New York – January 26, 2021 – Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce corporate governance and securities attorney Mehrnaz Jalali will be joining the New York office as a member of the Corporate Governance & Securities Practice. Jalali brings significant experience advising on corporate governance and securities disclosure and reporting on significant public equity and debt offerings, as well as a strong background in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters. The Corporate Governance & Securities Practice has experienced a significant growth in activity; Jalali’s exceptional track record and depth of industry connections will be a welcome addition to the practice.
“Wall Street has seen a record number of corporate activities over the past 12 months, whether offerings, mergers, and new listings. Having someone like Naz who is familiar with the intricacies and sensitive nature of corporate governance and securities laws is a significant benefit for the practice,” commented Katayun Jaffari, chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Corporate Governance & Securities Practice. “We anticipate a significant increase in the workflow in the capital markets arena, and having a trusted corporate adviser to help navigate these often complicated waters is a tremendous asset for our clients.”
Jalali has been a trusted corporate adviser for several major NYSE and NASDAQ listed companies including in the gaming, specialty products, and energy and utility industries. She has assisted in significant transactions including having represented a NYSE-listed energy company in a $600 million underwritten public offering of a low-vote class of equity as well as having represented a NASDAQ-listed biopharmaceutical company in connection with a $258 million public equity offering. She also represented the underwriters in connection with a $300 million public offering of senior unsecured notes of a natural gas company. She successfully represented a NYSE-listed large energy company in the creation, structuring, solicitation of stockholder approval of two new classes of low-vote common stock and distribution of the new stock through a stock split.
“Naz has shown a depth of substantive knowledge that has allowed her to successfully advise companies in some of the most challenging times,” said Michael C. Schmidt, Cozen O’Connor’s Co-Managing Partner of the New York office. “Having her experience and reputation as a trusted adviser for our clients within the sensitive areas of corporate governance and disclosure and reporting, as well as the ability to build relationships, makes her a welcome addition to the New York team.”
“This is truly an exciting time to be working in the heart of the capital markets with such a compelling team behind me,” Jalali said. “Cozen O’Connor allows me to give my clients an unmatched arsenal of resources and experience to help advise and provide the highest level of legal guidance whether focusing on governance matters, corporate activities such as mergers or equity offerings, or best ESG practices.”
Jalali earned her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business, and her J.D. from the University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphries School of Law where she graduated cum laude. She was a University of Memphis Law Review notes editor and a recipient of the CALI Award for constitutional law.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 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 serves its clients’ needs through 32 offices across two continents.