“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Judge Avern Cohn, a friend, mentor, role model, collaborator, and a cousin of the Center’s founder and chair, the late Senator Carl Levin,” said Levin Center Director Jim Townsend. “Throughout his lengthy and remarkably varied career, Judge Cohn had an extraordinary impact on the law and our community.”
“As recently as the fall of 2020, the Levin Center had the privilege of hosting a panel discussion on Detroit’s civilian oversight of the police which featured Judge Cohn and Senator Levin where Judge Cohn shared his insights as an early member of the Detroit Police Commission. Then as always Judge Cohn was sharp, candid, and full of wit. He was truly one of a kind,” Townsend concluded.
Eugene Driker, a long-time friend of Judge Cohn and chair of the Levin Center’s Advisory Board said:
“Judge Avern Cohn was a titan of the federal bench in Detroit for four decades. His intellect and judgment were extraordinary and his capacity for work limitless. He served as a mentor to new judges on the court, many of whom continued to seek his guidance on difficult issues. Judge Cohn had a brusque demeanor, which sometimes camouflaged his humanity and his concern for people and their needs. Throughout his judicial career he remained deeply connected to his community and to its problems. How many leading Detroiters, when confronted with a difficult issue, have instinctively said: “Why don’t we see what Avern has to say about this.” He was a good friend of Wayne State University, at which he and his sister established the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies, and to The Levin Center, which so clearly reflected the importance he attached to the protection of democratic institutions.”
“We mourn the passing of this exceptional American.”
