Philadelphia, September 10, 2013 — Cozen O’Connor has significantly bolstered the strength and scope of its national real estate practice with the addition of seven experienced lateral attorneys across six offices in recent months, including seven members and one associate. Most recently, Daniel W. Hardwick joined the firm's Washington, D.C., office as a member. Previously, Dan was counsel at Bingham McCutchen's Washington, D.C., office.
Real estate attorneys who have joined the firm as members in recent months include: Brittiny Sessions, who joined the firm’s New York office; Thomas G. Wallrich, who joined the firm as office managing partner in Minneapolis; Michael E. Botos, who joined the firm’s newly opened West Palm Beach office; and Richard S. Roisman and James Kennedy, who joined the firm’s Philadelphia office.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome so many great real estate practitioners to offices throughout the firm,” said Cozen O’Connor CEO Michael J. Heller. “This year, we have opened offices in West Palm Beach and Minneapolis, and expanded our business law practice across a number of key areas. Our growth in real estate is an extension of our strategy to continue to strengthen our national full-service platform.”
“Our new colleagues bring decades of collective experience that span all aspects of real estate work,” said Herman C. Fala, chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice Group. “At a time when commercial real estate is picking up in markets across the country, Cozen O’Connor has been fortunate to attract a group of highly talented attorneys who will bolster our abilities to serve clients in all types of real estate and real estate-related transactions.”
Daniel W. Hardwick, who joined the firm's Washington, D.C., office as a member, has represented publicly traded real estate investment trusts, pension fund advisors, private equity firms, developers and institutional lenders in several complex acquisitions, sales, joint venture arrangements, financing transactions and leases. He has coordinated and closed transactions in several states in deals ranging in size from the tens of millions to more than $400 million, and involving a variety of property types including office, industrial, multifamily, hotel and retail buildings. Dan is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School and Michigan State University.
Brittiny Sessions joined the firm as a member in the New York-Midtown office. She possesses more than 10 years of experience in the transactional practice of real estate development and public finance. She has represented governmental agencies, developers, underwriters, trustees, lenders, not-for-profits and businesses in financing and developing capital projects. Brittiny began her legal career as counsel to the New York City Economic Development Corporation. She is a graduate of Fordham Law School and received her B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin.
Thomas G. Wallrich, who joined the firm as office managing partner in Minneapolis, represents commercial landlords, and commercial and residential developers in a wide range of transactional, financing, governmental and bankruptcy matters. In addition, Tom practices in the areas of commercial transactions, banking, bankruptcy and commercial litigation. In the past 20 years, Tom also has developed a substantial practice in international trade in the regions of China, Mexico and Canada.
Earlier this summer, Michael E. Botos joined the firm’s newly opened West Palm Beach office as a member, along with five other partners from Edwards Wildman. Mike focuses his practice in the areas of commercial and residential real estate development and leasing. Mike represents banks, savings and loan associations and insurance companies in connection with a wide range of loans. He negotiates and prepares natural resources leases, and handles traditional real estate transactions of every type.
Richard S. Roisman and James Kennedy joined the firm’s Philadelphia office as members. Richard was a partner at Klehr Harrison in Philadelphia for 20 years, and most recently was part of the Philadelphia office of McCarter & English. Richard has a particularly strong background in all types of financing work and transactions/workouts involving secured and unsecured loans, from all sides of the table.
Jim brings extensive experience in complex corporate and real estate finance, securitization, financial services, mortgage banking and commercial real estate transactions. For the past six years, Jim has served as senior vice president and general counsel to GMH Associates, Inc., and its related entities, a real estate owner and service provider of multifamily, student housing, office/flex and retail assets across the country.
In addition, Kelly Shinn has joined the Philadelphia office as an associate. Kelly is experienced in representing owners, buyers/sellers, tenants and lenders in a variety of real estate transactions, including ground-up developments, sale-leasebacks, refinances and workouts, commercial and office leasing, and creation and operation of commercial condominiums and subcondominiums.
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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