Laura Newcomer Cohen
Partner
Laura is an experienced litigator who develops practical, results-oriented strategies to achieve her clients’ goals in resolving complex business disputes. She has represented clients in a wide variety of cases, including contract claims, real estate litigation, partnership and LLC disputes, business torts, and bankruptcy litigation. Laura strives to achieve the best possible results for her clients through focused and efficient legal counsel.
She has a proven track record of success in all stages of litigation, from pre-suit negotiations and alternative dispute resolution to trial and appeal. Laura has secured favorable outcomes for clients in both state and federal courts, including obtaining significant judgments and settlements in high-stakes cases.
Laura graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law, where she served as an editor for the Frederick Green Moot Court. She is licensed to practice in Illinois and admitted to the Trial Bar for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Laura joined Esbrook P.C. in January 2025 after 14 years of litigating at boutique firms in Champaign and Chicago, Illinois.
Selected Breach-of-Contract Litigation
- Obtained summary judgment for owner of $30 million mixed-use development to defeat claim for breach of a development consulting agreement.
- Represented international commodities supplier in seven-figure supply contract and fraud dispute.
- After trial, obtained judgment on a personal guaranty of a commercial lease where guarantor disputed signature.
- After mediation, achieved favorable settlement of breach of a business broker commission agreement, with such settlement including resolution of breach of fiduciary duty and eavesdropping counterclaims.
Selected Business Torts Litigation
- First chaired federal fraud trial resulting in rescission of real estate purchase agreement and recovery of all expenses and attorneys’ fees.
- Defended live entertainment company against claims for fraud, tortious interference, negligent misrepresentation, and commercial disparagement.
- Prosecuted an LLC derivative action achieving 95% recovery of member’s misappropriated investment.
- Defeated fraud and rescission action seeking to undo sale of West Loop commercial property.
Selected Real Estate Litigation
- Obtained summary judgment on commercial real estate broker lien claim where broker was excluded from deal negotiations, with the appellate court affirming the decision on appeal.
- Represented national restaurant group tenant in easement and condominium declaration dispute with high-rise condominium association.
- Represented construction company in mechanic’s lien claim against community college campus, achieving favorable settlement with resolution of construction defect claims.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of owner on mechanic’s lien claim against $8.5 million redevelopment project in Pilsen.
Selected Bankruptcy Litigation
- Represented bankruptcy trustee in adversary proceeding to recover assets from debtor’s alter ego entities, resulting in seven-figure settlement in favor of the bankruptcy estate and its creditors.
- Defended corporate representative in contempt proceedings in chapter 11 proceeding and subsequent appeal.
- Represented creditor in adversary proceeding based on debtor’s misrepresentations during bankruptcy proceeding, resulting in debtor waiving bankruptcy discharge.