Richard J. Busis

Of Counsel

Richard heads the firm’s Securities Practice. Richard counsels a diverse group of public and private companies, ranging from startup companies seeking venture capital to NASDAQ and NYSE-listed companies, in a wide variety of corporate and securities transactions.

Richard’s practice has a particular emphasis on securities offerings and mergers and acquisitions, including providing counsel to boards of directors on their fiduciary duties with respect to such transactions. In his securities practice, he represents both companies seeking to raise capital, as well as underwriters, placement agents, and venture funds. He also devotes a significant portion of his practice to representing high-tech, internet, and other emerging growth companies in venture and other capital raising transactions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances, as well as licensing and technology development arrangements. Richard has significant experience in investments involving Israeli companies.

Richard is president of Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El and the vice chairman of the board of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research.

Richard received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, summa cum laude, in 1975, his M.A. in ancient near eastern history from the University of Pennsylvania in 1980, and his law degree from the Harvard Law School, cum laude, in 1984. He was an editor of the Harvard Law Review and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. 

Experience

News

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.

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.”

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.

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

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.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

82 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 19 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2021 Guide

May 26, 2021

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.

200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers selected 200 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).

63 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 16 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2020 Guide

May 14, 2020

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 63 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2020 edition.

Publications

SEC Adopts Amendments to MD&A and other Financial Disclosures [Alert]

November 24, 2020

Kathy Jaffari and Richard Busis discuss the SEC's amendments to Regulation S-K in an effort to modernize, simplify, and enhance certain financial disclosures.

SEC Votes to Harmonize and Improve “Patchwork” Exempt Offering Framework [Alert]

November 05, 2020

Anne Madonia and Richard Busis discuss a series of amendments aimed at making the capital-raising process more “effective and efficient” by addressing “gaps and complexities” in the exempt offering framework that have created problems for issuers seeking to gain access to capital and investors looking to participate in investment opportunities.

SEC Expands the Definition of Accredited Investor [Alert]

August 28, 2020

Anne Madonia, Germain DeMartinis, and Richard Busis discuss recent updates to the definition of accredited investor made by the SEC to allow individuals to invest in unregistered private securities offerings based on certain professional certifications or designations or other credentials, rather than based on their wealth or income, as well as to expand the list of entities that will qualify as accredited investors.

SEC Issues Final Rules Regarding Proxy Solicitations [Alert]

July 24, 2020

Kathy Jaffari, Richard Busis, and Greg Patton discuss the SEC's amendments to increase transparency and accountability between Main Street investors, investment advisers, and organizations that provide proxy voting advice.

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1984
  • University of Pennsylvania, M.A., 1980
  • University of Pennsylvania, B.A., summa cum laude, 1975

Awards & Honors

Chambers and Partners USA, 2006-2024

Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2004, 2006, 2008

Best Lawyers in America, 2021-2025

  • Florida
  • Pennsylvania
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • Alexandria Bar Association
  • Florida Bar Association
  • International Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association