Philadelphia, September 7, 2017 — Cozen O’Connor is proud to announce the promotion of six members to shareholders of the firm: David Brisco (San Diego), Michael de Leeuw (New York), John Dickenson (West Palm Beach), Jonathan Lichtenstein (Philadelphia), William Walsh (Seattle), and Ingrid Welch (Philadelphia).
“We are honored to elevate these six members to shareholders of Cozen O’Connor,” said Michael J. Heller, president and chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor. “They have been integral in the firm's success and we know they will continue to guide our clients,” Michael J. Heller, president and chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor.
David Brisco is responsible for managing a subrogation litigation caseload in various legal areas, including product liability, negligence, construction defect and breach of warranties. David litigates a wide range of cases, including intensive product defect lawsuits against many of the largest consumer and commercial product manufacturers, as well as lawsuits against construction entities of all sizes for catastrophic construction losses.
Michael de Leeuw focuses his practice on complex litigation, including litigation involving securities, antitrust law, the First Amendment, defamation, mergers and acquisitions, and bankruptcy. Michael also advises clients on defamation and advertising issues.
John Dickenson focuses his practice in the area of insurance and reinsurance. He represents insurers and risk retention groups in complex coverage, claims handling, and bad faith litigation and also provides coverage and excess exposure opinions. He regularly counsels insurers on medical and legal professional liability, general liability, first-party property matters and directors' and officers' coverage.
John Lichtenstein focuses his practice on public finance and corporate and securities law. Jonathan has had extensive involvement in tax-exempt financings for municipalities, schools and universities, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities, professional organizations, national charitable organizations, museums, and other nonprofit organizations.
William Walsh concentrates his practice on a variety of general litigation matters with particular emphasis on aviation litigation and serves as the firm’s co-chair for the Aviation Practice Group. Bill is an experienced trial lawyer, having successfully represented a substantial number of corporate and individual clients in a broad range of complex civil cases including matters involving products liability, securities litigation, professional liability, personal injury, medical malpractice and medical device liability, environmental tort, maritime and admiralty, disability, aircraft accidents, eminent domain, real property disputes and employment discrimination.
Ingrid Welch has more than 30 years of legal experience in private equity fund formation, private placements, mergers and acquisitions, and SEC investment adviser and broker/dealer registration and compliance. Ingrid’s practice focuses on the needs of private equity and private real estate investment firms. She has represented private equity clients in all aspects of their transactional needs, including fund formation, private placements, securities regulation (including Regulation D and Investment Company Act of 1940 exemptions), acquisition, financing, and disposition of private companies and real estate, and advice regarding Dodd-Frank investment adviser compliance, broker/dealer issues, and other regulatory requirements that impact private equity funds.
“We are thrilled to recognize these six attorneys with the shareholder distinction,” said Vincent R. McGuinness, Jr., managing partner at Cozen O’Connor. “Every year we diligently select our new shareholders, and this group has a demonstrated commitment to the firm and our clients.’
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970 and ranked among the largest law firms in the United States, Cozen O’Connor has more than 925 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 32 cities across two continents.