Counsel to the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command

Harold A. Cohn

Harold A. Cohn is the Counsel for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego, California. Mr. Cohn serves as the principal legal advisor to SPAWAR, the Program Executive Officer, Enterprise Information Systems, the Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence, the Program Executive Officer for Space Systems and the Joint Program Executive Officer for the Joint Tactical Radio System as well as all SPAWAR field activities. He oversees the headquarters and field office attorneys in providing legal advice and services necessary for SPAWAR to accomplish its mission.

Mr. Cohn began his Office of General Counsel career in 1977 at the Automatic Data Processing Selection Office where he rose to the position of Deputy Counsel. From July 1980 to March 1994, Mr. Cohn was an Associate Counsel for the Naval Sea Systems Command in Arlington, Va. ultimately serving as the Shipbuilding Section Deputy and as Head of the Shipbuilding Claims Group. As the Deputy in the Shipbuilding Section, Mr. Cohn provided counsel to a number of shipbuilding programs and handled the Naval Sea Systems Command’s out leasing program for both real and personal property, as well as their ship donation program. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Cohn served as Lead Counsel on the A-12 Integrated Program Team, reporting directly to the General Counsel of the Navy. In addition, he served as part of the IPT senior management team involved in making all operational and management decisions for the operation and conduct of the work of the A-12 IPT. From Nov. 1996 to Sept. 1998, Mr. Cohn served as Deputy Counsel at SPAWAR, and from September 1998 until July 1999, as Acting Counsel at SPAWAR. Mr. Cohn became a member of the Senior Executive Service and assumed his current position as Counsel for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command in July 1999.

Mr. Cohn served six years in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve from June 1968 to June 1974. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from American University in 1972. In 1975, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Louisville, School of Law. Mr. Cohn also completed a graduate program receiving a Master of Laws degree in 1979 at the George Washington University School of Law.

Mr. Cohn is a recipient of the Superior Service Award, two Meritorious Service Awards and numerous Special Act Awards. He is a member of the District of Columbia and Kentucky bars.