Simeon D. Brier

Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
Chair, DEI Strategies & Solutions

Boca Raton

(305) 704-5942

(305) 403-9989

Miami

(305) 704-5942

Recent Publication:

A year since 'Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard': State attorneys general are split on DEI programs

In this article for Reuters/WestLaw Ketan Bhirud and Simeon Brier review where state AGs stand on DEI and analyze potential legal risks for businesses.

Simeon is a respected commercial litigator with more than two decades of experience handling complex business disputes in state and federal courts. He has led litigation in a wide range of legal areas, including contract and commercial law, construction, real estate, labor & employment, intellectual property, and insurance defense.

In 2023, Simeon was appointed inaugural chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives at Cozen O’Connor and tasked with leading firmwide efforts to promote greater diversity within the firm and beyond. As a proud member of the Latino community, Simeon has long been involved in diversity education and advocacy. He is an alumnus and fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, member of the firmwide DEI Committee, and member of the Hispanic Attorney Resource Group.

In his role as chair of DEI Initiatives, Simeon is focused on spearheading innovative collaborations between the firm and its ancillary businesses, as well as on DEI training within the firm and recruitment and retention of diverse attorneys. He is currently leading the development of the firm’s DEI Strategies and Solutions Group, a partnership among Cozen O’Connor, The Healy+ Group, and Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, to advise a wide range of institutional clients on how best to achieve diversity goals and comply with rapidly changing laws and regulations.

Simeon also works closely with the firm’s Legal Profession Services group, counselling clients on risk management, legal ethics, and professional responsibility issues associated with the practice of law. He is focusing on assisting law firm clients with appropriate integration of DEI-focused initiatives.

In addition to his service to the legal profession, Simeon is deeply engaged in his local community. A lifelong South Floridian, Simeon is the District 1 city commissioner and vice mayor of Parkland, Florida. Moved to run for public office in the aftermath of the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Simeon’s alma mater, he has since led major redistricting efforts, community investment, and redevelopment initiatives in his community and accrued valuable municipal government experience.

Simeon is a long-time member and trustee of the Parkland Chamber of Commerce; board member and former president/chair of SOS Children's Villages of Florida; past president and former board member of the Coral Springs Museum of Art; longstanding supporter of the Maya Macey Foundation; volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse – Operation Christmas Child; and supporter of numerous organizations created after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Simeon earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University in 2001, where he served as an articles editor and senior staff member of the Nova Law Review as well as captain of Nova’s Moot Court Sports Law Travel Team. He graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in 1997.

Experience

News

Cozen O’Connor Announces New Group Chairs, Office Managing Partners, Other Promotions

February 15, 2024

The firm announced several new practice group chairs, office managing partners, and leaders of firm committees and initiatives

Ask A Mentor: How Do I Balance Social Activism With My Job?

January 31, 2024

Diedrick Graham, Debra Friedman, and Simeon Brier spoke with Law360 on ethical, professional, and personal boundaries for attorneys pursuing social justice causes outside work.

Cozen O'Connor Launches DEI Practice, Names Group Leader

January 10, 2024

Cozen O'Connor, in collaboration with Healy+ and Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, has announced the launch of their DEI Strategies & Solutions Practice.

Simeon Brier Recognized as a 2023 Top Latino Lawyer by Latino Leaders Magazine

November 14, 2023

Simeon Brier, chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, has been recognized as a 2023 Top Latino Lawyer by Latino Leaders Magazine.

Simeon Brier Elected Vice Mayor of the Parkland City Commission

November 30, 2022

Cozen O’Connor is proud to announce that Simeon Brier has been elected vice mayor of the Parkland City Commission and reelected as the District One city commissioner.

Lifelong Love of Parkland Propels Litigation Attorney to City Commission Run

June 01, 2020

Simeon Brier was featured in Parkland Talk discussing how his lifelong love of Parkland has propelled him to run for city commission.

Simeon Brier Appointed to Board Chair of SOS Children’s Villages – Florida

January 27, 2020

Simeon Brier has been appointed chair of SOS Children’s Villages- Florida’s Board of Directors.

Publications

A year since 'Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard': State attorneys general are split on DEI programs

August 23, 2024

In this article for Reuters/WestLaw Ketan Bhirud and Simeon Brier review where state AGs stand on DEI and analyze potential legal risks for businesses.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from a Public Utility Perspective [Alert]

June 17, 2024

William Lesser discusses the evolving regulatory environment and challenges faced by public utility companies and their DEI efforts.

Dangerous Precedent, Call to Arms or Both? [Lawyers Representing Lawyers Blog]

August 15, 2023

In SEC v. Covington & Burling, LLP, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia recently ordered a large multinational law firm to disclose the names of its clients to the Securities and Exchange Commission, opening the door for regulators and potentially law enforcement agencies to...

Leveraging GIS-Based Technology for Adjacent Construction Claims

August 03, 2020

Simeon Brier and Matthew Criscuolo contributed an article to the ABA discussing how adjacent construction claims are teeming with complex, data-driven issues where technology can provide tools to aid in the investigation, management and resolution of such claims.

Do Your Job, Even if it Kills You? [CLM]

July 01, 2019

Simeon Brier and Matt Criscuolo contributed an article to CLM discussing the professional liability implications following the arrest of Marjory Stoneman Douglas' student Resource Offer Scot Peterson, in the wake of the February 2018 school shooting.

Events & Seminars

Upcoming Events

Leadership's Role in Supporting Belonging Culture

December 05, 2024 - Philadelphia, PA

Simeon Brier, Leslie Gomez, and Miguel Pozo will present “Leadership's Role in Supporting Belonging Culture” with Felicia Washington, Vice President of Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania, at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel Diversity Summit.

Past Events

Education

  • Nova Southeastern University, J.D., magna cum laude, 2001
  • Florida State University, B.S., 1997

Awards & Honors

Top Latino Lawyer, Latino Leaders Magazine, 2023

Rising Star, Florida Super Lawyers, 2011-2015

Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity 2013

Goodwin Fellow, Scholarship to Nova Southeastern University

 

  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court -- Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court -- Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court -- Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court -- Southern District of Florida
  • Palm Beach County Bar Association
  • Broward County Bar Association
  • Florida Bar Association, Business Law Section
  • Association of Trial Lawyers of America
  • City Commissioner and Vice Mayor, City of Parkland, Florida
  • Board Member and Past President/Chair, SOS Children's Villages of Florida
  • Trustee, Parkland Chamber of Commerce
  • Past President, Coral Springs Museum of Art