Santa Monica

Recent News:

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

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.

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Cozen O'Connor established its Santa Monica office in October 2017 when attorneys from the real estate and commercial litigation boutique, Gilchrist & Rutter, joined the firm. Our Santa Monica attorneys have a strong background in all aspects of real estate, representing developers, investors, lenders, architects, contractors, brokers, and local government agencies. The full-service real estate practice encompasses commercial office, retail, multifamily, industrial, manufactured housing, development, financing, leasing, purchases, sales, joint ventures, and exchanges, along with a regulatory and government relations practice.

The lawyers of the Commercial Litigation group represent clients in trial and arbitration proceedings in state and federal courts in partnership disputes, corporate and LLC dissolution and partition actions, and in claims involving breach of fiduciary duty, unfair business practices unfair competition, defamation, invasion of privacy, insurance bad faith, and intellectual property.

People

John R. Carrigan, Jr.

John R. Carrigan, Jr.

Member

Thomas W. Casparian

Thomas W. Casparian

Member

Ethan Chernin

Ethan Chernin

Member

Susy Forbath

Susy Forbath

Regulatory and Government Relations Professional

Frank Gooch III

Frank Gooch III

Member

Jonathan S. Gross

Jonathan S. Gross

Member

Nicole Herter Perkin

Nicole Herter Perkin

Member

C. Edward Langhammer, Jr.

C. Edward Langhammer, Jr.

Member

Matthew Evan  Lewitz

Matthew Evan Lewitz

Member

Michele Ballard Miller

Michele Ballard Miller

Chair, West Coast Labor & Employment

Duane M. Montgomery

Duane M. Montgomery

Office Managing Partner

Megan R. Peitzke

Megan R. Peitzke

Member

Mitchell Poole

Mitchell Poole

Co-Chair, Real Estate

Jacob Prischak

Jacob Prischak

Associate

Alexander E.  Robinson

Alexander E. Robinson

Associate

Paul S. Rutter

Paul S. Rutter

Member

Emily Shoor

Emily Shoor

Member

Madeline Suchard

Madeline Suchard

Associate

Peter E. Swain

Peter E. Swain

Member

Brett Nicole Taylor

Brett Nicole Taylor

Member

Brett D. Watson

Brett D. Watson

Chair, Retail Banking Practice

Jon S. Ziefert

Jon S. Ziefert

Member

News

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.

Brett Nicole Taylor Named 2024 Southern CA Super Lawyers Rising Star

June 21, 2024 Brett Nicole Taylor was named to the 2024 Super Lawyers Southern California Rising Stars list and the 2024 Super Lawyers Women’s Edition.

Banking, Regulations, and Litigation: A Perfect Match

June 18, 2024 Aaron Krauss and Brett Watson were guests on the Litigation Radio podcast to discuss the legal challenges and strategies banks need to navigate the complex regulatory environment.

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.”

Brett Watson Appointed to Inland Counties Legal Services Board of Directors

April 03, 2024 Brett Watson, chair of the firm’s Retail Banking Practice, has been appointed to the Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) Board of Directors.

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.

Three Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as 2024 Southern California Super Lawyers

January 12, 2024 Los Angeles attorney Susan A. Grueneberg and Santa Monica attorneys Thomas W. Casparian and Paul S. Rutter to its 2024 Southern California Super Lawyers list.

Banks Gear Up for Battle Over Capital Rules, Swipe Fees in 2024

January 05, 2024 Brett Watson was quoted in a Bloomberg Law article discussing the 2024 banking regulatory agenda, which will likely face an uphill climb.

Thomas Casparian and Brett Watson Named ICLS Pro Bono Volunteers of the Year

August 29, 2023 Thomas Casparian and Brett Watson, members of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, have been named Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) Pro Bono Volunteers of the Year.

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.

Five Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers

February 07, 2023 Super Lawyers has named Los Angeles attorneys Susan A. Grueneberg and Donald C. Nanney and Santa Monica attorneys Thomas W. Casparian, Jonathan S. Gross, and Paul S. Rutter to its 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers list.

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 Lands Noted California-based Real Estate Attorney Mitchell Poole

July 06, 2020 Poole, who has for 20-plus years represented general and limited partners investing in national/international real estate funds and joint ventures, joins Cozen O’Connor as a shareholder.

Nine Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers

January 15, 2020 Super Lawyers has named nine Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2020 Southern California Super Lawyers.

Contacts

Duane M. Montgomery

Office Managing Partner

dmontgomery@cozen.com

(310) 460-4478

Jeanette Rodriguez

Office Manager

JRodriguez@cozen.com

(310) 594-3130

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.