BOSTON – February 28, 2023 — Cozen O’Connor has further expanded and enhanced both its Institutional Response Group (IRG) and its Subrogation & Recovery Department by adding two prominent Massachusetts-based attorneys — Jeffrey Bourgeois and Shannon M. Warren — to its Boston office. Bourgeois, who previously served as assistant attorney general in the Human Trafficking Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office, joins the IRG as counsel. Warren, who previously served as partner and vice president at Uehlein & Associates, joins the firm’s Subrogation & Recovery Department as a member.
“From a strategic standpoint, Boston has long been New England’s legal hub, and further expanding our presence and capabilities here is a major step forward for the firm,” said Wendy K. Venoit, managing partner of the Boston office. “Both Shannon and Jeff have been working and developing contacts throughout the country for years, so they’ll obviously be able to hit the ground running. I’m excited to welcome them to Cozen O’Connor and the Boston office.”
Bourgeois brings to the firm substantial, broad-based experience conducting trauma-informed investigations into human trafficking for both sexual servitude and forced labor. Working closely with officials in Massachusetts, the federal government, and human services agencies in other states, he also manages complex prosecutions involving both victims and multi-state human trafficking enterprises.
“Like our other Institutional Response attorneys, Jeff has substantial experience leading sensitive investigations involving sexual and gender-based harassment and violence, child abuse, and other forms of misconduct,” said Gina Maisto Smith, chair of the IRG. “Jeff’s decade-plus experience complements our IRG team and expands our capacity to serve our higher education and K-12 clients. We are excited to be part of building Cozen O’Connor’s footprint in Boston, and I’m thrilled he’s chosen to join us.”
“IRG helps an array of colleges, universities, K-12 educational and other child-serving institutions with systems design, policy audit and development, compliance programs, Title IX and child abuse investigations, and governance issues,” said Leslie M. Gomez, vice chair of the IRG. “Jeff’s skill set and experience are aligned with the needs of our clients, and his ability to confront sexual violence with sensitivity and compassion make him a valuable asset to support IRG’s national practice.”
Bourgeois’ practice also includes an important training component — for years he’s been training law enforcement, advocates, mental health professionals and prosecutors on the neurological impacts of trauma on crime victims, with a focus on sexual assault.
“Throughout my career I’ve been helping law enforcement and human rights agencies address and diminish the spread of human trafficking and related crime activities,” Bourgeois said. “Joining Cozen O’Connor and helping Gina and Leslie fulfill the vision of IRG is a natural next step. I’m very much looking forward to the challenge.”
With nearly a decade of focusing exclusively on insurance subrogation, Warren brings to the firm a long and successful track record of handling cases involving catastrophic property damages, cargo claims, and maritime losses. Representing major insurers throughout the United States, she brings extensive experience managing complex cases immediately follow a loss — identifying and developing theories of liability, retaining and managing experts, and ensuring that all aspects of a subrogation claim are addressed to maximize the client’s recovery potential.
“In a field as distinctive and technical as subrogation, experience is paramount, and from that standpoint alone Shannon’s resume is as good as it gets,” said Elliott R. Feldman, co-chair of the firm’s Subrogation & Recovery Department. “She’s has been representing major insurers throughout the United States for years and brings an impressive track record of maximizing recoveries through aggressive and strategic litigation and negotiation skills. She fits our practice like a glove and I’m happy to welcome her to the firm.”
Warren also counsels companies on construction defects, product liability, professional negligence, cargo and other causes of action; and oversees joint inspections of major losses involving fire, water discharge, and mechanical failures.
“Cozen O’Connor is a fast-growing, entrepreneurial firm and I’m very much looking forward to leading and building its subrogation practice here in the greater Boston area,” Warren said. “The combination of my many industry contacts with the firm’s legal resources — including an awarding winning commercial litigation practice — will be especially beneficial to my clients.”
Bourgeois earned his J.D. at the New England School of Law, and his B.A. at Tufts University. Warren earned her J.D. at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and her B.A. at the University of Oregon.
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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