WASHINGTON, D.C. – NOVEMBER 8, 2021 – Cozen O’Connor continues to focus on its health care expansion with the recent addition of James Billings-Kang to the firm’s Washington, D.C., Health Care Practice. In his new position, Billings-Kang will advise the firm’s health care clients in connection with litigation matters arising from provider-payor disputes, False Claims Act matters, private equity transactions, and merger activity, in addition to other complex commercial litigation issues. Billings-Kang joins the firm from Seyfarth Shaw LLP.
“The practice of health care law is an incredibly nuanced field, and requires a tremendous depth of knowledge and experience in order to provide counsel to our clients,” said John D. Shire, co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Health Care Practice. “Cozen O’Connor clients will benefit from James’s experience in the courtroom and we are honored to have him as part of the team.”
Prior to joining Cozen O’Connor, Billings-Kang was an integral member of the team who successfully defended the world’s largest personal care products trade association against claims of fraud, negligence, and conspiracy in a federal multi-district litigation before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. In that case, he obtained favorable settlements and dismissals in a number of lawsuits throughout the country, including an order that dismissed over 4,000 cases originating in 35 states for lack of personal jurisdiction.
Billings-Kang has a distinguished history as a litigator handling complex commercial disputes. He has represented two major financial entities before the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. He has also served as the second-chair trial attorney in a Virginia trade-secrets and non-compete matter, and as a first-chair counsel, where he was instrumental in the resolution and drafting of relevant agreements, crafting the litigation strategy, extensive discovery, participation in the mediation, and arguments in open court.
“We anticipate that the health care sector will continue to be active with respect to litigation,” stated Jonathan M. Grossman, managing partner of Cozen O’Connor’s Washington, D.C., office. “James brings an impeccable reputation and is someone who is highly regarded among his peers. It is a truly welcome opportunity for Cozen O’Connor clients to have him join the team”
“It is an honor to join a firm that offers such a tremendous level of experience and resources for its clients. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues and drawing upon my experience litigating some of the more complex and nuanced areas of health care, which will continue to be in the spotlight for the foreseeable future,” said Billings-Kang.
Billings-Kang earned his B.A. summa cum laude in classical studies and Greek from Hampden-Sydney College, where he received the James Madison Public Service Certificate. He was also an Allan Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa member, and a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Humanities and the Presidential Award for Scholarship and Character. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and was a member of the Lile Mile Court Board, Extramural Moot Court, and contributed to the Virginia Journal of Social Policy and the Law and the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Journal.
Cozen O’Connor’s Health Care Practice has been expanding with notable hires including the Health Care Practice Co-Chair John D. Shire, who has been focused on corporate and transactional practice in the health care and life sciences industry and other highly regulated activities. Shire has led several of the most recognized transactions in the U.S. health care arena, and shares a complimentary background in regulations governing reimbursement, fraud and abuse, compliance, and enforcement matters. Aselle Kurmanova previously worked with Shire and also joined the Health Care Practice having focused on health care and life sciences, asset management and financial services, real estate, and traditional industry. Most recently, Kurmanova has focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on corporate transaction activities.
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.