HOUSTON, April 7, 2025 – Cozen O'Connor today welcomed prominent litigator and former Texas state district court judge Jeff K. Work to its fast-growing Global Insurance Department. Work, who focuses his practice on corporate-level civil and commercial litigation, including product liability cases, joins Cozen O’Connor as a member and will work out of its Houston office.
Work comes to the firm from Germer P.L.L.C. and has spent nearly four decades defending major enterprises throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. A long-time Houston resident, he represents clients in state and federal courtrooms throughout Texas, and surrounding states. His cases have involved mass tort dockets, employment matters, insurance coverage issues, products liability, construction, oil & gas. and commercial litigation.
“Texas is not only one of the nation’s largest insurance markets, but one of the largest in the world. Unfortunately, insurance-related business disputes are a fact of life and adding a Texas-based litigator with a background as strong as Jeff’s is a major win for our department,” said Joseph A. Ziemianski, co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Global Insurance Department. “Our clients continue to face a range of difficult insurance challenges, from climate-related coverage disputes to ever-changing regulatory requirements, and Jeff’s level of courtroom experience is in great demand. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the firm.”
Elected Judge of the 189th Civil District Court in Harris County, Texas, in November 1998, Work served in that capacity until April 2003. In that role, he conducted almost 100 civil trials.
“With one of the nation’s busiest ports, Houston has become a top destination for foreign trade and investment. As a result, the city’s economy and business community has become quite diverse,” said David L. Barron, the firm’s office managing partner in Houston. “With his background as both as a judge and a veteran business litigator — one who has presided over or represented a diverse range of clients in high-profile matters — Jeff is obviously an important addition to our office. I’m very happy to welcome him aboard.”
Recently elected to serve as regional director for the State Bar of Texas Board (2024-2027), Work also serves as a mediator and arbitrator in a range of business matters. He has served on several Houston Bar Association (HBA) committees, including the AIDS Outreach, Bench Bar Conference, Communities in Schools, and Judicial Polls committees. Work has also been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer.
“As a former judge who presided over several important trials, I very much enjoyed my time in public service. But I also came to the realization that I preferred being in the “pit” as a litigator, fighting for the rights of my clients,” Work said. “Representing clients in the courtroom has always been my passion. Joining Cozen O’Connor and working side-by-side with litigators that share that passion — that’s the perfect situation for me. I’m very happy to be here.”
Work earned his J.D. at the Baylor University School of Law, and his B.A. at Oklahoma Baptist University.
About Cozen O’Connor
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 925 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 33 offices across two continents.
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