VANCOUVER, British Columbia – July 24, 2023 – As part its ongoing Canadian buildout, Cozen O'Connor today announced Atoussa Mahmoudpour has joined its North American Corporate Law group and will chair its new Canadian Life Sciences & Technology practice. Mahmoudpour, who comes to Cozen O’Connor from Norton Rose Fulbright, brings a diverse and impressive track record of handling a range of international M&A and other cross border transactions. She joins the firm as a member and will reside in its Vancouver, B.C. office at its new location in Bentall 5.
Though Mahmoudpour will focus primarily on life sciences and technology, she brings to the firm’s Corporate group substantial experience handling M&A transactions involving numerous other public/private enterprises, including those in the health and wellness, telecommunications, mining, communications, media, and entertainment sectors. Fluent in three languages — English, French, and Farsi — she has more than 12 years of international transaction experience, executing complex deals spanning Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
“Life sciences and technology continue to be among our fastest growing sectors, not just here in Canada but in the United States as well,” said Rory Godinho co-chair of the Cozen O’Connor’s Canadian Capital Markets & Securities practice. “Our clients need and demand that we provide legal prowess on both sides of the border — especially those clients looking to expand their footprint through M&A transactions. Atoussa brings us experience handling complex, international transactions around the globe. She’s a terrific addition, and I’m certain our clients will agree.”
Mahmoudpour’s background also includes serving as chief legal and privacy officer at a multi-billion dollar company listed on Canada’s TSX exchange. In that role, she advised senior executives on public company reporting obligations, corporate governance best practices, corporate/commercial data privacy issues, regulatory compliance, cross-border capital markets deals, and M&A transactions. That role helped her develop relationships with a range of regulatory bodies in the United States and Canada.
“Our goal is to continue to grow and expand our corporate service offerings in Canada, both to our life sciences and technology clients and others with domestic and international operations,” said Brigeeta Richdale, managing counsel of the Vancouver office and vice chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations group. “As part of our Corporate practice here in Vancouver, Atoussa obviously checks all the boxes, contributing further to our ability to provide a one-stop shop to all our business clients. I’m happy to welcome her to both the firm and our new Vancouver office.”
Recognized as a leader in her field by Chambers and Partners, Mahmoudpour is the recipient of numerous other legal awards, including the Western Canada General Counsel’s “Tomorrow's Leader Award” in 2022. She was also recognized as one of “Canada's Most Influential Lawyers” by Canadian Lawyer Magazine in 2022; a “Deal Making Finalist” in the 2022 Canada General Counsel Awards; and one of “Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women” by WXN Top Awards in 2021.
“Cozen O’Connor is a tremendous firm, and it’s the perfect fit for someone with my background,” Mahmoudpour said. “Like my clients, the firm has a strong entrepreneurial sensibility — one that truly embraces diversity while focusing on further expanding its footprint. This is a very good place for me to be.”
Mahmoudpour earned her LLB. at the University of Buckingham, and her B.A. at the University of British Columbia.
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.
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