40 Under Forty 2021

2021

DANIEL COZZI

His advice has always been practical, timely and legally sound.”

D an Cozzi is known for his drive to win. He made his mark as a standout pitcher at the University of Chicago be- fore going on to play professional baseball in Italy. Now, he brings his competitive spirit to work for his clients as a partner at Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth. Cozzi—who has significant experience in neurosurgical, birth injury and medical device litigation—has already established a record of winning results in big cases. One example? Cozzi represented a medi- cal practice group in a mass tort action in Cook County in which 60 patients sued the group for negligently destroying their sperm, which was stored in a cryo- genic freezer. Cozzi successfully prosecuted third-party actions against the freezer manufacturer, component part manu- facturers and a service company. Though the odds were stacked against his client, Cozzi obtained a significant recovery for the medical practice group. Cozzi is currently representing Cook County and the Cook County Treasurer’s Office as lead counsel in litigation filed by multiple plaintiffs in federal court. This is another complex case, in which the plain- tiffs are making constitutional challenges to the mass appraisal practices of the Cook County Assessor. Cozzi’s peers aren’t surprised that he gets tapped to take on big cases. His com- mand of the facts, 24-hour dedication to his clients and presence in the courtroom give him the edge that clients seek. “Dan is a meticulous researcher and tenacious advocate for his clients,” said

Chicago attorney Frank Tuzzolino. “Yet he displays a genuine humility that is refresh- ing in today’s world. He can disagree with you without being disagreeable.” While his courtroom record is impres- sive, Cozzi has gotten many of his cases dismissed on dispositive motions prior to trial. That ability is part of what makes him valuable to clients like Julia Lynch, vice president and senior associate general counsel at Northwestern Medicine. “I regularly tap Dan for assistance in cases with complex legal issues because he has a talent for written advocacy. Dan is a good counselor in the truest sense of the word; he has excellent instincts and is wise beyond his years.” Lynch said. “His advice has always been practical, timely and legally sound.” When not representing his clients, Cozzi gives back to his community. He volunteered at the Midtown Education- al Foundation, tutoring underprivileged grade-school students. He also volun- teers for the University of Chicago, men- toring undergraduates interested in a ca- reer in law. This summer, he stepped back on the diamond to help coach his son’s baseball team. “Dan stands out for his professionalism and civility,” said Ted Jennings, attorney with Chicago’s Coplan + Crane. “Dan is a defense-oriented attorney and a strong advocate for his clients, but he always ex- hibits great respect for the process and the participants in that process. Dan is always well-prepared and exhibits a calm, professional demeanor that is a credit to him, his firm and the judicial system.”

FIRM Donohue Brown Mathewson & Smyth

LAW SCHOOL Washington University in Saint Louis School of Law AREA OF PRACTICE Medical malpractice and mass tort defense

40 Under Forty 2021 CHICAGO LAWYER & CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN