Germain E. DeMartinis

Associate

Germain is a former business owner who brings his first-hand experience as an entrepreneur and employer to bear on his practice. He regularly assists clients with mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance, private equity, corporate governance, and startup guidance. Germain serves as a firm representative to the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Large Firm Associates Committee

Before joining Cozen O’Connor as an associate in the corporate practice group, Germain owned and operated a commercial baking company in California, taking the business from a sole proprietorship to a corporation with multi-state distribution. In addition to handling the company’s day-to-day operations, Germain was responsible for research and development, production, distribution, and sales. This experience gives him a unique perspective into the business realities his clients face, especially in the emerging company arena.

Germain also has a passion for innovation that allows him to connect on a personal level with entrepreneurial, forward-looking clients. While working for a computer hardware security company before running his own business, Germain invented and patented three products that were manufactured and distributed. In his role for that company, he traveled to China to establish manufacturing partnerships for the products and was responsible for growing the company by expanding its product line, distribution channels, and sales.

Germain received his J.D., cum laude, from Temple University Beasley School of Law and Bachelor of Arts in English and comparative literature studies from Occidental College.

Experience

Publications

Recent SEC Review of Accredited Investor Definition [Alert]

January 24, 2024

Germain DeMartinis and Anne Madonia discuss the SEC's recent report reviewing the definition of an accredited invested, as it is required to do at least every four years.

Minnesota Adult-Use Cannabis Bill Emerges from Reconciliation [Alert]

May 17, 2023

The bill emerged from reconciliation on May 17, 2023 and would legalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults 21 and older.

Transparency in Corporate Political Spending and SEC Rule 14a-8

January 26, 2021

Germain DeMartinis and Kathy Jaffari authored an article in The Legal Intelligencer on the increased focus on political contributions made by companies and the need for these businesses to have increased transparency in order to manage reputational risk.

SEC Adopts Amendments to Regulation S-K Items 101, 103, and 105 [Alert]

September 02, 2020

Kathy Jaffari and Germain DeMartinis discuss the SEC's adoption of amendments modernizing the description of business (Item 101), legal proceedings (Item 103), and risk factors (Item 105) disclosures that registrants are required to make pursuant to Regulation S-K.

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.

PA Cannabis Legislation to Watch in 2020 [Alert]

January 22, 2020

Heidi Schwartz and Germain DeMartinis discuss possible big changes coming Pennsylvania for cannabis businesses and individuals who use cannabis products.

Education

  • Temple University—James E. Beasley School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2017
  • Occidental College, B.A., 1998
  • Pennsylvania

Board of Directors, Philadelphia VIP 

Pro Bono Counsel, Philadelphia VIP