PHILADELPHIA – September 25, 2012 – Cozen O’Connor attorneys Kimya S.P. Johnson and Cheryl Upham have been recognized by The Legal Intelligencer as “Lawyers on the Fast Track.” The group of 32 attorneys was selected from over 100 submissions by an objective judging panel of seven members of the legal community. Nominees were judged on four areas: development of the law, advocacy, community contribution and service to the bar.

Kimya Johnson is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Group, and focuses her practice on a wide range of labor and employment matters, including state and federal employment discrimination claims under Title VII, FMLA, ADEA and the ADA, retaliation actions, ERISA claims, WARN Act litigation, executive contract issues, and labor issues. She also counsels employers with regard to human resources matters and has actively represented clients on a pro bono basis. Kimya maintains the position of Co-chair of the Diversity Committee, spearheading the firm’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion across the 21 offices and within the bar. Kimya is currently a member of several bar associations and civic organizations. She serves as the "First Lady" of the 3,000-member Bright Hope Baptist Church in Northeast Philadelphia, as well as on the Spectrum Awards Committee for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross. Upon graduating from Spelman College, cum laude, Kimya went on to earn her M.A. from Columbia University in 1999. She proceeded to Case Western Reserve University School of Law, earning her J.D., cum laude, in 2002.

Cheryl A. Upham joined the firm’s Philadelphia office in April 2009 and is a member of the Tax Practice Group in the Business Law Department. She concentrates her practice in the area of state and local tax law, including corporate and personal income, net worth/franchise, sales/use, property, payroll, and realty transfer taxes issues. Cheryl is an active member of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s State and Local Tax Committee, currently serves as Secretary of the SALT Committee, and will assume the role of Chair in 2014. Cheryl is a co-editor of the PA Tax Recap, a joint email service of Cozen O'Connor and the Pennsylvania Legislative Service (PLS) that delivers updates in Pennsylvania tax law to subscribers. Cheryl earned her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Villanova University and her J.D. and Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from Villanova University School of Law. In addition, Cheryl dedicates her time to a number of public service events offered through the firm.

Established in 1970 and ranked among the 100 largest law firms in the United States, Cozen O’Connor has 575 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and ambitious middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 21 offices across two continents.

###