PITTSBURGH – August 10, 2020 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies today announced Kevin Kerr — who recently served as a public policy and government affairs leader at national technology stalwart Uber Technologies Inc.— will launch its Western Pennsylvania government relations and public affairs expansion. Kerr, who brings strong bipartisan ties within Pittsburgh’s city government and throughout Western Pennsylvania, will also play a key role in assisting the group’s growing government relations practices in Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

Kerr joins the organization as a principal and will drive all Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies’ Western Pennsylvania initiatives. He most recently spent four years with Uber Technologies, first as the company’s community operations manager for Pennsylvania and New York, and then as Uber’s head of state and local public policy in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. His ties to Pittsburgh’s city government include four years serving as community relations manager and chief of staff for then Pittsburgh City Council President Bruce A. Kraus.

“Kevin bolsters our already robust state-wide government relations offerings in Philadelphia and Harrisburg by providing direct, full-scope services to clients in Western Pennsylvania,” said Howard Schweitzer, CEO of Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies. “Recognized as one of the state’s top up-and-coming government relations professionals, he’ll provide comprehensive advocacy and lobbying services to a range of clients. He’s the perfect choice to help us plant our flag in Western Pennsylvania.”

“As someone born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, Kevin brings a great understanding of the landscape and our technology community, a tremendous set of skills and a unique and impressive track record, one that embodies both public service and work in the private sector,” added Jeremy Garvey, office managing partner of the Pittsburgh office. “After years of experience with the city of Pittsburgh, he built and managed government services operations from the ground up with a fast-growing, marquee technology company. He’s a key part of our state-wide expansion strategy and we are thrilled to welcome him to Cozen O'Connor and our team in Pittsburgh.”

Kerr currently serves on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Autonomous Vehicle Policy Task Force, which is preparing draft legislative policy recommendations for testing automated vehicles in Pennsylvania. On the local level, he’s a member of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee and recently completed a term as vice president of the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization focused on economic development and community engagement in Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington & Duquesne Heights neighborhoods.

After earning his B.A. in urban policy and political science at the University of Pittsburgh, Kerr completed two executive education programs in strategy and leadership with Harvard Business School. He is also an alumnus of Leadership Pittsburgh’s Leadership Development Initiative.

“I've spent the last decade building and expanding my professional relationships in Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania, so I understand the dynamics of the region,” Kerr said. “Having served on numerous nonprofit and community boards and worked at the forefront of several cutting-edge technology enterprises, both in the city and beyond, I'm thrilled to be able to bring my knowledge base to Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. Big things are happening in Pittsburgh, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.”

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans numerous major industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 825 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 offices across two continents. 

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