Nelson Mullins Sued for Deceased Partner’s Pay Amid Cancer Fight

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP allegedly cheated a former partner out of almost $2 million he earned as he worked through medical treatment for brain cancer, his widow claims.

Adrienne Cohen is suing the firm on behalf of her husband, Bret Cohen, a labor and employment attorney who died in June 2023 after a 14-month battle with cancer. She claims the firm is refusing to pay his estate the money he earned in the firm’s 2021-22 fiscal year, when he generated significant revenue for the firm while navigating brain surgery and cancer treatment.

“Nelson Mullins made the truly shocking decision to refuse to pay Bret the compensation he earned, and was entitled to, for the 2021-2022 fiscal year which was likely more than $1,900,000.00,” according to the complaint filed in Massachusetts Superior Court.

Cohen went on short-term disability leave in June 2022 as his health worsened, during which the firm decided his compensation for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, according to the complaint. He went on long-term disability in November 2022, “transitioning his new and existing clients to other attorneys” as his health declined, the complaint said.

Cohen’s widow wants the compensation she claims her husband was entitled to, as well as treble damages for allegedly violating the Massachusetts Wage Act.

“We are saddened by Bret’s death and our hearts continue to be with his family,” said a Nelson Mullins spokesperson. “Regarding his compensation from the Firm, we carefully applied the provisions of our Partnership Agreement to ensure he was appropriately renumerated.”

The case is Cohen v. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Mass. Super. Ct., No. 2484-CV-00283, complaint 1/31/24.