Cohen & Grigsby Appoints New Chairs of Labor and Employment Group and Business Group

March 20, 2003

PITTSBURGH, PA – Cohen & Grigsby, P.C. announces the appointment of James B. Brown as chair of the Labor and Employment Group and Christopher B. Carson as chair of the Business Group.

Cohen & Grigsby’s Business Group consists of 51 attorneys representing a broad range of capabilities in the entire business enterprise life cycle, from capital formation through sale, merger, joint venture or IPO. The Business Group brings a multi-disciplinary and practical approach to the transactional and international practice of law. Its ranks include corporate, immigration, tax and wealth management/estate planning professionals drawn from diverse backgrounds and bound by a common goal: the pursuit of quality for the transactional client’s benefit.

Cohen & Grigsby’s Labor and Employment Group is comprised of 12 attorneys who represent employers in the full spectrum of labor, employment and human resource law, including challenges presented by union activity, reengineering and downsizing, business transactions, new laws and regulations, and all varieties of labor and employee disputes.

“Both Jim and Chris bring to their respective groups a wealth of experience and depth of understanding. In addition to being excellent attorneys, they exemplify our Firm’s dedication to client service and results,” said Richard R. Nelson, II, President of the Firm.

James B. Brown concentrates his practice on representing employers in employment litigation cases and general labor matters. He has counseled and defended public universities, public authorities and commissions, corporations, financial institutions, health care institutions, the construction industry, hotels and retail and manufacturing establishments in all aspects of employment litigation. Mr. Brown, a prolific speaker and author, has been quoted in professional journals, newspapers and magazine articles both regionally and nationally. Mr. Brown also heads the firm’s Employment Litigation Group. He earned his B.A. from the University of Louisville in 1967 and his J.D. from Duquesne University in 1971. He is an arbitrator on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania panel of arbitrators. He also serves as a mediator on the JUSTUS ADR Employment Litigation Mediation Panel. He has been elected to membership in the International Association of Defense Counsel. Mr. Brown resides in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Christopher B. Carson focuses his practice in the areas of general corporate and securities law, with particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, including auction-based transactions, negotiated acquisitions, takeover counseling, international joint ventures and corporate finance. Mr. Carson earned his B.A. (cum laude, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society) from Dickinson College in 1982 and his J.D. (Honors – Legal Research and Writing) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1985. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America and is a member of the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations. Mr. Carson resides in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.