Blogs

Cohen was instrumental in the building of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. and was a prominent lawyer who worked at the Justice Department and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before becoming the first African American partner at his Washington law firm. He passed away on December 25 at Washington Hospital Center from a pulmonary embolism.

Events DC President and Chief Executive Officer Gregory A. O’Dell issued the following statement regarding the passing of Cohen:

“Oh behalf of Events DC Board of Directors and staff, I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Vincent Cohen – a legendary figure in DC’s legal and hospitality community. A longtime District resident, Cohen was a pioneer in the DC business community as an outstanding trial lawyer and the first African American partner at the prestigious law firm of Hogan and Hartson (now Hogan Lovells). Among his many accomplishments, he will be remembered for his strong claim to building and staffing the state-of-the-art Walter E. Washington Convention Center, a meaningful monument for the District of Columbia. He chaired the board during its successful construction which was completed on time and within budget and even cut the ribbon at the grand opening on March 30, 2003. Additionally, he ensured that the Authority was the best organization to maximize the service levels of the Convention Center and that it remained committed to being a good neighbor to the nearby business and residential community. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on forever. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Diane, his three children and the entire Cohen family.”