Cozen O’Connor continues to grow its presence in Los Angeles with the addition of Amy B. Alderfer and Maria Louise (Ria) Cousineau, who join as members. Alderfer joins the Commercial Litigation Department and Cousineau joins the Global Insurance Department.

“With the hiring of Amy and Ria, Cozen O’Connor further enhances the depth and strength of our Los Angeles office,” said Howard D. Maycon, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. “Along with our other recent additions, we are steadily growing our presence on the west coast and the range of services that we can provide to our clients throughout the state.”

The hiring of Alderfer and Cousineau follows the firm’s recent announcement that labor and employment member Michelle Flores joined the firm’s Los Angeles office.

In addition to the member hirings in Los Angeles of Alderfer, Cousineau and Flores, Cozen O’Connor’s recent new hires across the country have included several other female members. Most recently, corporate partner Ingrid Welch joined the Philadelphia office, and Linda Riefberg, a financial services litigator and former chief counsel in the Department of Enforcement of FINRA joined the firm’s New York office.

“Cozen O’Connor has earned a reputation for our diversity,” said Vincent R. McGuinness, Jr., firm-wide managing partner. “We are strongly committed to offering a welcoming environment to talented attorneys of all genders, races, cultures and sexual orientations. The American Lawyer recently recognized that we put words into action when it named Cozen O’Connor among the top five law firms for women in leadership positions. We are pleased to welcome Amy and Ria to the firm.”

Alderfer is an experienced commercial litigator who has represented plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts. Previously of counsel with Greenberg Traurig LLP, she advises clients on all aspects of litigation, from pretrial matters through trial and appeal. Her practice encompasses pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, products liability, securities litigation and arbitration and commercial lease litigation. She also has experience representing businesses and individuals in major commercial disputes. Alderfer also currently serves as president of the Century City Bar Association.

Previously a partner with Sedgwick LLP, Cousineau focuses her practice on complex insurance coverage matters and bad faith litigation. She represents major insurance companies with all types of commercial and personal lines insurance policies. She also represents agents and brokers in professional liability cases and handles other general commercial litigation. Cousineau is also a volunteer mediator/arbitrator for numerous courts in Los Angeles County.

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