Cozen O'Connor Welcomes Back James Schultz

Philadelphia, November 10, 2014— Cozen O’Connor is pleased to welcome James D. Schultz back to the firm as a member and chair of the newly formed Government Law and Regulatory Affairs Practice. Since 2011, Schultz has served in the Governor’s Office of General Counsel. He was appointed as First Executive Deputy General Counsel in 2011 and in 2012 was appointed by Governor Tom Corbett to head that office as General Counsel of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

“We are thrilled that Jim has returned to Cozen O’Connor and proud of his years of service on behalf of the commonwealth,” said Michael J. Heller, CEO of Cozen O’Connor. “With his deep and extensive experience with government and regulatory matters, as well as his previous work as a litigator with Cozen O’Connor and his time with the U.S. Department of Justice, he will provide unique insights to help our clients resolve countless legal and regulatory issues.”

As general counsel of the commonwealth, Schultz served as the chief legal officer for the executive branch of government, providing legal counsel to the governor, his executive staff, and cabinet officials. He managed a statewide legal organization comprising nearly 500 lawyers serving 36 executive agencies and independent state boards and commissions. He oversaw all major procurements, transactions, litigation, and the preparation of legislation and regulations on behalf of the administration and commonwealth agencies under the governor’s jurisdiction. Subject matter areas included: agriculture; banking and securities; primary, secondary and higher education; energy; environment; insurance/health care; labor/employment; municipal financial distress, pensions; taxes/revenue; and transportation/infrastructure. Schultz's responsibilities also included initiating and overseeing internal investigations and state agency interaction with the federal government on legal matters.

“It was an honor to serve the governor and the people of Pennsylvania,” Schultz said. “I am proud of what we were able to accomplish during the past four years. I now look forward to this exciting new opportunity to build upon Cozen O'Connor's commitment to provide full service for our clients, including assisting them with government and regulatory needs."


Prior to his service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Schultz served as a litigator with Cozen O’Connor, successfully handling matters throughout the United States in both state and federal court. He served with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where he worked closely with the U.S. Attorney on public policy initiatives and public awareness initiatives throughout the region. He was the liaison to federal, state and local government and law enforcement officials and agencies.

Active in politics and the community throughout his career, Schultz has advised candidates running for federal, state and local office. He has also served as chairman of the Executive Committee for the Steward’s Alliance of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and on the boards of the Athletic Advantage Fund and the Christian Street YMCA. He was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA.

He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and the District of New Jersey.

Schultz earned his law degree from the Widener University School of Law, where he served as a student law clerk for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Thomas Saylor. He earned his undergraduate degree from Temple University, where he was a member of the Temple Owls football team. Immediately following law school, Schultz served as a law clerk to the late Honorable Vincent A. Cirillo, President Judge Emeritus of the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, 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 middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 23 offices across two continents.