Michael is a Wall Street veteran with more than 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. In addition to managing director, he serves as a financial advisor, thought leader and bond/fixed income specialist.

His goal is to help our clients achieve financial independence, serve as their confidant and provide guidance for all aspects of their lives – from how to help their children manage inheritance, to helping aging individuals caring for their family members, to teaching parents how to raise financially savvy children.

Michael enjoys working with investments because of the problem-solving element, the opportunity to have personal involvement with people, and the entrepreneurial aspect of the industry. He considers investing an art, not a science. Michael continues to work because, to him, it’s a labor of love. He also finds great pleasure in working alongside his son, Ben, and seeing him accept the mantle of leadership and decision-making.

Before bringing Cohen Financial Management to Raymond James in 2014, Michael was a Managing Director at JP Morgan and Bear Stearns. He was also the Retail Option Coordinator for Chicago at Bear Stearns, which was acquired by JP Morgan in 2008.

Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Roosevelt University, where he was the top accounting student. He went on to earn an MBA from Indiana University, where he taught tax accounting while pursuing his doctorate.

Michael is an active member of the theatre-going community in Chicago, as well as New York, where he and his wife maintain an apartment and spend one week a month. They are current subscribers of the Roundabout Theatre in New York, the Manhattan Theatre Club, Steppenwolf Theatre and Writers Theater in Glencoe.

A Chicago native, Michael lives in Bannockburn, Illinois, with his wife, Edie. They have three grown children, Jonathan, Adam and Ben.