Former Wolf Block Chairman Mark Alderman will join Cozen O'Connor as a member of its government relations practice with a particular emphasis on federal public strategies. He will be splitting his time between the firm's New York, Philadelphia and DC offices. Alderman, who served as chair of Wolf Block since 1997, also formerly chaired Wolf Block Government Relations, LP and Wolf Block Public Strategies, LLC.
“I look forward to turning my attention from administrative management to full time government relations, which is my true passion,” said Alderman. “I spoke to a number of firms after the vote to dissolve Wolf Block, but I have always been impressed by Cozen's entrepreneurial spirit and its aggressive growth rate for such a young firm.”
“Mark has long been a respected colleague in our legal community. We know he had many choices and we’re pleased he chose to join us,” said Cozen O'Connor CEO Tad Decker. “The caliber of attorneys who joined from Wolf Block is unparalleled and has allowed us to expand our business services in key practice areas, such as government relations, private client services, corporate law, tax, and real estate.”
The past four months have been a tremendous growth period for the firm. In addition to the 66 attorneys from Wolf Block, 10 attorneys joined who practice various aspects of business law.
Last week, Cozen O'Connor announced that 27 attorneys joined the firm's New York office from Wolf Block, increasing the firm's presence in the city to nearly 100. In March, 30 Wolf Block attorneys joined the firm, mainly in Philadelphia. That group included 11 attorneys from the private client services group, including chair Rob Friedman, and 15 from the real estate department, including chair Herman Fala.
An active supporter of the Democratic Party, Alderman has held many positions within the party, including member, Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team; member, Obama-Biden Inaugural Finance Committee; member, Obama for America National Finance Committee; and co-chair, Kerry for President National Finance Committee.
Alderman has also held several public positions, including chair, advisory board, Philadelphia International Airport; member, Governor Edward G. Rendell Retirement Systems Transition Committee; and member, Philadelphia 21st Century Review Forum Right Sizing Government Committee.
Admitted to the bars of the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and the U.S. Supreme Court, Alderman is a member of the Order of the Coif and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Alderman received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Brown University in 1975 and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978, where he served as Editor of the Law Review. He was Law Clerk to the Honorable Joseph S. Lord, III, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 1978-1979.