Department profile
Cozen O'Connor

Higher Education

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide

Share profile

Cozen O'Connor

Rankings

About

Provided by Cozen O'Connor

Cozen O'Connor is at the forefront of providing legal services for all manner of educational institutions in a rapidly evolving world. Using a collaborative approach, we employ attorneys from varying disciplines to create the best team for our clients. Cozen O’Connor’s diverse practices provide comprehensive legal services for institutions of higher education across the nation, including the Institutional Response Group, Labor and Employment, and Intellectual Property, among other litigation and counseling practices. Our attorneys have extensive experience in policy and systems design related to compliance, practical implementation of federal and state civil rights frameworks, board governance, bond issues, commercial litigation, employment counseling and litigation, energy, export controls, finance, government affairs, health care, immigration, intellectual property, investigations and adjudications, protection of minors, real estate, risk management, Title IX, the Clery Act, and union matters. Our ancillary businesses, the Healy+ Group and COSECURE, provide colleges and universities with safety, security, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance services.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Higher Education - USA - Nationwide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Cozen O’Connor is known for its higher education practice, with a focus on university-related litigation and regulatory matters. The team advises on Title IX and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance, and provides employment counseling and litigation support, including matters involving collective bargaining. The firm also has experience conducting internal investigations arising from issues such as sexual misconduct, pay equity and discrimination.

View ranking table

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Cozen O’Connor continued to represent Columbia University in labor negotiations with its graduate student union.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Cozen O’Connor is the best in the country for civil rights matters in the higher education system. Their subject-matter expertise is wonderful.

    Higher Education respondentUSA

  • Cozen O’Connor identifies challenging areas and provides a multitude of realistic solutions. The team is also professional and easy to work with.

    Higher Education respondentUSA

  • Cozen O’Connor offers pragmatic, business‑focused advice. Its litigators leverage their Higher Ed expertise in strategy and throughout the entire litigation process. They are very responsive and proactive.

    Higher Education respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Gina Maisto Smith
    Gina Maisto Smith

    Gina Maisto Smith

    Gina Maisto Smith is known for her expertise in managing institutional response to discrimination, harassment and misconduct allegations. She brings her abilities to bear for university clients in investigations and Title IX compliance.

    • Gina has tremendous knowledge, experience, judgment and wisdom. She also offers great interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

      Higher Education respondentUSA
    View profile
  • Anna Wermuth
    Anna Wermuth

    Anna Wermuth

    Anna Wermuth is vice-chair of Cozen O'Connor's labor & employment department. She has expertise in representing higher education institutions during collective bargaining agreements, unionization matters and contract negotiations. She is based at the firm's Chicago office.

    • Anna Wermuth is one of our go-to attorneys in the space. She is efficient and very knowledgeable about employment matters and union negotiation. She always does an amazing job.

      Higher Education respondentUSA
    View profile
  • Leslie M. Gomez
    Leslie M. Gomez

    Leslie M. Gomez

    Leslie Gomez is the vice-chair of Cozen O'Connor's institutional response group. She is skilled at assisting higher education clients in cases of serious sexual misconduct, discrimination and harassment. She is based at the firm's Philadelphia office.

    • Leslie Gomez is a pleasure to work with. She makes herself available and is always willing to share best practices with me.

      Higher Education respondentUSA
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Cozen O'Connor (3)

USA - Nationwide

Members

Provided by Cozen O'Connor

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership