October 8, 2015, Harrisburg, PA – Cozen O'Connor is pleased to announce that Deborah Melamut Minkoff, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Global Insurance Department, is one of 26 women appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. The commissioners were sworn in on October 7, 2015 by Secretary of State Pedro Cortés prior to convening the first meeting of the Commission, which was held at The Governor’s Residence.

“In Pennsylvania today, women earn just 76 cents for every dollar a man earns, they make up 75 percent of our minimum wage workforce, and they are two times less likely to work in STEM occupations than men in the Commonwealth,” Governor Wolf said. “These are just a few of the issues that I hope this Commission will look at improving over the course of their work.

“I know that this passionate group of leaders and professionals will act as tireless advocates on behalf of Pennsylvania’s women and girls. Each of these individuals will be a tremendous asset to the Commission, and people across the Commonwealth will be well-served by their commitment to improving the lives of our women and girls.”

“It is an honor and privilege to be appointed to the Commission,” said Minkoff. “I look forward to working with this group of remarkable women, as well as the Governor and his staff, to improve the lives of women and girls living and working in Pennsylvania.”

Minkoff litigates cases involving disputes under claims-made liability coverage, medical professional liability coverage, employers' liability coverage, professional liability coverage, retention and allocation issues, and sexual misconduct claims under both professional liability coverage and commercial general liability coverage. She has been recognized as a Best Lawyer in America in the area of Insurance Law, and as a Super Lawyer annually from 2008 through 2016. In December 2012, Business Insurance recognized Minkoff as one of its 25 "Women to Watch." She is a frequent lecturer on self-insured retention and large deductible policies, claims-made coverage, and risk tolerance and negotiation skills. Minkoff is also an adjunct professor at the Drexel University School of Law.

The Commission for Women, which was created by executive order and consists of volunteer members of dedicated business, civic and community leaders, is responsible for advising the governor on policies and legislation that impact women; supporting economic and civic opportunities for women; encouraging mentoring programs for girls and young women; identifying programs and opportunities for the benefit and advancement of women; and serving as a resource center for Pennsylvania women. The Commission also acts as an advocate for policies and legislation it feels serves the best interest of women and girls in Pennsylvania.

Below is a full list of the individuals that have been appointed as members of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women:

Randi Teplitz, Chair, Dauphin County
Susan Jacobson, Southeast Regional Coordinator, Philadelphia County
Nancy Mills, Southwest Regional Coordinator, Allegheny County
Anne Ard, Centre County
Donna Barbetti, Lackawanna County
Dana Brown, Allegheny County
Jessica Brubaker, York County
ImJa Choi, Philadelphia County
Representative Madeleine Dean, Montgomery County
Lucy Delabar, Lehigh County
Carolina Digiorgio, Chester County
Denise Johnson, Crawford County
Jazelle Jones, Philadelphia County
Susan Kefover, Potter County
Mellanie Lassiter, Philadelphia County
Evie McNulty, Lackawanna County
Leslie Anne Miller, Delaware County
Deborah Minkoff, Montgomery County
Tina Nixon, Dauphin County
Lori Nocito, Luzerne County
Lesley Ridge, Erie County
Kathy Rooney, Lehigh County
Jessica Rothchild, Lackawanna County
Patti Stirk, York County
Rosa Stroh, Dauphin County
Michelle Zmijanac, Allegheny County

For more information on the Commission for Women, contact women@pa.gov or 717.831.3224.

About Cozen O'Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has more than 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 services its clients’ needs through 26 offices across two continents.