Institutional Response Group

Recent News:

Leslie M. Gomez ’95 Fosters Diverse Alumni Community as President of Yale Law School Association

Leslie Gomez spoke with Yale Law School regarding the advantages associated with the Yale Law School Association.

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Cozen O’Connor’s Institutional Response Group delivers holistic responses to institutions confronting sexual and gender-based harassment and violence, child abuse, safety and security issues, and other forms of misconduct. We represent colleges, universities, K-12 educational and other child-serving institutions, as well as corporations, hospitals, religious institutions, and not-for-profit organizations, in connection with policy, compliance, investigations, and governance issues. 

Our Institutional Response attorneys have decades of experience conducting high-profile investigations into sexual and gender-based harassment and violence, child abuse, and other forms of misconduct, and assisting institutions in implementing trauma-informed, fair and impartial prevention and resolution processes.

Cozen O’Connor’s Institutional Response Group is led by recognized thought leaders in the field and features 10 pillars of practice:

  • Policy development and audit;
  • Design of infrastructure, systems and protocols;
  • Investigations and hearing services;
  • Training and education;
  • Title IX, Clery, child protection, and other regulatory compliance;
  • Coordination with law enforcement in parallel investigations;
  • Counseling and advice;
  • Institutional governance;
  • Community engagement; and
  • Public service.

Our Institutional Response attorneys have been at the helm of high-profile investigations and engagements at major public and private educational institutions, including both secular and religious institutions, throughout the country. In addition, members of the Institutional Response Group have a long-standing investigative practice in the white collar, government and regulatory, and pharmaceutical arenas.

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Publications

COVID-19 and Clery Act Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education

May 07, 2020

Cozen O’Connor’s Institutional Response Group and Margolis Healy outline the Clery Act implications for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

Leadership's Role in Supporting Belonging Culture

December 05, 2024 - Philadelphia, PA

Diving into Clery Compliance

October 29, 2024 - Burlington, VT

Intersection of Title IX Regulation and Litigation

October 29, 2024 - Burlington, VT

Title IX Programs

May 14, 2024 - Saint Davids, PA

Toxic Lab Environments and Harassment in Research

November 04, 2022 - Washington, D.C.

NACUA Annual Conference 2022

June 26, 2022 - Pittsburgh, PA

The Ethics of High Stakes Communications

December 01, 2021 - Webinar

In The News

A New Title IX Era Brings Confusion and Frustration

August 01, 2024

Leslie Gomez and Gina Maisto Smith were quoted in an Inside Higher Ed article discussing the Biden administration's new Title IX regulations, which have sparked significant legal challenges across the country.

Leslie Gomez Honored by NACUA with 2024 First Decade Award

June 12, 2024

Leslie Gomez, vice chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Institutional Response Group, has been honored by the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) with the 2024 First Decade Award.

Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Win Several PA Legal Awards; Firm Named Finalist for Law Firm of the Year

March 19, 2024

John Cunningham, Steven Haas, Kristina Bakardjiev, Dylan Alper, and Maureen Holland were all recognized this year.

CSU, Nation's Largest University System, Mishandled Sexual Misconduct, Bullying Claims

July 18, 2023

Gina Maisto Smith was quoted in USA Today regarding the Institutional Response Group's findings concerning sexual misconduct within the California State University system.

Leslie M. Gomez ’95 Fosters Diverse Alumni Community as President of Yale Law School Association

June 02, 2023

Leslie Gomez spoke with Yale Law School regarding the advantages associated with the Yale Law School Association.

Cozen O’Connor Brings its Institutional Response and Subrogation Practices to Boston

February 28, 2023

Jeffrey Bourgeois and Shannon M. Warren — to its Boston office. Bourgeois, who previously served as assistant attorney general in the Human Trafficking Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office, joins the IRG as counsel. Warren, who previously served as partner and vice president at Uehlein & Associates, joins the firm’s Subrogation & Recovery Department as a member.

Leslie Gomez Selected to Latino Leaders Magazine 2021 Top Latino Lawyers List

December 09, 2021

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that Leslie Gomez, vice chair of the firm’s Institutional Response Group, has been selected to Latino Leaders Magazine 2021 Top Latino Lawyers list.

Maureen Holland Named LGBT Bar Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40

March 02, 2020

Maureen Holland, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Institutional Response Group, has been recognized by the LGBT Bar as one of the 40 Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40.

Gina Maisto Smith Receives Corporate Counsel 2019 Women, Influence & Power in Law Lifetime Achievement Award

December 09, 2019

Gina Maisto Smith has been selected by Corporate Counsel and InsideCounsel as an honoree for their 2019 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards (formerly known as the National Women in Law Awards).

Contacts

Gina Maisto Smith

Chair, Institutional Response Group

gmsmith@cozen.com

(215) 665-5540

Leslie M. Gomez

Vice Chair, Institutional Response Group

lgomez@cozen.com

(215) 665-5546

People

Awards

Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Win Several PA Legal Awards; Firm Named Finalist for Law Firm of the Year

March 19, 2024

John Cunningham, Steven Haas, Kristina Bakardjiev, Dylan Alper, and Maureen Holland were all recognized this year.

Leslie Gomez Selected to Latino Leaders Magazine 2021 Top Latino Lawyers List

December 09, 2021

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that Leslie Gomez, vice chair of the firm’s Institutional Response Group, has been selected to Latino Leaders Magazine 2021 Top Latino Lawyers list.

Related Industries

The Healy+ Group is a professional services firm specializing in organizational assessments for higher education police and campus safety organizations, Clery Act compliance consulting, after-action reviews and special investigations, expert consulting for civil litigation, and culture and strategy services focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and initiatives. The Healy+ Group serves a broad client base, including higher education, private entities, health care, government, and non-profit entities. We maintain a strong connection with COSECURE, collaborating on assessments that have a physical security, emergency management, and/or cyber-security component. No matter your unique needs, The Healy+ Group is ready to exceed your expectations. Learn More
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