Steve is the founder and chairman of Cozen O'Connor, a Philadelphia-based law firm with 32 offices throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The firm has grown from just four attorneys in 1970 to its present complement with more than 825 attorneys. Originally a boutique firm focusing on insurance related and commercial litigation, today Cozen O'Connor is a full-service law firm serving clients' needs in business and corporate matters, securities, bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring, real estate, tax, public and project finance, health law, labor and employment matters, intellectual property, government relations, and trusts and estates.
An accomplished litigator and counselor, Steve is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a designation held by only the most respected and experienced courtroom practitioners, a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a senior fellow of the Advisory Board of the Litigation Counsel of America. He is also well-recognized as a consummate strategist, an appellate advocate, and is frequently called upon for appellate advice, counsel, and oral advocacy before both state and federal appellate courts. John Ryan, Executive Vice President, Chief Counsel Officer and Corporate Secretary for Temple University Health System said of Steve: “He is a force of nature, tenacious, wise, and always supremely prepared. What Steve has done to create and build a thriving and growing law firm is inspiring, and great for Philadelphia.“ Steve is a nationally recognized lecturer and author on a wide variety of legal and litigation issues, and judicial opinions frequently cite his articles and texts as authoritative references.
Throughout his career Steve has served as an adviser, counsellor and occasionally in an official capacity on behalf of federal, state and city government executives.
Steve serves on numerous education and philanthropic boards, including the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, where he is first vice-chair elect, the President's Leadership Council for the Kimmel Center, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School Board of Advisors Emeritus: Stephen A. Cozen, Esq. Steve also spearheaded the development of the Samuel D. Cozen PAL Center and is actively involved with the organization. He is chairman emeritus of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute Board of Councilors and currently serves on the board of Franklin Square Holdings, LP.
Steve is often awarded for his skills and leadership, both within the legal arena and in the community as a whole. In 2002, he was awarded The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) highest honor – The 25th Annual Americanism Award, and named to the lists of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2006), The National Law Journal’s 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America (2000), The Best Lawyers in America, and "Pennsylvania Super Lawyers" (2006-present). In addition, the firm made a gift to the University of Pennsylvania Law School in Steve’s honor, establishing the Stephen A. Cozen Professorship of Law, and he was honored with the 2008 Musser Excellence in Leadership Award from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
In 2011, Steve was honored by Drexel University as the Business Leader of the Year. While bestowing the honor, Drexel President John Fry said, “I think Steve is a perfect recipient of this award because his legendary intellect and energy have extended well beyond vision and leadership for his law firm, into civic and development activities that have helped build a great climate for the people and businesses of the region. In support of his beloved Philadelphia, Steve played a major role in the creation of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and was named to its President's Leadership Council in 2018, innovative programs at Project H.O.M.E., and the new National Museum of American Jewish History.” In 2017, Steve was presented with the inaugural Drexel Hillel Leadership Award and, in 2023, the Jacovini Award for major contributions to the university by a non-alumni.
Steve earned his undergraduate degree and law degree, both with honors, from The University of Pennsylvania in 1961 and 1964, respectively. Steve was admitted to practice in Pennsylvania in 1964, before all of the courts of Pennsylvania, and in addition to many U.S. District Courts and U.S. Courts of Appeal, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.