Stephen A. Cozen is the founder and chairman of Cozen O'Connor, a Philadelphia-based law firm with 23 offices throughout the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Under Steve's leadership, the firm has grown from just four attorneys in 1970 to its present complement of more than 575 attorneys. Originally a boutique firm specializing in insurance related and commercial litigation, today Cozen O'Connor is a full-service law firm serving its clients' needs in business and corporate matters; securities; bankruptcy; insolvency and restructuring; real estate; tax; public and project finance; health law; labor and employment matters; intellectual property; government relations, and trusts and estates.
An accomplished litigator and counselor, Steve is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a designation held by only the most respected and experienced court room practitioners, and is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and Litigation Counsel of America. He is also well-recognized as a consummate strategist, an appellate advocate, and is frequently called upon for specialized appellate advice, counsel and oral advocacy before both State and Federal appellate courts. Steve is a nationally recognized lecturer and author on a wide variety of legal and litigation issues, and judicial opinions frequently cite his articles and texts as authoritative references.
In connection with government relations, Steve has, among other things, served as chair of the Department of Energy Advisory Committee on Fire Safety, and the Insurance Department Transition Teams for then Governor Rendell in Pennsylvania.
Steve serves on numerous education and philanthropic boards, including The National Museum of American Jewish History and the University of Pennsylvania’s Law School Board of Overseers. Steve also spearheaded the development of the Samuel D. Cozen PAL Center and is actively involved with the organization. He is a member of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute Board of Councilors, Chairman of its Five Year Campaign Initiative, and currently serves on the boards of Assured Guaranty Ltd., Franklin Square Holdings, LP, and Haverford Trust Company. He is director of the board at Global Indemnity PLC.
Steve is often awarded for his skills and leadership, both within the legal arena and in the community as a whole. In 2002, he was awarded The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) highest honor – The 25th Annual Americanism Award, and named to the lists of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2006), The National Law Journal’s 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America (2000), The Best Lawyers in America, and "Pennsylvania Super Lawyers" (2006-present). In addition, the firm made a gift to the University of Pennsylvania Law School in Steve’s honor, establishing the Stephen A. Cozen Professorship of Law and he was honored with the 2008 Musser Excellence in Leadership Award from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
In 2011, Steve was honored by Drexel University as the Business Leader of the Year. While bestowing the honor, Drexel President John Fry said, “I think Steve is a perfect recipient of this award because his legendary intellect and energy have extended well beyond vision and leadership for his law firm, into civic and development activities that have helped build a great climate for the people and businesses of the region. In support of his beloved Philadelphia, Steve played a major role in the creation of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, innovative programs at Project H.O.M.E., and the new National Museum of American Jewish History.”
Steve earned his undergraduate degree and law degree, both with honors, from The University of Pennsylvania in 1961 and 1964, respectively. Steve was admitted to practice in Pennsylvania in 1964, before all of the courts of Pennsylvania, and in addition to many U.S. District Courts and U.S. Courts of Appeal, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
