Expands Midwest and West Coast Presence
Chicago – June 2, 2015 – Cozen O’Connor and Chicago-based Meckler Bulger Tilson (MBT) are pleased to announce that, effective June 1, 2015, 58 attorneys formerly of MBT have joined Cozen O’Connor. The MBT lawyers bring significant litigation strength in labor and employment, complex insurance coverage, commercial litigation, and white collar defense and government investigations augmenting Cozen O'Connor’s existing practices in those areas. The group from MBT also brings the country’s preeminent legal fee solutions business serving the financial services industry and corporate legal departments.
The completion of this transaction also strengthens Cozen O’Connor’s depth and breadth in Chicago and the Midwest with 60 attorneys now in Chicago, and an existing 12 attorneys in its Minneapolis office. The combination also establishes a presence for Cozen O’Connor in San Francisco with the addition of 15 attorneys from MBT. The new Bay Area office grows the firm’s California presence, which includes offices in San Diego and Los Angeles.
“The lawyers and staff of MBT bring tremendous experience and a well-earned reputation as a go-to firm for labor and employment, complex insurance coverage and commercial litigation,” said Michael J. Heller, president and chief executive officer of Cozen O’Connor. “Chicago is a dynamic business and legal market. MBT’s excellent team adds depth and breadth to our practice and sector strengths, and significantly advances our strategic goal to increase our presence in Chicago and the Midwest.”
Bruce R. Meckler, a founder and the current Co-chair of MBT, will serve as Vice Chair of the Commercial Litigation Department at Cozen O’Connor.
“Combining our strengths, in particular our labor and employment practice, complex commercial litigation and leading legal dispute business, enables our clients to access resources across the United States, and in London and Toronto,” Meckler said.
Joseph E. Tilson, the current Co-Chair of MBT, will serve as Co-Chair of Cozen O'Connor’s Labor and Employment Department. Meckler and Tilson will both serve on Cozen O'Connor’s Management Committee and National Board of Directors.
“Our collective labor and employment practice is a national platform, serving 32 cities across the country,” Tilson said. “This expanded footprint provides reach and resources that enable us to better serve our clients and continue to build our practice."
Bruce Meckler and Joe Tilson will also serve as managing partners of Cozen O’Connor’s Chicago office, along with Tia Ghattas, who has served as managing partner of Cozen O’Connor’s Chicago office since 2008. Cozen O’Connor’s Chicago office is now located at 123 N. Wacker Drive.
Irene Yesowitch will become managing partner of Cozen O’Connor’s San Francisco office, a role she has held with MBT since the opening of its San Francisco office in 2011. Cozen O’ Connor’s new San Francisco office is located at 575 Market Street.
Meckler, Tilson and several other MBT partners are well known in both legal and political circles in the Chicago Metropolitan area. Another MBT partner, Richard “Dick” Devine, served as the Cook County State’s Attorney from 1996 to 2008, as well as several other high-level government positions in the State and City.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 925 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 26 offices across two continents.