Yesterday, I received the sad news that Jerome A. Cohen passed away on September 22, 2025. Jerry was a teacher, mentor, and a friend to generations of Chinese law students, including me. He was a remarkable individual who I was privileged to know and work with at several points in my careers.
To clarify: he was not a relative, although he would sometimes jokingly say: “we aren’t relatives, but I am prepared to adopt Mark.”
I first heard of Jerry before I started law school. A cousin of mine told me nearly fifty years ago that “if he you ever meet Jerry Cohen when you study Chinese law, tell him that ‘Phil’ — says hello.” Shortly thereafter, I walked up to him and delivered the message. I drew only a blank stare.
About 45 years after this incident, I decided it was time to revisit it. I called up “Phil” to obtain more details. Afterwards, I asked Jerry “did you know a Phil S…in Linden NJ?”. “Why, yes” he said, “I was in the same class as his older brother. How is he doing?”
The mystery was solved. Within a week, I was able to arrange a telephone call among Jerry, Phil and Phil’s brother.
Jerry’s role in Chinese law was a blessing to us all. Many of us remember him for his brilliance, or his warmth, or his dedication to human rights. He was all these things and more. He will be deeply missed. z’l (an abbreviation of the Hebrew for “may his memory be a blessing.”)
Here is one of the many obituaries of Jerry:
Categories: China IPR
China IPR - Intellectual Property Developments in China 
It is very sad news indeed to learn of Jerry’s passing. He ensured that I survived at HLS, where I think I served as his first JD student research assistant. I worked in a group of mainly LLM students on his famous book on Chinese criminal law. I also had the pleasure to learn from him in all his courses and then again as RA on Vietnamese law and for his course on Law and Revolution taught with Seymour Martin Lipset. Many years have passed, and his presence, personality, kindness, generosity and work have inspired me throughout my life. My sincere condoleances to his family. Jerry, thank you and may you rest in peace. As ever, Francis Snyder
On Wed, 24 Sept 2025 at 15:00, China IPR – Intellectual Property Developments
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