MARLTON, N.J., January 15, 2025—Duane Morris LLP has appointed Phil Cha as the new managing partner of its Southern New Jersey office. Cha succeeds Hersh Kozlov, who has served as the office’s managing partner since its establishment in 2009. Kozlov will continue his litigation and gaming law practice with the firm.
“Duane Morris has a very strong bench of talent in Southern New Jersey, and our office services major corporate clients. We offer tremendous capability to the gaming, energy and cannabis industries via this hub, and our reach is both international and local,” said Matthew A. Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Duane Morris. “Our momentum in New Jersey is substantial and we have always benefited from effective leadership there.”
“Hersh established and led our Southern New Jersey office for 15 years and has been a stalwart of Duane Morris,” said Taylor. “Needless to say, these are big shoes to fill. Phil has achieved tremendous success as a lawyer, business developer and leader while championing our firm’s collegial and client-focused culture. We can say with confidence that the office will continue to benefit from outstanding leadership.”
Cha is a member of Duane Morris’ governing Partners Board and serves as a team lead for the firm’s Energy Industry Group. He is a seasoned litigator and trusted legal advisor to publicly traded and privately held companies, organizations and high-net-worth individuals. Cha litigates complex and high-stakes disputes in state and federal courts across the United States. His diverse client base spans industries such as oil and gas, renewable and sustainable energy, manufacturing, transportation, wholesale, retail and healthcare. Among many honors, Cha is listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. He has been recognized as a “Rainmaker” by Law360 and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, a “Trailblazer” by the New Jersey Law Journal, and “Best of the Bar” and a “Minority Business Leader” by the Philadelphia Business Journal. The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Commission on Professionalism named Cha “Professional Lawyer of the Year.”
“As a member of the Partners Board and a team lead for the Energy Industry Group, I have great confidence in Duane Morris’ strategic plan,” said Cha. “I’m honored and excited to lead our Southern New Jersey office and contribute further to the firm’s growth and success.”
Cha is a graduate of Rutgers Law School (J.D., 1999) and Rutgers University (B.S., 1995).
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today’s multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 900 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries. Duane Morris has been recognized by BTI Consulting as both a client service leader and a highly recommended law firm.
