PHILADELPHIA, August 24, 2020 — Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce the promotion of six members to shareholders: Christopher J. Bellini, Joseph M. Kelleher, Kevin T. Kerns, Thomas Alan Lisk, Meridith H. Moldenhauer, and Valerie D. Rojas.
“We are excited to promote this distinguished group of attorneys,” said Michael J. Heller, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cozen O’Connor. “They have demonstrated a commitment to the firm, their clients, and the legal profession. We see this group as an integral part of the firm’s future success.”
Christopher J. Bellini is chair of Cozen O'Connor's Private Equity Practice. Chris concentrates his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and securities and compliance issues. His clients include private equity firms and their portfolio companies, public and private companies in a variety of industries, and investment banks. Chris’s mergers and acquisition practice focuses on representing strategic and private equity buyers and sellers on public and private acquisitions and divestitures, as well as representing boards of directors of public companies on their fiduciary duties in the context of a change of control.
Joseph M. Kelleher represents clients in a variety of commercial matters with a focus on the software industry, stranger-originated life insurance (STOLI), and other complex business disputes. In the insurance area, Joe represents insurers in declaratory judgment actions seeking to have STOLI policies declared void ab initio. He also represents insureds and/or their families in connection with the proceeds of such policies. In the software area, Joe represents clients in civil actions arising from the licensure and/or implementation of integrated business software solutions (ERP). Working closely with top experts in the field, he litigates across a broad spectrum of issues, including those related to license compliance, project management, solution architecture, hardware sizing, defect remediation, performance testing, and software maintenance and support.
Kevin T. Kerns has more than two decades of experience representing clients in a wide range of complex commercial, corporate, and appellate matters. These matters have included representing Fortune 500 companies in nationwide class actions, breach of fiduciary duty claims against officers and directors of public and private companies, claims for breach of contract between businesses and individuals, internal disputes between shareholders and partners in closely held businesses, and disputes arising out of real estate transactions. Kevin also serves as a trusted counselor and adviser to his clients outside of litigation and has counseled executives and entrepreneurs with regard to various business and corporate governance matters.
Thomas Alan Lisk focuses his practice on regulatory matters before agencies, boards, and commissions of the commonwealth of Virginia, including the State Corporation Commission. Tom is a registered lobbyist in Virginia, providing legislative representation of business interests and trade associations before the Virginia General Assembly since 1980. Tom also serves as legal and legislative counsel to the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association, representing the commonwealth’s restaurant and lodging industries. Tom represents clients in matters relating to beverage alcohol regulation, antitrust, election law, franchise, gaming and lottery, health care, insurance, Internet regulation, professional and occupational regulation, and issues related to privatization of governmental services.
Meridith H. Moldenhauer uses her real-world experience with her extensive legal knowledge to provide her clients with creative and results-driven legal advice. Armed with her in-depth business and regulatory background, Meridith works closely with developers, architects, contractors, property owners, and tenants as an integral member of their team. Meridith’s background in business, in conjunction with her regulatory experience, informs her approach to the practice of law and enables her to deliver realistic risk assessments and options, thus allowing her clients to proceed from an informed perspective. In addition to her focus on zoning, land use, and development, Meridith also possesses experience advising clients on a broad range of licensing, advertising, compliance, and distribution issues before the District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board.
Valerie D. Rojas focuses her litigation practice on insurance coverage and bad faith insurance claims, complex business claims, and claims against public entities, including school districts. Her cases range from single-plaintiff lawsuits to large, complex, multi-party actions. With her broad experience in state and federal courts, Valerie manages all phases of litigation, from discovery through trial. Valerie is a member of the Mexican American Bar Association, the Fidelity Law Association, and the Hispanic National Bar Association.