Ingrid Welch

Member & General Counsel

Recent Publication:

Northern District of Alabama Finds CTA Unconstitutional [Alert]

The U.S. federal district court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) unconstitutional, finding it exceeded Congress's authority, prompting a Justice Department appeal.

Ingrid has more than 35 years of legal experience in private equity fund formation, private placements, mergers and acquisitions, and SEC investment adviser and broker/dealer registration and compliance.

Ingrid’s practice focuses on the needs of private equity and private real estate investment firms. She has represented private equity clients in all aspects of their transactional needs, including fund formation, private placements, securities regulation (including Regulation D and Investment Company Act of 1940 exemptions), acquisition, financing, and disposition of private companies and real estate, and advice regarding Dodd Frank investment adviser compliance, broker/dealer issues, and other regulatory requirements that impact private equity funds.

In her role as general counsel, Ingrid oversees the firm’s Office of General Counsel, handles all firm-related corporate matters and provides counsel on risk mitigation.

Ingrid spent 22 years as in-house counsel to a Philadelphia-based private equity and real estate investment boutique with 12 years as a principal and member of the investment committee. As counsel, Ingrid managed the legal work for more than 100 investment funds with strategies ranging from private equity funds of funds, private equity investment funds, real estate investment funds, hedge funds of funds, structured finance funds, and other alternative investment funds. Many of these investment funds involved negotiating joint venture agreements with strategic or operating partners, including complex governance and waterfall provisions. As a member of the investment committee, Ingrid was involved in the early stages of the investment decision-making process and understands the business considerations that impact private equity and real estate firms. Ingrid has managed registered investment adviser and broker-dealer compliance programs, as well as represented the registrants during examinations by the SEC and FINRA.

Ingrid returned to private practice in 2011. She served as the Philadelphia office managing partner of a Detroit-based law firm, and continued to represent her former private equity and real estate investment firm, as well as other private equity, real estate, and corporate clients. 

Ingrid earned her undergraduate degree from Villanova University and is a magna cum laude graduate of Villanova Law School, where she was an editor of the Villanova Law Review

Experience

News

Cozen O’Connor Names Ingrid Welch General Counsel

February 01, 2022

A member of Cozen O’Connor since 2014, Welch has more than 35 years of experience in corporate transactions, focusing on private equity and private real estate fund formation, private placements, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and SEC investment adviser and broker/dealer registration and compliance.

Cozen O’Connor Names Six New Shareholders

September 07, 2017

Cozen O’Connor is proud to announce the promotion of six members to shareholders of the firm: David Brisco (San Diego), Michael de Leeuw (New York), John Dickenson (West Palm Beach), Jonathan Lichtenstein (Philadelphia), William Walsh (Seattle), and Ingrid Welch (Philadelphia).

Publications

Northern District of Alabama Finds CTA Unconstitutional [Alert]

March 22, 2024

The U.S. federal district court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) unconstitutional, finding it exceeded Congress's authority, prompting a Justice Department appeal.

SEC Adopts Final Private Fund Adviser Rules [Alert]

August 28, 2023

The SEC's new rules and amendments are designed to increase transparency, competition, and efficiency in the private funds market.

SEC Proposes Extensive New Regulations for Private Fund Advisers [Alert]

March 21, 2022

Ingrid Welch and Greg Patton discuss the SEC's proposed new and amended rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that would impose specific disclosure requirements, increase reporting requirements, and prohibit certain activities and practices, primarily impacting private fund advisers.

SEC Final Regulation Best Interest Regarding Duties of Broker-Dealers [Alert]

July 09, 2019

Ingrid Welch and Greg Patton detail the changes broker-dealers will need to make under the new Regulation Best Interest, beginning June 30, 2020.

SEC Proposes Disclosure Requirements and Name Restrictions for Broker-Dealers & Investment Advisers [Corporate/Securities Alert]

June 18, 2018

In a series of three proposed regulations with requests for comments, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeks to enhance communications by broker-dealers and investment advisers to their customers and clients.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Best Practices for Working with Your Outside Counsel

November 19, 2019 - Philadelphia, PA

Defining Innovation Presents Amy Whitaker

May 02, 2019 - Philadelphia, PA

The Women, Diversity & Change Summit: Philadelphia

March 20, 2019 - Philadelphia, PA

Education

  • Villanova University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1984
  • Villanova University, B.A., 1981
  • Michigan
  • Pennsylvania