Lynnette Espy-Williams holds the distinguished position of Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Cozen O’Connor, an international full-service law firm, where she brings a wealth of legal expertise to the table. With a robust background in litigating a wide spectrum of civil and commercial cases, Lynnette has firmly established herself as a prominent figure in the legal profession. 

Her litigation experience spans an array of areas, including mass and complex torts, professional liability, product liability, and contract disputes. Lynnette’s remarkable track record demonstrates her proficiency in navigating the intricacies of the legal landscape. 

Lynnette provides straategic counsel to her clients and has extensive experience in defending many high-exposure liability matters. Her  litigation experience is widely recognized in the industry as  she has acted as lead counsel in many complex commercial litigation matters. When Lynnette is not actively practicing law, she routinely speaks on issues of import in the industry. 

Lynnette’s litigation prowess extends to both state and federal courts, and she is well-versed in every facet of the litigation process. This includes conducting fact and expert depositions, crafting persuasive motions, negotiating with opposing counsel, and participating in pre-trial conferences. Lynnette’s experience also encompasses consumer class action litigation, particularly cases involving alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 

Beyond her legal acumen, Lynnette’s role as Chief Diversity Officer underscores her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. Her multifaceted contributions, both in the legal arena and as a champion of diversity, exemplify her dedication to excellence and equity. 

Journey to the Bar 

Lynnette’s childhood in Columbus, Ohio, was marked by a deep curiosity about her father’s work. While she didn’t fully understand the specifics, she knew that his job was centered on helping people, using terms like “justice” and “civil rights.” She witnessed how he garnered respect from their family and community, making a positive impact on their city. It was evident to her that when she grew up, she wanted to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer, inspired by his dedication to improving society. 

For her undergraduate education, Lynnette pursued her studies at Spelman College, where she excelled and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in economics in 2003. This was just the beginning of her academic journey. She subsequently enrolled at the University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law, where she pursued her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. After successfully completing her legal studies and earning her J.D. in 2006, Lynnette had the remarkable opportunity to serve as a judicial intern to former Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Notably, Chief Justice Sears was the first African-American female chief justice of any state supreme court, and Lynnette’s experience with her further ignited her passion for the legal profession. 

Path to Leadership and Diversity 

Following her clerkship, Lynnette embarked on her journey with Cozen O’Connor, initially joining as a contract attorney in the Atlanta office. Her entry into the firm was under the auspices of the former office managing partner, an African American litigator who recognized in Lynnette a reflection of his own drive and work ethic. However, her early expectations were disrupted when this senior mentor decided to depart from the prestigious Am Law 100 firm shortly after her arrival. 

Lynnette quickly realized the importance of having a sponsor, someone with the capacity to unilaterally influence her career trajectory and provide invaluable internal guidance. Her determination was driven by a long-term vision that included becoming an integral part of firm management. Given her location in a regional office, it became even more crucial for her to establish connections beyond Atlanta. 

Driven by her aspirations, Lynnette made a bold move and reached out to Vincent McGuinness, Cozen O’Connor’s Managing Partner, with a humble request for him to serve as her mentor. Initially taken aback, as Lynnette had only recently joined the firm and was based in Atlanta, Vincent graciously agreed to be her mentor. Over the years, he played a pivotal role in ensuring that Lynnette received meaningful assignments, provided her with several opportunities to lead firm-wide committees, and extended unwavering support for her involvement in various bar associations. This sponsorship has been instrumental in Lynnette’s professional growth and success. 

Lynnette dedicated herself to developing her book of business and establishing her management credentials. She steadily progressed through the ranks, becoming one of the few African-American women in prominent positions within an Am Law 100 law firm. Her journey included roles such as chair of the firmwide associates’ committee, participation in various firm working groups (including the Hiring, Diversity, Women’s Initiative, Pro Bono, and PAC committees), and eventually serving as Vice Office Managing Partner of the Atlanta office. Lynnette achieved the distinction of being the first African-American woman shareholder at the firm and also became the youngest member elected to the firmwide Board of Directors. 

Leading the Charge 

In 2018, Lynnette faced a significant decision when she was asked to assume the role of Cozen O’Connor’s inaugural Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer (CDO). This proposition wasn’t a small one. At that time, Lynnette was actively managing a demanding litigation practice, her husband was deployed overseas, she was expecting their third child, and she would need to relocate from Atlanta to Washington D.C. Despite these complexities, Lynnette accepted the role for two compelling reasons: her unwavering commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession and the firm’s evident need for her leadership. 

Since stepping into the role of CDO, Lynnette has embarked on an impressive array of diversity initiatives and articulated a comprehensive vision for how both Cozen O’Connor and the legal industry as a whole can make substantial strides in achieving greater diversity and equity. Under her guidance, the firm introduced the Cozen O’Connor 1L Diversity Fellowship and established its first-ever administrative employee resource groups (ERGs) to support staff employees. While the firm had long operated attorney resource groups (ARGs) for self-identifying diverse attorneys, the introduction of ERGs marked a significant step, particularly in an area where such initiatives remain remarkably rare in the legal field. Lynnette’s leadership was also instrumental in Cozen O’Connor’s adoption of the Mansfield Rule, demonstrating her commitment to driving tangible change in the realm of diversity and inclusion and the creation of Cozen O’Connor’s sponsorship program. 

Ongoing Commitment to Diversity and Equity 

Lynnette played a pivotal role in orchestrating the firm’s response to the tragic murder of George Floyd. Her actions included a resounding public statement condemning the injustice, significant financial contributions to organizations dedicated to racial justice, and the implementation of training sessions and townhalls on crucial topics like effective allyship and how to address issues of race and racism with children. 

Today, while continuing to practice full-time, Lynnette has significantly increased her production credits, demonstrating her dedication to her legal work. In addition to her active practice, she leads a challenging but profoundly significant effort within the firm. This effort is focused on challenging assumptions and unconscious biases that can act as powerful barriers to the advancement of diverse attorneys. Lynnette firmly believes that achieving a truly equitable legal profession necessitates engaging in the often lengthy and complex process of raising awareness, securing buy-in, and instilling firmwide recognition of the immense value that diversity brings. She remains steadfast in her commitment to this critical journey.  

Website: Cozen O’Connor