Joseph C. Bedwick

Vice Chair, Corporate Practice Group

Joe concentrates his practice in general business and corporate law, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions. Joe is chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Cannabis Industry Team and is a former hiring partner for the firm.

Joe's corporate practice involves a diverse array of industries, and he has represented clients in transactions occurring at every phase of a business’ life cycle. His extensive acquisition experience includes helping clients structure and negotiate business combinations and divestitures, including mergers, asset and stock sales and acquisitions, and joint ventures and strategic alliances in the United States and abroad. He also has significant experience in debt and equity financings and venture capital and other minority investments as well as corporate formations, restructurings, and liquidations. Additionally, Joe provides ongoing legal advice to a number of  clients in the areas of licensing, commercial contracts, corporate governance and counseling, stockholder and voting agreements, and employment and non-competition agreements.

As chair of the firm’s Cannabis Industry Team, Joe has spearheaded the development of a multidisciplinary cannabis practice into a full-service industry team comprised of attorneys from virtually every practice group within Cozen O’Connor and with an industry team representative resident in 13 of the jurisdictions across the country in which cannabis is legal at the state level. He applies his corporate knowledge and counseling background to help clients navigate this rapidly developing regulated industry, most notably in utilizing his mergers and acquisitions experience to structure and document acquisitions of cannabis license holders. Further, Joe provides regulatory advice with respect to cannabis matters to clients in over 15 states. Through this work, Joe and the cannabis team have developed a comprehensive understanding of each such state’s cannabis regulations.

Joe received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991 and his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994.

Experience

News

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Cozen O’Connor Named A Law360 Cannabis Practice Group of the Year

January 21, 2024

Cozen O’Connor was named a Law360 Cannabis Practice Group of the Year, the 4th time the cannabis team has received this honor. Joseph Bedwick and Patrick Martin spoke with Law360 to discuss the recognition.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Business Today Names 32 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to Its Top 10 Lists

July 28, 2023

These lists recognize lawyers “mastering,” “leading,” “revolutionizing,” and “dominating” their fields in their respective states and nationwide.

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

Cannabis Group Of The Year: Cozen O'Connor

January 26, 2023

Cozen O’Connor has been named a Law360 2022 Practice Group of the Year in Cannabis. Joe Bedwick and Patrick Martin spoke with Law360 to discuss the recognition.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022

210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

‘The Clash Between State and Federal Law in the Cannabis Industry’: 4 Key Takeaways on Federal Policy Reform Efforts

June 24, 2022

Joseph Bedwick and Patrick Martin were quoted in Cannabis Business Times discussing the future of federal cannabis policy reform.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

Cannabis Practices Sprout as Big Law Firms Follow the Money

September 21, 2021

Joe Bedwick spoke with Bloomberg Law about working for the firm's cannabis industry group.

82 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 19 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2021 Guide

May 26, 2021

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.

Coronavirus and Cannabis: Assessing the Current Challenges and Long-Term Impacts for the Industry

March 25, 2020

Joe Bedwick discussed with Cannabis Business Times about some of the broader trends he’s seeing in the market, the frequently asked questions from his clients, and what the industry might look like at the end of the global pandemic.

Philly-Area Law Firms Bullish on Cannabis Despite Grave Legal Risks

August 21, 2017

Joe Bedwick, a member of Cozen O'Connor's Corporate practice, discusses Philadelphia area law firms setting up cannabis practices on Philly.com.

Publications

Landmark Cannabis Legislation Approved by Judiciary Committee

November 25, 2019

Lindsey Stillwell and Joseph Bedwick discuss the MORE Act and what happens with the legislation now.

Medical Marijuana Legal in Pennsylvania [Cannabis Industry Alert]

April 14, 2016

Jim Davis and Joe Bedwick discuss Senate Bill 3, legalizing medical marijuana in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which the Pennsylvania Senate had approved the bill earlier in the week and the state House of Representatives passed on April 13, 2016. The governor announced he will sign the legislation on Sunday, April 17.

Education

  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 1994
  • University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 1991

Awards & Honors

Chambers USA, 2021-2024

Best Lawyers in America, 2023

Business Today, Top 10 Prominent Lawyers Influencing Cannabis Legislation in the US, 2023

  • Pennsylvania
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • American Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association Medical Marijuana and Hemp Committee