LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2025 – With California insurers facing a range of legal issues due to escalating natural disaster risks, Cozen O'Connor today announced up and coming insurance litigator Kelsey Leigh Anne Maxwell has joined its fast-growing Global Insurance Department. Recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyer Rising Star every year since 2018, Maxwell joins the firm as a member and will reside in its Los Angeles office. She’s the department’s second major addition in as many months, following insurance litigator Frank Toddre, II, who joined the firm’s Las Vegas office in May.
Maxwell comes to the firm from Murchison & Cumming, LLP and focuses her practice on all aspects of insurance-defense, including pre-litigation issues involving preservation of evidence, settlement analyses, and internal/external investigations. Highly regarded for her ability to initiate and nurture long-term relationships with clients and insurance adjusters, she recently served as second chair on a products liability trial (plaintiff dismissed with prejudice during the trial) and a medical malpractice trial (defense verdict).
“As is the case in so many other states, our insurance clients in California are facing major headwinds,” said Joseph A. Ziemianski, co-chair of the firm’s Global Insurance Department. “As an experienced litigator with a carrier-level insurance industry acumen, Kelsey is an important addition to our department, and I’m thrilled to welcome her to Cozen O’Connor.”
Maxwell’s background also includes taking depositions and preparing mediation briefs; and preparing a range of trial documents, including witness lists, exhibit lists, motions in limine, jury instructions, trial briefs, and jury questionnaires. She regularly drafts initial pleadings, discovery requests and responses, and argues dispositive motions — including demurrers, motions to strike, and motions for summary judgment.
“With many insurers reassessing their coverages and risks, today’s underwriters and claims handlers need and demand counsel with deep industry knowledge and allegiance, and that’s exactly what Kelsey brings to the table,” said Howard D. Maycon, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. “This is especially true in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment like California. She’s a welcome addition to both the firm and the Los Angeles office.”
An accomplished author, Maxwell has published on a range of complex insurance related topics, including online behavioral advertising, legal issues related to California's Constitutional Right to Privacy, cases involving transportation network companies, and ongoing developments in workers' compensation.
“My reasons for coming to Cozen O’Connor are many, but to put it simply, the firm checked all the boxes,” Maxwell said. “Our Global Insurance Department attorneys are well-known and highly regarded throughout the state, especially here in Southern California. Further, we are a growing entrepreneurial firm, which is important to me. I’m very happy to be here and I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues and expanding my practice further.”
Maxwell earned her J.D. at Chapman University’s Dale E. Fowler School of Law, and a B.A. in psychology (with a minor in pre-law) at the University of Arizona.
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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