San Francisco

Recent News:

Cozen O’Connor Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in 31 Practice Areas Nationwide, 54 Practice Areas Regionally

In 2024, Best Lawyers received more than 100,000 client references and observed a 65% increase in client participation in their survey.

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Cozen O’Connor opened its San Francisco office in 2015 when attorneys from Meckler Bulger Tilson joined the firm. 

Our San Francisco attorneys have deep roots in the San Francisco Bay area, with practices and individual accolades that place them among the nation's leading lawyers in insurance and labor and employment matters. With extensive experience in commercial litigation, our San Francisco attorneys focus in representing corporations in insurance coverage, labor and employment, mass tort, products liability, bad faith and business litigation. They have been lead counsel in many well-known cases on the West Coast and throughout the nation. In addition to insurance and labor and employment law, our San Francisco office offers the full range of services, including all types of business litigation and legal audits.

People

John  H. Feldmann, III

John H. Feldmann, III

Of Counsel

Brett Greving

Brett Greving

Member

Elena K. Hillman

Elena K. Hillman

Member

Michele Ballard Miller

Michele Ballard Miller

Chair, West Coast Labor & Employment

Emilie Plungy

Emilie Plungy

Counsel

Janine S. Simerly

Janine S. Simerly

Of Counsel

Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

Associate

Walter M. Stella

Walter M. Stella

Member

Di Addy Tang

Di Addy Tang

Associate

Susan R. Tighe

Susan R. Tighe

Associate General Counsel – Professional Responsibility

Bethany A. Vasquez

Bethany A. Vasquez

Member

News

Cozen O’Connor Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in 31 Practice Areas Nationwide, 54 Practice Areas Regionally

November 07, 2024 In 2024, Best Lawyers received more than 100,000 client references and observed a 65% increase in client participation in their survey.

Michael Heller Talks to Law360 About his Re-election to CEO, Surviving the Pandemic, What Comes Next

October 15, 2024 Following his unanimous re-election to CEO, Michael Heller spoke with Law360 Pulse about the successes and challenges of the last three years and his priorities for the next three.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

August 15, 2024 Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Super Lawyers Names Three Cozen O’Connor Attorneys to 2024 Northern California List

July 02, 2024 Walter M. Stella was recognized as a Super Lawyer, and Solomon Pantuch and Di Addy Tang were named Rising Stars.

Walter Stella and Di Addy Tang Honored by the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco with Outstanding Volunteers Crystal Award

June 12, 2024 Walter Stella and Di Addy Tang were honored by the Justice & Diversity Center (JDC) of the Bar Association of San Francisco with the Outstanding Volunteers Crystal Award.

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024 Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Cozen O’Connor Promotes 23 Attorneys to Member

March 15, 2024 “This is a group of terrific lawyers across many offices and practices areas and we look forward to following their achievements,” said Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Heller.

7 Tips for California Employers’ Violence Prevention Plans

March 04, 2024 John Carrigan, Jr., Elena Hillman, and Daniel Pascale were quoted in an HR Dive article discussing tips on how California employers can implement workplace violence prevention plans by July 1.

California PAGA Cases Can’t Be Dismissed Due to Unmanageability

January 22, 2024 Brett C. Greving was quoted in a SHRM article discussing a new ruling that prevents trial courts in California from dismissing lawsuits brought under the state’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) due to perceived unmanageability.

California Legislation And Regulations To Watch In 2024

January 01, 2024 Walter Stella was quoted in a Law360 article discussing the groundbreaking legislation and regulations implemented in California regarding employers’ obligations to workers.

Labor and Employment Law: The Private Attorney General Rule

December 05, 2023 Walter Stella was a guest on the KALW Your Legal Rights radio show discussing the employer side of the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).

State Ballot Measures May Impact the Workplace

November 13, 2023 Walter Stella was quoted in an SHRM article discussing two ballot measures in California that voters will decide in 2024 that could dramatically affect employers.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023 Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Super Lawyers Names Two Cozen O’Connor Attorneys to 2023 Northern California List

June 30, 2023 Walter Stella (Employment & Labor) was recognized as a Super Lawyer, and Di Addy Tang (Employment & Labor) was named a Rising Star.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Cozen O’Connor Grows California Labor and Employment Practice with the Addition of Litigator Bethany A. Vasquez to its San Francisco Office

May 21, 2020 Bethany previously served as employment counsel at San Francisco-based ride-sharing company Lyft Inc., joins as a member, and will work out of its San Francisco office.

Contacts

Michele Ballard Miller

Chair, West Coast Labor & Employment

mbmiller@cozen.com

(415) 262-8301

Tracy Sanasac

Office Manager

tsanasac@cozen.com

(619) 685-1700

Featured Event:

What’s on the Horizon in 2025 for California Workplaces

Santa Monica, CA 12/06/2024

Michele Ballard Miller and Nicole Herter Perkin will present “What’s on the Horizon in 2025 for California Workplaces” for the Southern California Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.