Our dedicated team of more than 45 employees is comprised of legal and medical professionals with decades of experience in ERISA and state law, commercial insurance, billing, and coding, and federal and state regulatory agencies. Our reputation for successfully handling claims especially reviving claims that our clients have written-off is a direct result of our team’s collaborative approached to each and every claim.
Attorneys
Leslie Howard, Esq.
Leslie Howard, Esq., is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cohen Howard, a law firm dedicated solely to representing out-of-network providers, to increase their reimbursements from commercial insurance companies and third-party administrators. Being in the trenches every day with the insurance companies, combined with her expertise in ERISA and state healthcare law regulations allows her to be nimble in overcoming the insurance industry barriers faced by providers today. She is a member of the New Jersey and New York bar for over 25 years. A graduate of Fordham Law School, Leslie has worked in various niches across the law industry from an associate in the national insurance litigation law firm Anderson Kill Olick & Oshinsky to real estate and immigration before discovering her true passion for healthcare law. This passion derives from her desire to help right injustice, an ambition she has had since her early days of visiting the municipal courts with her father. She cites her own personal battle with insurance companies over her son’s health conditions as the profound moment she knew she needed to champion for change. Her flair for risk-taking and disregard for failure is seen in her drive to advocate for providers nationwide.
Aside from her business, her greatest life achievement is her two children, Jonathan and Alexandra, whom she shares with her loving and supportive husband of over 20 years, Matthew. She resides with her family in Little Silver, New Jersey. In her spare time, Leslie enjoys both singular and group exercising and physical activities as well as reading inspiring nonfictional journeys of people who have had to overcome great odds. A self-proclaimed “adventure seeker,” Leslie loves to try new things and seeks the company of those who enjoy adventure and laughter as much as she does.
Job Title: Founder, Managing Partner
Email: [email protected]
Matthew Cohen, Esq.
As Co-Founder of Cohen Howard, Matthew plays an integral advisory role in the planning and execution of the law firm’s direction, including its business strategies to improve operations, profitability, management, and structure. In the 1990s, the Rutgers’ alumnus developed his skills and reputation as one of New Jersey’s rising attorneys in real estate and corporate, founding Two Rivers Title Company, LLC as well as becoming Co-founder of Cohen Howard. Matthew is a lifetime champion for political causes, conservation, and other non-profits. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Monmouth Conservation Foundation; is a board member for STEAMPark, a non-profit that provides educational, emotional, and wellness support for children in under-served communities; and serves on the New Jersey State Bar Association Board of Consultors, Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section, as well as is a Trustee for the Monmouth County Bar Association. Matthew is a lecturer and continuing education instructor on a range of subjects for the State and County Bars. Together with his wife, co-founder, Leslie Howard, they have a daughter Alexandra, a son Jonathan, as well as their pets, Romeo and Juliet.
Job Title: Founder, Partner
Email: [email protected]
Robin Mack, Esq.
With more than 25 years of legal experience, Robin heads the firm’s prelitigation department, representing medical providers pursuing insurance reimbursement once administrative appeals have been exhausted. Her expertise in ERISA and state healthcare regulations enables her to craft innovative arguments while maintaining the respect of the insurance companies, resulting in favorable settlements for her clients. Before joining Cohen Howard, the New York native worked as an in-house counsel for a real estate firm, then took a career break to raise her children. She received her J.D. from New York Law School after completing undergraduate studies at SUNY Binghamton and now resides in Marlboro Township with her husband, Brian, and their sons, where they enjoy rooting for the Giants and Mets.
Job Title: Senior Counsel
Email: [email protected]
Michael Fried, Esq.
Michael F. Fried manages Cohen Howard’s Litigation Department. In this role, Michael is dedicated to representing out-of-network providers in disputed medical claim reimbursement matters. Prior to joining Cohen Howard, Michael was a partner at a law firm that represented medical providers nationwide in disputes with commercial health insurance companies. Michael has over twenty years of experience working on sophisticated litigations against commercial health insurance companies that resulted in settlements valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
During his career, Michael has practiced law at two of the largest law firms in New Jersey and served as General Counsel for a publicly traded company. He has litigated insurance, commercial, partnership, and employment law cases in both State and Federal courts. Michael has also represented physicians in transactional matters, and he has handled securities, corporate, and real estate law matters.
Michael attended The George Washington University Law School. He is a member of the Bars of New York and New Jersey, and he is admitted to the District of New Jersey, the Southern District of New York, the District of Colorado, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Michael lives in Highland Park with his wife, three kids, and two dogs.
Job Title: Senior Counsel
Email: [email protected]
Kathleen Ryan, Esq.
Kathleen Ryan, Esq. has been a member of the New Jersey Bar since 1990. She received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and her B.A. in Communications from Ramapo College of New Jersey. She is a pivotal member of the firm’s prelitigation department and is focused on settling matters that are not resolved during the administrative appeal process. Prior to joining Cohen Howard, Kate worked at the law firm of Reisman and Sharp, which specialized in medical malpractice defense and then as a Claims Supervisor for Zurich American Insurance Company, working on medical malpractice claims. She also spent several years working in the area of bankruptcy law. Kate and her husband Dan are the proud parents of three amazing daughters and a Yorkie. In her spare time, Kate volunteers for Make Some Noise Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and loves books, film, and theater.
Job Title: Associate
Email: [email protected]
Gabrielle Charette, Esq.
Gabrielle Charette, Esq. received her Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers School of Law in 1999 and was admitted to the practice of law that same year in New Jersey and then in the District of Columbia in 2001. Before joining Cohen Howard, Gabrielle had a long career in higher education and New Jersey state government including appointments at the Department of Banking and Insurance and the Department of Health. Gabrielle lives in Hunterdon County with her husband, Bill, and their beloved pets. She enjoys long walks along the scenic Delaware River.
Job Title: Senior Associate
Email: [email protected]
Management
Amy Wilkins
Amy Wilkins is Chief Operating Officer at Cohen Howard, a law firm that specializes in maximizing reimbursements for under-reimbursed and denied out-of-network medical claims on behalf of providers, nationwide. Amy oversees all matters and leads a cross-functional team of legal professionals and medical specialists servicing over 150 clients with more than $500 M in disputed medical claims. With extensive knowledge of commercial insurance, ERISA, and her unparalleled drive to exceed client expectations, Amy is laser-focused on maximizing revenue on each case submitted to the firm. Prior to joining Cohen Howard in 2013, Amy worked for Clifford Chance US LLP, one of the largest international law firms, located in New York City where she concentrated on operational excellence and developed her strong business acumen. Amy, a New Jersey native, grew up in Monmouth County. She and her husband Chris are raising their two daughters in Middletown, New Jersey, and enjoy all aspects of living near the shore.
Job Title: Chief Operating Officer
Email: [email protected]
Kelley O’Connor
Kelley O’Connor brings over 15 years of experience in marketing strategy, planning, and execution, and is focused on elevating Cohen Howard’s brand identity and market presence as an industry leader in maximizing claim reimbursements. As the Director of New Business Development and Marketing, she is responsible for driving all marketing efforts to achieve business growth and service excellence. Prior to joining the firm, Kelley served as Operations Manager to Hackensack Meridian Health, where she launched various programs to increase operational efficiencies, improve service recovery, and guide vulnerable patient populations on self-management of chronic conditions. She has cultivated her strong business acumen over her 10 years of progressive management and leadership roles at AT&T and strives to infuse ‘grace, grit and gravitas’ in all that she does. Kelley holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Manhattan College and currently resides in Little Silver, NJ with her husband Paul and their two sons.
Job Title: Director, Business Development and Marketing
Email: [email protected]
Karen MacDonald
Since 2016, Karen is an integral part of the Cohen Howard team. Using her strong medical knowledge and experience, she has developed the processes and procedures for the pre-certification service department and plays a key role in researching claim denials and formulating medical arguments for complex administrative appeals. Prior to joining Cohen Howard, Karen spent 14 years in the healthcare sector working at one of the largest insurance companies in the US as well as for a private practice, where she led the billing and coding operations.
Karen is an alumna of Monmouth University’s biology program, and she currently lives in Eatontown, New Jersey with her husband Bruce and their dog Ranger. She relaxes by reading non-fiction – mainly autobiographies.
Job Title: Complex Claims Analyst
Email: [email protected]
Heidi Hoffsommer
With over 30 years’ experience in the corporate insurance industry, Heidi Hoffsommer applies her insurance industry experience in supervising our highly skilled team of Appeals Specialists. Heidi previously worked at AIG and Prudential Financial where the scope of her supervisory responsibilities included researching and reviewing state healthcare laws and regulations, experimental and investigational healthcare procedures, and written appeals for the Claim Examining Unit.
Heidi volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and is an avid reader. She is a devoted and beloved mother of three grown children and resides in Metuchen, New Jersey.
Job Title: Supervisor, Appeals Department
Email: [email protected]
Susan Herman Schwartz
Susan Herman Schwartz is a key member of the Cohen Howard Regulatory Department. She brings a deep understanding of resolving claim disputes through federal and state regulatory agencies. Her knowledge and skills were honed during her long-standing career with Cigna including 10 years in the Regulatory Division and 8 years in the Claims Resolution Unit. Susan finds managing claim resolutions gratifying both in terms of helping to increase reimbursements for providers and reducing patients’ financial obligations. Susan and her husband, who reside in Dalton, Pennsylvania, have two accomplished adult children, a daughter and a son, a lovely daughter-in-law, and two beloved granddaughters. Susan is an avid reader and enjoys golf, jigsaw puzzles, and knitting in her spare time. Susan graduated with a BS in Political Science from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Job Title: Regulatory Analyst
Email: [email protected]
Susan Urso
With over 40 years’ experience in the corporate insurance industry, Susan Urso brings a deep understanding of resolving claim disputes gained during her career including 10 years working in Cigna’s Legal Department and Cigna’s Claim Resolution Units. In her role at Cohen Howard, Susan applies her specialized knowledge and experience in the Appeal and Post Appeal Departments. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with an Associate Degree as a Paralegal. Susan resides in Windsor Locks, Connecticut with her husband Mark and their dog Sadie. She is a devoted mother to her two daughters and her son-in-law and in her free time, Susan enjoys exercise, reading and spending time with her friends and family.
Job Title: Post Appeal Specialist
Email: [email protected]