
Deborah Cohn
Principal
301-229-5023
Thank you for working with me here at Paley Rothman. After many years with the firm, I will be retiring.
Existing clients can contact me using the updated information above.
It has been a privilege serving as your counsel over the years and my best wishes for the future!
Maryland
District of Columbia
J.D., With Honors, George Washington University National Law Center, 1978
A.B., Cum Laude, Bryn Mawr College, 1974
Best Lawyers in America - Best Lawyers (2015-2023)
- Trusts and EstatesBest Law Firms – U.S. News & Best Lawyers
- Tier 2 National Ranking for Trusts & Estates
- Tier 1 Metropolitan (D.C. area) Ranking for Trusts & Estates"Top Lawyers" - Washingtonian Magazine (2018, 2020, 2022)
“Washington’s Best Lawyers,” Trusts and Estates, Washingtonian Magazine (2017)
Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (2011-present)
Maryland Super Lawyers (2014-2023)
Washington D.C. Super Lawyers (2014-2020)
“Top Estate Attorneys,” Washington Metro Area, Washingtonian Magazine (2012, 2016)
“Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Montgomery County, Maryland,” Bethesda Magazine (2011)
- Eight Paley Rothman Attorneys Named in the Washingtonian’s 2022 Top Lawyers List
- Paley Rothman Earns National and Local Honors in U.S. News “Best Law Firms” 2023 Rankings
- 19 Paley Rothman Attorneys Selected 2023 Best Lawyers ® in America
- 14 Paley Rothman Attorneys Named to the 2023 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- Paley Rothman Earns National and Local Honors in U.S. News “Best Law Firms” 2022 Rankings
- 10 Paley Rothman Attorneys Named as Maryland Super Lawyers and Two Attorneys Named as Maryland Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2022
- Paula Calimafde Named 2022 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in the Washington, D.C. Area and 21 Paley Rothman Attorneys Selected Best Lawyers in America
- Glenn Cooper No. 1, 13 Paley Rothman Attorneys Named to the 2021 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- Six Attorneys Named “Top Lawyers” by Washingtonian Magazine - December 2020 Issue
- Twenty Paley Rothman Attorneys Selected to 2021 Best Lawyers in America
- Glenn Cooper Top 10, 14 Paley Rothman Attorneys Named to the 2020 Washington D.C. Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- 14 Paley Rothman Attorneys Named to the 2020 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
- Seventeen Paley Rothman Attorneys Selected to 2020 Best Lawyers in America
- 6 Paley Rothman Attorneys Named “Top Lawyers” by Washingtonian Magazine
- 3 Paley Rothman Attorneys Named to “Best Lawyers” List by Washingtonian
- Deborah Cohn Accepted into the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
- Deborah Cohn Chosen as Chair-Elect of MD State Bar Associations Estates & Trust Law Section Council
- Deborah Cohn Elected a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Deborah Cohn Named Chair of the Maryland State Bar Association’s Estate & Trust Section Council
- Deborah Cohn Named to Washington Metro Area’s Top Estate Attorney List
- Debbie Cohn Interviewed for Alumni Gift Planning Newsletter
- Deborah Cohn and Jeffrey Kolender Present to World Bank
- Deborah Cohn and Robert Maclay Present to World Bank
- Deborah Cohn and Robert Maclay Present to World Bank
- Deborah Cohn Interviews on WBAL Radio
- Deborah Cohn Makes Speeches to Three Organizations
- Deborah Cohn Participates in National Business Institute Seminar
- Deborah Cohn Presents as Part of D.C. Bar CLE Annual “Basic Estate Planning Series”
- Deborah Cohn Presents to 1818 Society
- Deborah Cohn Presents to Suburban Hospital Estate Planning Journal Club
- Deborah Cohn Spoke at The World Bank
- Deborah Cohn Writes Column for Spring 2013 Issue of the MSBA Newsletter
- Jeffrey Kolender and Deborah Cohn Participated in a “Business Toolbox Seminar”
- Robert Maclay and Deborah Cohn Give Estate Planning Presentation to World Bank
- Robert Maclay and Deborah Cohn Present Estate Planning Seminar at World Bank
- Robert Maclay and Deborah Cohn Present on Estate Planning
"Notes from the Chair: Maryland Legislative Update,” (article on legislative successes and ongoing legislative efforts of the Section in the 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly), MSBA Section of Estate and Trust Law Newsletter, Vol. 22, No. 2 (2013)
“Notes from the Chair,” (article on a risk based approach to combating money laundering and terrorist financing), MSBA Section of Estate and Trust Law Newsletter (2013)
“Now About That Chalet in Grenoble? International Estate Planning,” Maryland Bar Journal, Vol. XLII, Number 5 (2009)
“Will Drafting,” Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (2009, 2007, 2005)
“Estate and Income Tax Planning for Non-U.S. Citizens,” Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (2008)
“Tax Traps and Pitfalls for Estates and Estate Planners,” Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (2006)
“Taking Maximum Advantage of Retirement Plan Assets,” co-authored, Maryland Bar Journal, Vol. XXXVI, Number 2 (2003)
“Retirement Plans and Deferred Compensation Plans for Tax Exempt Organizations,” co-authored, New York University - Review of Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation (2003)
“Non-Tax Practical Considerations in Estate Planning,” LORMAN (2002)
“Estate and Business Planning with IRAs and Qualified Retirement Plan Accounts,” Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (2002)
“Small Business and the Cafeteria Plan,” co-authored, New York University - Review of Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation (2002)
“Increasing Small Plan Formation: A Blueprint for Congressional Action for the Next Five Years,” New York University - Proceedings of the Fifty-Ninth Institute on Federal Taxation (2001)
“401K Safe Harbors Work for Small Business,” New York University - Proceedings of the Fifty-Eighth Institute on Federal Taxation (2000)
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - Fellow; Member, Financial Action Task Force on Money-Laundering (2012-present); International Estate Planning Committee (2014-present)
Estate and Trust Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association - Past Co-Chair
International Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP-USA) - Member
Washington D.C. Estate Planning Council - Member
Estate and Trust Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association – Past Chair (2012)
United Jewish Endowment Fund - Trustee (2005-2011)
Jewish Federation of Greater Washington - Past Treasurer (2001-2004)
Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County - Vice President for Finance and Development
Jewish Community Relations Council, United Jewish Communities – Past Director
National Women’s Philanthropy Board, United Jewish Communities – Past Director
"Estate & Gift Taxes for U.S. Citizens," World Bank Pension Department Pre-Retirement Seminar (2017)
"International Estate Planning: Case Study," MSBA 2017 International Estate Planning Conference (2017)
“Estate Planning for U.S. Citizens, Residents and Non-Residents,” 1818 Society of the World Bank Group (2015)
“Elder Financial Abuse and Fraud,” Suburban Hospital Estate Planning Journal Club (2014)
“International Estate Planning,” World Bank Pension Department Pre-Retirement Seminars (2007-2015)
“Who is in the Family? Changing Definitions of Child, Issue, Spouse and Marriage in Maryland,” Judicial Institute of Maryland (2013)
“Legislative Wins and Losses in the 2012 Maryland General Assembly,” Advanced Estate Planning Institute, Maryland State Bar Association (2012)
“What to Expect in the Maryland General Assembly in 2013,” Annual Meeting of the Maryland Association of Judges of the Orphans’ Courts (2012)
“Understanding the Role of the Personal Representative,” National Business Institute (2011)
“Taking the First Steps: Filing an Estate in Probate Court,” National Business Institute (2011)
“Succession Planning for Business Owners,” The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce (2011)
“Basic Estate Planning for the Mid-Sized Estate of $2 Million to $10 Million,” District of Columbia Bar Association Continuing Legal Education (2011)
“Using and Drafting Trusts in Estate Planning: Marital Deduction Trusts and Life Insurance Trusts,” Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (2011, 2009, 2007, 2005)
“Eight Greatest Estate Planning Techniques in Maryland: Estate Planning for Non-U.S. Citizens, GRATs and Sales to Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts,” LORMAN (2003)