CHICAGO, December 1, 2020 — Patrick Martin, principal and Midwest director of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, has been honored by the University of Illinois with a 2020 Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
The annual awards are sponsored by the university’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), where Martin received his undergraduate degree in international, resource and consumer economics. He was honored at a virtual awards ceremony on November 30.
Celebrating alumni who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, or through outstanding leadership or service have significantly enhanced or improved the lives of others, the awards also honors service to professional organizations, the University of Illinois, the College of ACES, and community achievement.
“We are pleased to honor Patrick with an outstanding young alumni award for his impressive professional accomplishments and his unwavering commitment to give back to the community, the University of Illinois and the College of ACES,” said Kirk Builta, president of the College of ACES Alumni Association.
Martin’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award comes on the heels of his being named to the Crain’s Chicago Business “40 under 40” list where he was recognized for his professional, civic, and charitable contributions. The select list highlights Chicago’s most accomplished young business, nonprofit, government, and cultural leaders and their profound impact on Chicago business and the community.
Directing Cozen O’Connor’s government relations and public advocacy efforts in the Midwest, Martin works out of the firm’s Chicago and Washington, D.C., offices. His practice focuses on advising large national and international companies in the health care, energy, financial services, retail, transportation, cannabis, and higher education industries, helping them to manage their most complex government affairs matters and distinguishing himself by providing sophisticated advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.
“To service such an impressive roster of clients across so many formidable venues, Patrick built a team from the ground up, recruiting recognized talent from across the country, and creating one of the most successful government relations and public affairs practices in the nation,” said Jeremy Glenn, Cozen O’Connor’s Chicago office managing partner, who nominated him for this award. “Patrick’s six-person team represents marquee clients in every major policy discussion, from cannabis and energy to privacy and consumer protection.”
In his role at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, Martin has greatly expanded representation of the firm’s Midwest clients in the nation’s capital, receiving recognition from The Hill newspaper as one of their “Top Lobbyists of 2018” and again in 2019 in the “Hired Guns” category.
Prior to joining Cozen O’Connor, Martin spent several years at another national law and consulting firm where he rose to become the youngest senior vice president in that firm’s history. During that time, he also worked closely with former Indiana Governor and U.S. Senator Evan Bayh in both government and private practice roles.
Since returning to Chicago in 2018, Martin has been reconnecting with those organizations that have meant the most to him. He is a longtime member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association, participating in local clubs in both Chicago and in Washington, D.C. — counseling students and interns on how to best pursue careers in government and public policy. He also serves on the Junior Board of Catholic Charities and was most recently named to the organization’s Government Relations Executive Board.
Martin graduated from the University of Illinois College of ACES (B.S. 2009, agricultural and consumer economics) where he was an Illinois General Assembly Scholar. He is a native of both Fox River Grove and St. Charles, Ill. He graduated from St. Charles East High School in 2005 where he was one of two Illinois delegates to the annual U.S. Senate Youth Program in Washington D.C. He currently resides in Glen Ellyn, Ill., with his wife Caitlin and their two children, Lucy and George.
About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans across several industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has more than 825 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 middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor services its clients’ needs through 32 offices across two continents.