Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen is the Founder and Managing Partner of Brighton Capital Advisors, a commercial real estate advisory firm specializing in representing borrowers and their attorneys in CMBS and CLO loan servicing workouts. A pioneer in CMBS, he has worked across the full securitization lifecycle—including underwriting, origination, ratings, and distribution—throughout his 30 years in the industry. Cohen previously served as the Southeast and Midwest Regional Director for Citi, UBS, and Deutsche Bank. He is credited with starting the CMBS platforms at First Union and Column Financial. Known for his deep lender and servicer relationships and a hands-on client approach, Cohen delivers strategic financing solutions across market cycles. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s degree in Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate from Boston University.