SEATTLE – Four Cozen O’Connor attorneys from the firm’s Seattle office, Shauna Martin Ehlert, Ramona N. Hunter, Maggie Peterson and Melissa O'Loughlin White, were named 2006 Washington “Rising Stars” by Washington Law & Politics. Rising Stars names the top young lawyers in Washington as chosen by Washington Law & Politics and through the independent research of Law & Politics. All Washington “Rising Stars” are either 40 or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less. Only 2.5 percent of Washington attorneys are named “Rising Stars.” Washington Rising Stars, representing more than 60 practice areas, is published annually in the December issue of Washington Law & Politics.

Ehlert, a member, concentrates her practice in insurance litigation, including property, subrogation, insurance coverage and property liability claims. Ehlert earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington (B.S., 1988) and her law degree from the University Of Washington School Of Law (J.D., 1992). She is admitted to practice in Washington and is a member of the Washington Bar Association, the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association and the King County Bar Association.

Hunter, an associate, concentrates her practice in the areas of employment, medical malpractice and insurance litigation. Hunter earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington (B.A., magna cum laude, with distinction, 1998), where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her law degree from the University of Washington School of Law (J.D., 2001), where she served as an editor for the Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal. Hunter is admitted to practice in Washington and is a member of the Washington State Bar Association.

Peterson, an associate, concentrates her practice in products liability and complex torts. She earned her undergraduate degree from Pacific Lutheran University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1997) and her law degree from the University Of Southern California Gould School Of Law (J.D., 2000). She is admitted to practice in Washington and before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. She is a member of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers and the King County Bar Association.

White, a member, concentrates her practice in complex litigation, appeals and insurance coverage matters for London Market insurers. She earned her undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University (B.S., 1993) and her law degree from Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1997). She is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and in Washington. White is a member of the American Bar Association, as well as member and past president of the King County Washington Women Lawyers and a trustee of the King County Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division.

Founded in 1968, Cozen O’Connor is ranked among the 100 largest law firms in the United States, serving business, insurance and private clients. Cozen O’Connor is a full-service firm with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 23 offices.  The firm has 21 offices located across the United States and international offices in London and Toronto.