Jerome Andrew Cohen (born August 8, 1930) is an American attorney, legal scholar, and expert on Chinese law. He is best known for his long‑standing tenure as the Lawrence D. Bell Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, where he founded and directed the Center for Chinese Legal Studies (later the China Law Center). Cohen has served as a consultant to the United States government on legal and human‑rights issues related to the People’s Republic of China and has authored numerous articles and books on Chinese legal development, international law, and human rights.
Early life and education
Jerome A. Cohen was born in New York City. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University in 1949 and received his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Columbia Law School in 1952. After completing his legal education, Cohen served in the United States Army for a brief period before beginning his legal career.
Legal career
Following military service, Cohen practiced law at the New York firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore. He later served as a law clerk to Judge J. Edward Lumbard of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In the 1960s, Cohen began to focus on legal matters concerning East Asia, particularly China, and became a frequent adviser to U.S. governmental agencies, including the Department of State and the National Security Council, on policy and legal issues involving China.
Academic career
In 1965, Cohen joined the faculty of Columbia Law School. He was appointed the Lawrence D. Bell Professor of Law in 1977. Recognizing the growing importance of Chinese law, he established Columbia’s Center for Chinese Legal Studies in 1983, which later evolved into the China Law Center. Through the center, Cohen promoted scholarly research, student exchanges, and U.S.–China legal dialogue. He has taught courses on Chinese law, comparative law, and international human rights law, and has supervised graduate research on Chinese legal reforms.
Publications
Cohen’s scholarly output includes more than 150 articles, book chapters, and reports. Notable works include:
- China’s Legal System: A Guide for the West (co‑author, 1995) – a comprehensive overview of Chinese legal institutions for foreign practitioners.
- The Making of the Chinese Legal System (editor, 2000) – a collection of essays examining the evolution of law in the People’s Republic of China.
- Human Rights in China: An Overview (2004) – a survey of human‑rights issues and legal developments in China.
He has also contributed to legal periodicals such as the Harvard International Law Journal and the Columbia Law Review.
Government service and advocacy
Cohen has served as a consultant and adviser to multiple U.S. administrations on matters concerning Chinese law, trade, and human rights. He was a member of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and has testified before Congress on legislative proposals affecting U.S.–China relations. Throughout his career, Cohen has advocated for the protection of Chinese dissidents and for the development of an independent rule of law in China.
Honors and awards
Cohen’s contributions have been recognized by a number of professional and academic organizations, including:
- The American Bar Association’s International Law Section’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to International Law (1998).
- Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2002).
- The Order of the Sacred Tripod (Taiwan) for contributions to legal scholarship (2005).
Personal life
Cohen is married and has two children. He continues to reside in New York City and remains active in scholarly and policy circles related to Chinese law and human rights.
Legacy
Jerome A. Cohen is widely regarded as a pioneering figure in the study of Chinese law in the United States. His work helped shape both academic understanding of China’s legal transformation and U.S. policy approaches toward legal and human‑rights issues in the People’s Republic of China.