Cozen O’Connor Welcomes Tech Attorney to its Corporate Practice

NEW YORK, NY — May 5, 2020 — Cozen O’Connor today announced tech law attorney Frank A. Pugliese — who advises clients on matters ranging from complex, technology-related outsourcing/licensing and cloud-based deals to data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity compliance — joined its national Corporate Practice, further deepening the firm’s technology, privacy and data security capabilities.

Pugliese comes to the firm from Baker & Hostetler LLP, where he was a partner in that firm’s Digital Assets and Data Management practice. He joins Cozen O’Connor as a member and will work out of the firm’s midtown Manhattan office.

Pugliese focuses his practice on strategic outsourcing and cloud-based transactions, optimizing digital assets, internal data management and privacy governance, as well as M&A and other corporate-level technology transactions. His clients range from global players in the professional services, retail, health care, and investment banking fields to major telecommunications and cable service providers.

“Simply put, Frank’s a dealmaker. Whether it’s bringing a new trading platform to the marketplace or helping the client outsource part of its digital operations, Frank identifies the legal potholes and then negotiates a transaction that protects the client’s interests,” said Michael Heller, Executive Chairman and CEO of Cozen O’Connor. “Tech law is integral to every business large and small and an important part of our strategic growth plan. He’s an excellent addition to our Corporate Practice and our newly formed Technology, Privacy & Data Security group and I’m excited to welcome him to the firm.”

Pugliese most recently negotiated a cloud-based managed hosting solution for one of the largest professional service firms in the country. Advising the client throughout the process, he led the vendor negotiations and drafted the transaction documents. Prior to that, he represented a multinational organization in the development, licensing and implementation of a global multimedia storage and retrieval system for a top four major U.S. sports organization. In that case, he was the lead attorney in the transaction negotiating the terms directly with the sports organization.

“Data, how it’s collected, handled, and protected, will continue to dominate businesses globally,” Pugliese said. “As many of my clients cross multiple industry and geographic boundaries, Cozen O’Connor will allow me to tap into a wide range of legal resources and provide comprehensive legal services, regardless of the client’s issue, size, or business. I’m excited to be here and am looking forward to working with my new colleagues.”

Pugliese has been listed in Who's Who Legal: Information Technology (2013 to 2016); The Best Lawyers in America, 2008 to present; Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year,” (2012); and was named a New York “Super Lawyer” in 2006, 2009 to 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

He earned his J.D. at Fordham University School of Law and his B.A. from New York University.

Cozen O’Connor announced yesterday that nine attorneys from Baer Crossey McDemus LLC — a nationally known tech law boutique that counsels startups, emerging growth companies, and corporate clients on a range of financial, technology and privacy related issues — joined its Philadelphia office. The new hires, which include managing partners Andrew Baer, Michael Crossey and Christopher McDemus, will stretch the firm’s reach within the global technology, startup, and emerging growth business communities.