MERRILL A. COHEN

Dynamic vocational rehabilitation and life care planning professional with a strong track record of providing expert testimony in various legal contexts, including personal injury, medical malpractice, marriage dissolution, employment, worker's compensation and disability appeals cases. Proven ability to navigate complex litigation environments without exclusion from testimony in any venue.Recognized as an expert in both federal and state courts, with successful admissions in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. Consistently delivers insightful analyses while demonstrating an unwavering commitment to professional integrity and excellence.

• International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP)
• International Academy of Life Care Planners (IALCP)
• Community Groups: Cascade Valley figure Skating Club, West Highland White Terrier Club of Puget Sound, Ladies of the Kraken

• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor #35083, March 1997 Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
• Certified Life Care Planner, #1011, December 2008 Commission on Health Care Certification
• Registered Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, 1994 Counselor #8841; Provider #218134, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Approved Vocational Expert, 2005 U.S. Social Security Administration Office of Hearing Operations
• Approved Rehabilitation Specialist Alaska Department of Labor Alaska Workers' Compensation Board

• Podcast Guest, Roundtable Group, Engaging Experts, June 2025
• Presenter, “Ask the VE: All things SSD/SSI - No Question Too Big Or Too Small.” National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) Annual Conference, June 2022.
• “The Gig Economy: How the Modern Workforce is Changing,” WA IARP Winter Newsletter – January 2019
• Presenter, “Vocational Services under the Longshore and Harborworker’s Program.” Washington State International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals Annual Conference, May, 2017.
• Presenter, “Quantifying Economic Damages: The Roles & Relationships of Experts.” WSAJ Thurston County Roundtable, April 2017
• Presenter, “Maritime Worker’s Compensation: Rehabilitation under Alaska State, U.S. Longshore and Harborworkers, and Jones Act.” People’s Injury Network Northwest (PINN), March 2016
• Presenter, “Complex Issues In Vocational Evaluation Under The Washington State Industrial Insurance And Federal Social Security Rules.” Washington Law Center, January 2016
• Presenter, “Defending Against Wage Loss Claims in Jones Act and Longshore Cases,” Puget Sound Marine Claims Association, Seattle, WA, September 2015
• Presenter, “There is Light Duty on the Waterfront,” Northwest Longshore Administrators Fall Meeting, September 2013, Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon
• Presenter, “Vocational Evaluation in Marital Dissolution,” McKinley Irvin lecture series, March 2015
• Presenter, “Vocational Issues in Maritime Claims,” Puget Sound Marine Claims Association, March 18, 2010.

· International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (IARP)

· International  Academy of Life Care Planners (IALCP)

Community Groups: Cascade Valley Figure Skating Club, West Highland White Terrier Club of Puget Sound, Ladies of the Kraken