Stephen A. Cozen, chairman and founder of Cozen O’Connor, one of the nation’s 100 largest law firms, was recently inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL). IATL limits membership to 500 Fellows from the United States. The Academy seeks out, identifies and honors those who have achieved a career of excellence through demonstrated skill and ability in jury trials, trials before the court and appellate practice. Members are engaged in civil practice on both the plaintiff’s and the defendant’s side of the courtroom, and the trial of criminal cases. IATL invites only lawyers who have attained the highest level of advocacy. A comprehensive screening process identifies the most distinguished members of the trial bar by means of both peer and judicial review. Evaluated by colleagues and judges in his jurisdiction, Cozen was highly recommended as possessing these qualifications and characteristics.
An accomplished litigator and counselor, Cozen is also 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. 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.
Cozen has handled many high profile cases throughout his more than four-decades in the field. Among his most recent is a landmark suit – originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and now under review by the Office of the Solicitor General – seeking to hold Saudi Arabia, a Saudi charity and several members of the royal family responsible for damages resulting from the Sept. 11, 2001 attack. Cozen represents more than 40 insurers who paid out more than $5 billion in losses.
He also defeated eight class actions, settling thousands of claims and recovering in excess of $100 million from 16 defendants, while defending the building owners and managers in the One Meridian Plaza fire in Philadelphia, the largest high-rise fire in U.S. history.
Outside the courtroom, Cozen serves on numerous education and philanthropic boards including: the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Federation of Jewish Agencies, the National Museum of American Jewish History, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Law and Economics, and Law School Board of Overseers. He is also a board member of two public companies – Assured Guaranty, Ltd., and United America Indemnity, Ltd.
A resident of Villanova, Pa., Cozen earned his undergraduate degree and law degree, both with honors, from The University of Pennsylvania in 1961 and 1964, respectively, and is admitted to practice in state and federal courts throughout the country.