiness issues. David retired from the firm in June 2025 but continues to collaborate with other Reed Smith lawyers, on a contractor basis, to provide advice to information governance and e-discovery clients.

Recognitions

Winner of Tech Law Awards’ 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
Ranked in Chambers Global for USA E-Discovery & Information Governance
Winner of Legal Intelligencer’s 2023 Pennsylvania Innovator of the Year Award

Credentials

Education

Harvard Law School, 1983, J.D., cum laude
Kenyon College, 1980, B.A., summa cum laude

Professional admissions & qualifications

Pennsylvania
New York

Court admissions

All State and Federal Courts - Pennsylvania
U.S. Court of Appeals - Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals - Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals - Third Circuit
U.S. District Court - Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court - Western District of Pennsylvania

Professional affiliations

EDRM – Chair of Board of Project Trustees; co-chair of Cross Border Discovery Team
Georgetown University Law Center, Advanced eDiscovery Institute – Advisory Board
Sedona Conference
Strafford Publications, Inc. – Editorial Advisory Board for Litigation Conferences
Allegheny County Bar Association (past Chair of Technology Utilization Committee)
American Bar Association (past Chair of Litigation Technologies Subcommittee of Litigation Section)
Temple Emanuel of South Hills (Past President)
Legal Aid Society of Pittsburgh (past member of Board of Directors, 1988-1997)
Harvard Law School Association of Western Pennsylvania (past President)
Kenyon College Alumni Association, Pittsburgh Region (past President)