PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 29, 2008 Cozen O'Connor has announced that the Honorable James Gardner Colins will join the firm as a Member in the General Litigation department. He will concentrate his practice in the areas of public utility and insurance regulation. Hon. Colins will join the firm in July, 2008.

A judge with the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania since 1984, Colins, who stepped down from the court in January 2008, is the longest-serving judge and the only one to have served two five-year terms as President Judge. During his tenure, he led the court to its lowest inventory in 28 years, with the shortest time elapsing between case assignment and opinion filing in its history. An active participant in the judicial and legal communities, Colins served as a member and chairman of the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board, handling and investigating complaints of judicial misconduct, and currently serves on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania's Special Committee on Judicial Education. In 23 years on the court, and during his time as judge with the Philadelphia Municipal Court and as an Assistant District Attorney, Colins became well-known for his candor, forceful opinions, and extensive legal knowledge.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jim to the firm," said Thomas A. Decker, President and CEO of Cozen O'Connor. "His knowledge of the law, his dedication to public service, and his commitment to upholding the highest standards of the legal profession will be an asset to our clients."

"I am looking forward to joining Cozen O'Connor because I believe it is the world's preeminent law firm in matters of litigation," said Colins. "From a 24 year career in Commonwealth Court, as well as in private practice, I have been fortunate to have acquired significant expertise in the areas of public and private utility law, regulations and organization, and I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the many highly respected attorneys at Cozen."

Prior to being elected to the Commonwealth Court, Colins served on the Philadelphia Municipal Court for three years following the private practice of law. He also served as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia County under U.S. Senator Arlen Specter. He is a frequent lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, the Pennsylvania Defense Institute, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, numerous county bar associations, as well as other professional organizations.

Colins is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA, 1968) and Villanova University School of Law (JD, 1971). A frequent author and speaker on legal topics, he has been honored with the American Hellenic Lawyers' Outstanding Service Award, the John Peter Zenger Law Society's Distinguished Jurist Award, and the Philadelphia Flag Day Association's Public Service Award. Colins is also a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and a member of Scribes - The American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects.

Founded in 1970, Cozen O'Connor is ranked among the 100 largest law firms in the United States, serving business, insurance and private clients. Cozen O'Connor is a full-service firm with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 23 offices. The firm has 21 offices located across the United States and international offices in London and Toronto.

Download a photo of Colins here (http://www.cozen.com/cozendocs/outgoing/colins/JudgeColins.jpg). For more information or to speak to Colins, contact Jennifer Bilotta at 215-793-4666 or 215-206-6268 (cell).

Editor's Note: Colins resides in Philadelphia with his wife, Judith Nilon, Esquire, and their four children.

Education:

University of Pennsylvania, BA, 1968

Villanova University School of Law, JD, 1971

Awards:

-- Philadelphia Flag Day Association Annual Award for

"Distinguished Public Service

-- Elected a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia

-- John Peter Zenger Law Society, Distinguished Juror Award, 1996

-- American Hellenic Lawyers, Outstanding Service Award, 1996

-- Northeast High School Student/Senate Distinguished Service

Award

-- Northeast High School Alumni Service Award

Memberships:

-- Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judiciary, Academy and Bar

committees.

-- Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Special Committee on Judicial

Council of PA (1998-2007)

-- American Bar Association Commission on Opportunities for

Minorities in the Profession (President, 1997-1998)

-- Scribes (The American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects)

CONTACT: Cozen O'Connor Jennifer Bilotta, 215-793-4666 Cell: 215-206-6268

Last Updated: May 29, 2008 17:22 EDT