Suzanne S. Mayes

Suzanne S. Mayes is a seasoned public and project finance attorney who serves as co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department and chair of its Public & Project Finance Practice. She advises on large-scale infrastructure, education, and municipal projects, acting as bond underwriters, borrowers, and disclosure counsel for both public and private entities.

Suzanne earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was an editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. She completed her undergraduate studies summa cum laude at Fairfield University, demonstrating academic excellence from the start of her legal career.

With more than 30 years of experience, Suzanne specializes in structuring high-value public finance transactions, including student loan programs, affordable housing initiatives, airport projects, and mass transit systems. She advises municipalities, school districts, state agencies, and major investment banks on complex deals often reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.

Suzanne also holds key leadership roles within Cozen O’Connor’s management, overseeing department growth, strategic initiatives, and talent development. She plays a central role in aligning legal services with client needs while driving cross-departmental collaboration and growth at the national and global levels.

Beyond her practice, Suzanne is a recognized advocate for women in law and finance. Suzanne founded the first East Coast organization for women in public finance and served as president of The Forum of Executive Women. She continues to lead with distinction as a trailblazer for gender equity in the profession.

Suzanne S. Mayes’s exceptional service has been recognized with numerous accolades, including induction into the American College of Bond Counsel and repeated recognition by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and the Philadelphia Business Journal. Her work consistently exemplifies legal excellence, innovation, and community impact.

Law Office Affiliations

• Co-Chair, Cozen O’Connor
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, American College of Bond Counsel
• Former Member, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia Board of Directors
• Member, National Association of Bond Lawyers
• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
• Former Member, Forum of Executive Women Board of Directors
• Former Member, Ladies First Board of Directors
• Former Member, Manor College Board of Trustees
• Former Member, Mount Saint Joseph Academy Board of Directors
• Former Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates
• Former Member, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Board of Directors
• Former Member, Redevelopment Authority of the County of Montgomery Board of Directors

Licensed State

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania

Education

• University of Pennsylvania Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Fairfield University
  BA with Magna Cum Laude

Awards & Badges