Former Penn. AG Jerry Pappert Joins Cozen

PHILADELPHIA – November 12, 2012 - Cozen O’Connor, among the 100 largest U.S. law firms, is pleased to announce that former Pennsylvania Attorney General and current Chairman of the Pennsylvania Banking and Securities

Commission Jerry Pappert has joined the firm’s Commercial Litigation group in Philadelphia. He also will be working closely with Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the firm’s ancillary bi-partisan government relations firm. Before joining Cozen O’Connor, Mr. Pappert served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Cephalon, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company.

Mr. Pappert will assist clients with services that include government investigations, white collar criminal matters, corporate compliance, government relations and strategy, and general commercial litigation.

“With his combined high-level government and corporate experience, Jerry brings unique insights into many of the most difficult and important issues facing our clients,” said Tad Decker, Chief Executive Officer of Cozen O’Connor. “We are extremely pleased to welcome Jerry to the firm.”

“Jerry is a great addition to our group,” said Jeffrey Weil, chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Commercial Litigation Group. “When clients are faced with high-stakes issues that involve civil, regulatory and even criminal aspects, it’s important to be able to offer solutions on all fronts.”  

Mr. Pappert, who started his career as a summer associate at Cozen O’Connor, said, “I chose to come to Cozen O’Connor because the firm offers a broad range of services, including extremely deep commercial litigation capabilities. Joining the firm enables me to use all facets of my background, from litigation to public policy.” He added, “I also have many long-time friendships here at Cozen so it was a natural fit.”

Mr. Pappert served in his position at Cephalon, a Fortune 1000 company based in Frazer, Pa., from 2008 – 2012. He was responsible for directing company legal matters, including the sale of the company to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

In September, Mr. Pappert was nominated by Governor Tom Corbett to serve as commissioner on the Pennsylvania Banking and Securities Commission. He was recently confirmed unanimously for the position by the Senate of Pennsylvania, and named by the Governor to serve as Chairman. The Commission administers and enforces rules and regulations under the Pennsylvania Securities Act and Takeover Disclosure Law.

AG Tenure

Mr. Pappert served as Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2005. As Attorney General, he led numerous high-profile investigations and criminal prosecutions in the areas of public corruption, organized crime, narcotics trafficking, insurance fraud, Medicaid fraud and environmental crimes, among others. He also reviewed proposed mergers in key industries and oversaw charitable trusts and organizations, including nonprofit health systems and other entities.

From 1997 to 2003, Pappert was Pennsylvania’s First Deputy Attorney General, during which time he successfully argued cases before the United States and Pennsylvania Supreme Courts. He was lead trial and appellate counsel in the Office’s successful effort to prevent the sale of Hershey Foods by the Hershey Trust Company, resulting in a landmark decision in the area of charitable trust law.

After leaving the Attorney General’s office and before becoming Cephalon’s General Counsel, Mr. Pappert was a partner at a large Philadelphia law firm. He earned his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School, and obtained a B.A. with honors from Villanova University.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970 and ranked among the 100 largest law firms in the United States, Cozen O’Connor has 575 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 ambitious middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 21 offices across two continents.