Suzanne S. Mayes

Co-Chair, Business Law Department
Chair, Public & Project Finance

Suzanne Mayes is a nationally known public and project finance attorney, chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Public & Project Finance Practice, co-chair of the Business Law Department, and a senior member of the firm’s board of directors and management committee. 

In her private practice, Suzanne serves as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, borrower’s counsel, and disclosure counsel to a wide range of for-profit, not-for-profit, and public clients. She is regularly engaged as bond counsel to some of the Mid-Atlantic region’s largest issuers of tax-exempt debt and as underwriter’s counsel to leading global investment banks in eight- and nine-digit deals.

With more than three decades of experience, Suzanne has accrued extensive knowledge of complex financing structures and hedging instruments. She has led efforts to finance public infrastructure, academic institutions, housing, sports stadiums, student loans, airports and toll roads, senior living facilities, and mass transit, as well as provided counsel on large-scale general obligation borrowings and public-private and public-public partnerships.

Suzanne holds several senior management roles at the firm. She is charged with helping optimize the Business Law Department’s culture, financial metrics, national and international growth, lateral integration, client outreach and cross marketing, and individual attorney growth and development. She also serves on the boards of directors of Inolex, a global leader in sustainable personal care product ingredients, and several non-profit organizations.

As one of the first women ever to lead an Am Law 100 public finance practice, Suzanne is a tireless advocate for women’s professional advancement. She founded the first organization on the East Coast for women in public finance and is a former president of The Forum of Executive Women.

In recognition of Suzanne’s outstanding contributions to the legal profession, she has received numerous awards and honors. She was elected to the American College of Bond Counsel in 2016 and has been ranked by Chambers and Partners USA since 2017. Suzanne was also named Best Lawyers in America “Philadelphia Lawyer of the Year for Public Finance Law” 2021, Bond Buyer’s Freda Johnson Awardee 2020, and the Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar” 2018.

Suzanne earned her law degree, 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 earned her undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Fairfield University.

Experience

News

31 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 11, 2024

Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5 percent of attorneys are named Super Lawyers; only 2.5 percent of attorneys are listed as Rising Stars.

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.”

Law360 Names Cozen O’Connor a Pennsylvania Powerhouse

August 23, 2023

Cozen O’Connor was previously named a Pennsylvania Powerhouse in 2022, 2018, and 2014.

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.

42 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

May 24, 2023

Super Lawyers has selected 42 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Six Cozen O’Connor Lawyers Named 2023 “Lawyers of the Year” by Best Lawyers

August 22, 2022

Geoffrey Ferrer, James Forsyth, J. Bruce Maffeo, Suzanne Mayes, Jason Shargel, and Anna Wermuth received the highest annual ratings from their peers.

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.

49 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 01, 2022

Super Lawyers has selected 49 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Suzanne Mayes Selected as a Recipient of City & State PA’s Above & Beyond Awards

March 23, 2022

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that Suzanne Mayes, co-chair of the firm’s Business Law Department and co-chair of the firm’s Public & Project Finance Group, has been selected as a recipient of City & State PA’s Above & Beyond Awards.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

47 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

May 28, 2021

Super Lawyers has selected 47 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

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.

Suzanne Mayes Awarded 2020 Freda Johnson Award Recipient for Trailblazing Women in Public Finance

November 10, 2020

Philadelphia – November 10, 2020 – Suzanne Mayes, co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Business Law Department and co-chair of the firm’s Public & Project Finance Practice, has been selected as a 2020 Freda Johnson Trailblazing Women in Public Finance by the Northeast Women in Public Finance and The Bond Buyer.

200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers selected 200 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).

Nine Cozen O’Connor Lawyers Named 2021 “Lawyers of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America

August 20, 2020

Cozen O’Connor is proud to announce that nine of the firm’s lawyers have been recognized as “Lawyers of the Year” in their respective practices by Best Lawyers in America.

Fifty-Eight Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 05, 2020

Super Lawyers has selected 58 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2020 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

63 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 16 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2020 Guide

May 14, 2020

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 63 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2020 edition.

64 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

May 21, 2019

Super Lawyers has selected 64 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2019 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Publications

The municipal market needs advance refundings back [The Bond Buyer]

July 28, 2020

Suzanne Mayes discusses the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the U.S. tax-exempt bond market.

The SEC Adopts Rule 15c2-12 Amendments Regarding Material Financial Obligations: Some Initial Q&A [Public & Project Finance Alert]

August 27, 2018

Mark Vacha, Jon Ballan, and Suzanne Mayes discuss the two new categories of listed events that require continuing disclosure material event notice filings by issuers or obligated persons.

SEC, FINRA and the MSRB Announce Compliance Outreach Program for Municipal Advisors [Public & Project Finance Alert]

October 01, 2014

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (the MSRB) announced today the opening of registration for the first Compliance Outreach Program for Municipal Advisors (the Compliance Outreach Program) that will take place in Chicago on November 3, 2014.

Significant Restrictions on Local Government Debt and Swaps Introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly [Public Finance Alert]

September 06, 2013

Legislation (Senate Bills No. 901, 902, 903 and 904 (SB 901, SB 902, SB 903 and SB 904)) has been introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly that, if passed, in whole or in part, could significantly affect certain types of municipal finance transactions involving municipal authorities and other local governments.

SEC Recommends Major Changes in Municipal Securities Market [Public & Project Finance Alert]

October 01, 2012

SEC Recommends Major Changes in Municipal Securities Market - Public & Project Finance Alert - The Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on July 31, 2012 issued a comprehensive report with recommendations to improve the municipal securities market and enhance disclosure provided to investors.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

How to Make the Ask…

June 20, 2023 - Philadelphia, PA

How Does ESG Fit into the Infrastructure Development Plan

November 15, 2022 - Washington D.C.

LIBOR Transition

November 05, 2020

Health Law 2020

December 04, 2019 - Philadelphia, PA

Industry Sectors

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 1991
  • Fairfield University, B.S., summa cum laude, 1988

Awards & Honors

Above & Beyond Award, City & State Pennsylvania, 2022

Freda Johnson Trailblazing Woman in Public Finance, 2020

Alice Paul Equality Award, 2012

Pennsylvania Bar Association Special Achievement Award, 2006

Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, 2006, 2007, 2009-2024
*This award is conferred by Super Lawyers. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Chambers and Partners USA, 2017-2024
*This award is conferred by Chambers and Partners. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Best of the Bar, Philadelphia Business Journal, 2018
*This award is conferred by the Philadelphia Business Journal. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • American Bar Association
  • American College of Bond Counsel
  • Former Member, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia Board of Directors
  • 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
  • Inolex Board of Directors 
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers
  • Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Society Council
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Accelerator Fund Board of Directors
  • Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation Board of Directors