Cozen O’Connor welcomed Pennsylvania trial attorney Rick Holzworth — a seasoned litigator who handles complex, high-value lawsuits on behalf of estate and trust administrators, individual beneficiaries, and corporate fiduciaries — to its Private Client Services practice. Holzworth, who joins the firm as a member, will reside in Cozen O’Connor’s Philadelphia office. Holzworth comes to the firm from Fox Rothschild LLP, where he was part of that firm’s commercial litigation and fiduciary litigation practice groups.
His clients range from high net worth individuals and major financial institutions, to commercial real estate companies, energy companies, and medicinal cannabis businesses.
“As a battle-tested trial attorney, Rick is ideally suited to guide high net worth individuals and corporate fiduciaries through the entire dispute resolution process,” said Robert I. Friedman co-chair, Private Client Services. “Whether the case requires private settlement negotiations, adversarial courtroom proceedings, or complex appellate advocacy, Rick brings to us a proven track record of both protecting and advancing the client’s interests. I’m excited to welcome him to our team.”
Holzworth will focus much of his practice on resolving trust and estate controversies, including disputes involving estate planning, wealth transfer, and trust administration. As a litigator, his background includes managing/resolving cases involving commercial contracts, real estate, and employment disputes, as well as estate/fiduciary litigation.
He also brings to the firm an active pro bono practice, which includes serving as president of Bike Share Pittsburgh Inc., which operates the HealthyRide bike share network, and prosecuting federal civil rights cases on behalf of prisoners. Rick also has served as an arbitrator in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Civil Division.
“While planning, estate and trust administration, and family office services are the backbone of our practice, intra-family controversies and disputes between beneficiaries and fiduciaries are sometimes unavoidable,” Holzworth said. “An elite trust and estate planning practice requires the support of a high-end fiduciary litigation practice, and vice versa. I believe I can further strengthen the firm’s trust and estate litigation team and enhance its ability to provide clients with a comprehensive suite of legal services.”
Holzworth earned his J.D. at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law; a Master of Arts (M.A.T.) in teaching English at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education; and a B.A. in English literature at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.
