PHILADELPHIA, March 5, 2024 — Chambers Global has recognized four Cozen O’Connor attorneys as worldwide leaders in their respective practices. Geoffrey Ferrer (New York – Transportation & Trade), Shane Hardy (Toronto – Intellectual Property), Michael Osborne (Toronto – Antitrust & Competition),and Steven Weisz (Toronto – Bankruptcy & Restructuring) were ranked in their practice areas based on their legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness and client service. In addition, Chambers Global has recognized Cozen O’Connor’s Labor and Employment Practice.
The annual Chambers Global rankings are based on client and peer references from around the world as well as information gathered from Chambers’ own independent research. “Geoffrey, Shane, Michael, and Steven exemplify our firm’s expanding global reach and achievement,” said Cozen O’Connor Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Heller. “We are thrilled to be recognized again by Chambers Global, and by extension, our clients, in the areas of Labor & Employment, Intellectual Property, Transportation & Trade, Bankruptcy & Restructuring, and Antitrust & Competition.”
Geoffrey Ferrer, co-managing partner of the New York office and co-vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Transportation & Trade Practice, has been ranked in the Chambers USA since 2014. He has been described in the Chambers global rankings as “a wonderfully capable, very well-regarded attorney.” Ferrer focuses his finance practice on the representation of vessel owners and operators, and financial institutions in high-value U.S. and non-U.S. flag regulatory and transactional shipping matters. He is the author of the "Judicial Sales and Priority of Liens - United States," chapter in the Maritime Law Handbook. Best Lawyers named Ferrer New York Transportation Law “Lawyer of the Year” in 2020 and 2023. This is the sixth year Ferrer has been recognized by Chambers Global. He has also been ranked for the fourth year in the Chambers Asia-Pacific guide.
Shane Hardy, chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Canadian Intellectual Property Practice Group, has an extensive trademark practice and is one of the few Canadian practitioners recognized for his experience in both contentious proceedings and commercial transactions relating to intellectual property. Stated one client in the global rankings, he "is an excellent lawyer, who provides sound advice and is always ready to support clients.” Equally adept at both dispute and transactional matters, Hardy frequently represents well-known brands needing advice in acquiring branded businesses, licensing, enforcement, and trademark protection. Major international corporations and successful domestic businesses rely on his counsel for all aspects of their intellectual property needs. He has been recognized similarly by Managing Intellectual Property, World Intellectual Property Review, and the World Trademark Review Top 1000. This is the fifth year he has been ranked by Chambers Global and the sixth year he has been recognized by Chambers Canada.
Michael Osborne, chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Canadian Competition Practice, has been ranked in Chambers Global for 11 years and in the Chambers Canada guide since its first year of publication. He focuses his practice on competition, regulatory, corruption, complex commercial litigation, and arbitration. He advises and represents clients involved in competition and regulatory inquiries, criminal and administrative prosecutions, class-actions and other competition litigation and disputes. He has acted as trial and appellate counsel before all levels of court across the country, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has tried several cases before the Competition Tribunal and appeared as counsel before arbitral tribunals in international and domestic arbitrations, both institutional and ad hoc. Osborne has also been recognized by Best Lawyers, Who’s Who, Martindale-Hubbell, and Lexpert. A client, quoted by Chambers in the global rankings, shared that “Michael is a very thoughtful and strategic lawyer.”
Steven Weisz, managing partner of the Toronto office and Chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Canadian Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Restructuring Group, concentrates his practice on commercial litigation and insolvency law. Bringing over three decades of experience, he guides his clients through all aspects of complex domestic and multinational insolvencies. He regularly represents purchasers of distressed debt and assets, debtors, directors, court-appointed officers, and major stakeholders of insolvent businesses — often, on an urgent basis. Weisz is a member of the Insolvency Institute of Canada, an editor of the National Creditor Debtor Review, and past president of the Toronto Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. Noted by Chambers sources for his litigation focus and experience in creditor-side work, Chambers quoted clients stating, “He is very considerate and thoughtful in his approach and advice.” Weisz has been ranked in Chambers Global since 2009 and in Chambers Canada since 2016.
Chambers Global recognition of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor and Employment Department reaffirms the depth and continued growth of the practice to almost 90 attorneys, practicing in every region of the United States and in Canada.
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 30 offices across two continents.
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