Gregory J. Star

Vice Chair, Life Insurance & Annuities
Co-Chair, Software

Gregory litigates complex disputes for life insurance companies, software providers, and other commercial clients.  He has been at the forefront of cutting-edge life insurance issues and has significant experience in the area of stranger-originated life insurance (STOLI) transactions.  Greg has played a key role in many recent carrier successes in STOLI litigation, including a string of summary judgment victories where fraudulently procured policies have been declared void ab initio as illegal human life wagers.  Greg has also recouped millions of dollars paid to STOLI investors.  

For the last 10 years, a significant portion of Greg’s practice has focused on representing software industry clients in disputes arising from software implementations, alleged software defects, and licensing issues. With considerable experience advising clients during ongoing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software implementation projects, Greg is well versed in the relationships between software developers, systems integrators, and other third parties involved in software licensing and implementation. He regularly advises clients on software project management issues, warranty claims, defect resolution matters, and software audits. 

Greg also regularly represents clients in disputes involving the assignment of payments arising from personal injury structured settlements, and has appeared in courts around the country to successfully oppose these transactions.  He also represents clients in diverse matters including disputes within partnerships and limited liability companies, claims arising from professional negligence and fraud, and employment disputes. He has also successfully litigated real estate disputes, unfair trade practices claims, and personal injury matters. He has defended and pursued such claims in various court and arbitration proceedings across the country and internationally, including before the ICC International Court of Arbitration.

Greg earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and his law degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law.

Experience

News

Cozen O'Connor’s Life Insurance & Annuities Group Named One of the Top Lateral Hires of 2018

March 23, 2019

The Cozen O'Connor Life Insurance and Annuities Group was named by The Legal Intelligencer one of the Top Lateral Hires of 2018 after joining the firm in April 2018.

Cozen O’Connor Expands Commercial Litigation Practice in Philadelphia with Group from Drinker Biddle

April 26, 2018

Cozen O’Connor announced today that three nationally recognized commercial litigators — Michael J. Miller, Gregory J. Star, and Stephen R. Harris — along with 11 others have left Drinker Biddle to join Cozen O’Connor’s Commercial Litigation practice

Publications

STOLI - What you don't know may cost you [Munich RE]

November 01, 2018

Michael Miller and Gregory Star contributed an article to Munich Re discussing stranger-oriented life insurance, "STOLI," and the effect it has on people today.

Industry Sectors

Education

  • Temple University—James E. Beasley School of Law, J.D., 2002
  • University of Maryland, B.A., 1993
  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court -- New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court -- Colorado