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Cozen O’Connor renames 1L Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship to honor the legacy of Bernard Lee L’77

January 13, 2022

Lee was one of the longest-tenured Black attorneys of his generation to ascend to the highest ranks of the Am Law 100.

Cozen O’Connor recently changed the name of its 1L Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship to the “Bernard Lee Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholars Program” to honor their late shareholder Bernard Lee L’77 and his passion for mentoring young lawyers and developing a pipeline of diverse talent within the firm and the legal profession.

The scholarship was also expanded in Lee’s honor, increasing the potential in scholarship funds to $15,000, and the firm anticipates increasing the number of scholars as well.

Lee passed away unexpectedly in November 2021 after suffering a cardiac incident at a Philadelphia 76ers game. He was a nationally known real estate lawyer who advised developers, corporations, and governmental and quasi-governmental entities on developing and financing complex real estate projects. He served as the former co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Real Estate Practice and was a two-term member of the firm’s board of directors. He also served as a former member of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.

Lee’s legacy extended well beyond the sports arenas and skyscrapers he helped usher into existence. As one of the longest-tenured Black attorneys of his generation to ascend to the highest ranks of the Am Law 100, he worked to pave the way for other diverse attorneys to follow in his footsteps. He was a former president of The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, a local affiliate of the National Bar Association; a longtime leader in the Real Estate Executive Council; and general counsel to the local chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. He received numerous awards and recognitions for such service, including the Women’s Division of the National Bar Association Renaissance Man Award and the Sadie Alexander Barristers’ Award.

“Through his genuine commitment to make our firm a welcoming environment, Bernard worked tirelessly to mentor countless young diverse attorneys at the firm, and most recently as a member of our integration team to ensure that all of our new diverse hires felt immediately included and properly acclimated into our firm,” said Michael Heller, President and CEO of Cozen O’Connor. “Bernard’s work was invaluable to the fabric of our culture, and with this scholarship, we hope to honor his memory.”

The firm established the fellowship in 2018 for students in their first year of law school with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion. Following their 1L year, scholars participate in the firm’s summer associate program and a diversity and inclusion mentorship program. Scholars are also eligible for up to $15,000 in scholarship money to help defray the cost of law school tuition and related expenses.