Philadelphia, Jan. 6, 2014 – Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce two of its members — Abby M. Wenzel and Bernard Lee — will co-chair the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group, replacing current Chair Herman C. Fala, who is taking over as general counsel at longtime client Liberty Property Trust.
Ms. Wenzel and Mr. Lee both joined Cozen O’Connor in April 2009 from Wolf Block. Ms. Wenzel joined the firm’s New York office as a member in the Business Law Department, and serves as Office Managing Partner. She practices in the Real Estate Practice Group, focusing on capital markets, finance and sale leaseback transactions.
Mr. Lee is a member in the firm’s Business Law Department, practicing within the Real Estate Practice Group in Philadelphia. His practice areas include real estate development and financing, mixed-use and mixed-finance projects, construction and architect agreements, and hotel management, acquisition and development. He sits on the firm's Board of Directors, and also currently serves as a member of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.
Mr. Fala, who chaired the Real Estate Practice Group since 2009 and has represented Liberty Property Trust for some 25 years, assumed his new position January 1, 2014. Liberty Property Trust will remain a Cozen O’Connor client.
“As Liberty’s principal outside lawyer for many years I became a likely candidate,” Mr. Fala said. “I view this as a great opportunity with another spectacular organization whose people and culture I know and admire. I will now be a Cozen O’Connor client and still part of the extended family.”
“Herman’s very large shoes will be ably filled by a talented and formidable team of Bernard Lee and Abby Wenzel,” said Jeffrey A. Leonard, chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department. “With Herman’s departure, we lose a leader with unique skills and experience. But we retain a close friend as a client and we look forward to many more years of working with him in his new role.”
About Cozen O'Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O'Connor has 575 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 23 offices across two continents.
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