David Girard-diCarlo, former U.S. Ambassador and former chairman of Blank Rome, has joined Cozen O'Connor as a member of the firm's business law department and government relations practice. Prior to his recent appointment by President George W. Bush as U.S. Ambassador to Austria, Girard-diCarlo served for 22 years, first as managing partner and then as chairman, at Blank Rome. Girard-diCarlo oversaw a rapid expansion of the firm while also serving as chairman and CEO of Blank Rome Government Relations LLC.
In addition to practicing law, Girard-diCarlo will serve as a member of Cozen O'Connor's advisory board which provides the firm’s management committee with perspectives on strategic planning and organizational decisions. He will also help the firm implement strategic expansion plans across its offices nationwide.
“At first I was disappointed that I was not returning to Blank Rome, a firm I cherish and helped build. But we all close and open chapters in our lives everyday and I look forward to starting my next chapter with Cozen O'Connor,” said Girard-diCarlo. “I admire the firm’s entrepreneurial spirit and the impressive footprint they have achieved with truly outstanding professionals. I look forward to helping them achieve many more successes in the future.”
“David is an icon in the legal community,” said Cozen O'Connor CEO Tad Decker. “He is respected nationally and internationally, not only for his business law acumen but also for his visionary perspectives on the business of law. We are pleased to have him join our business law practice and help continue our high-level lateral recruitment efforts to grow our firm’s business and litigation practice.”
From 1996 until 2002, Girard-diCarlo served as a member of the board of PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., having previously served on the board of Midlantic Corporation prior to its acquisition by PNC. He also served on the boards of Pennoni Associates, Inc. and Philadelphia Belt Line Railroad Company. He was chairman of the board of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce from 1997-98 and also served as chairman of its Executive Committee.
Girard-diCarlo was appointed by former President George H.W. Bush in 1990 to serve as a member of the board of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK), a position he held until 1993. He was Pennsylvania Governor Richard L. Thornburgh's appointee to the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) from 1979-1982 and served as its chairman of the board. In 1981, he was elected as chairman of the American Public Transit Association (APTA) for a one-year term.
Actively involved in politics, Girard-diCarlo has held positions with numerous local, state and federal campaigns including: treasurer of the Ridge for Governor Committee and chairman of the Governor’s Transition Team; Pennsylvania State chairman of the Bush-Cheney 2000 Campaign; co-chairman of the host committee for the 2000 Republican National Convention held in Philadelphia; and co-chairman of the Pennsylvania Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign and chair of the campaign's Pennsylvania State Finance Committee. Prior to his nomination as Ambassador to Austria, Mr. Girard-diCarlo had been Pennsylvania Finance Chairman for McCain for President 2008.
An active participant in the business and cultural communities, Girard-diCarlo served in leadership positions at the Philadelphia Orchestra and Academy of Music, the Walnut Street Theatre, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Arizona Heart Foundation, among others.
In 2005, Girard-diCarlo received the Americanism Award from the Anti-Defamation League. In 2003, he received the Gerald Abraham Award for Distinguished Service from Villanova University School of Law, where he had served for two years as chairman of the Board of Consultors. Also in 2003, Pope John Paul II conferred upon him the Pontifical Honor of Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great for his work with Business Leaders Organized for Catholic Schools. In 1999, he received the Judge Learned Hand Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee.
Girard-diCarlo holds a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law (1973) and a B.S. in history from St. Joseph's University (1970).