Between changing tastes, brick-and-mortar woes, trade wars and a potential pandemic, the pace of change has never been greater for the retail fashion sector. And Miami-based litigator Danielle Garno is right in the middle of it.

Garno joined Cozen O'Connor this week as a partner and chair of the firm's retail industry team, where she will lead Cozen O'Connor's fashion, beauty and luxury goods practice. She is a 15-year veteran of Greenberg Traurig, where she was a shareholder in the firm's Miami litigation practice.

"Leaving a place after 15 years can be very stressful, but [Cozen] made it so easy for me," Garno said in an interview, adding that as a South Jersey and Philadelphia-area native, she already felt a connection with Philadelphia-based Cozen O'Connor. "It felt like going from one family to another family. I'm super excited to be here—the culture is wonderful, and it truly does feel like a familiar place for me."

A Greenberg Traurig spokesperson wished Garno well.

Garno said all of her clients—she has worked with brands such as Cartier, Burberry and H&M—will be moving with her to Cozen O'Connor. In her representation of both startups and global brands, Garno has worked to resolve key business issues such as brand establishment and expansion; trademark and copyright infringement; risk related to counterfeiting; social media marketing and advertising disputes; and labor and employment and general business litigation. She also has white-collar practice area expertise.

Garno praised Cozen O'Connor's platform and said the firm was invested in helping her grow the fashion and beauty practice area. She said she was specifically excited to work with the firm's sports practice because she sees a lot of crossover between fashion and sports and e-sports.

Garno also said she was excited about Cozen O'Connor's cannabis expertise and that many of her clients are increasingly interested in that area.

"Especially in the beauty space, I find a lot of my clients are interested in cannabis," she said, noting that brands are already exploring cannabinoids, such as CBD-infused beauty products, and a strong cannabis practice will help clients navigate what's next. "Cozen is a forefront leader in that area, which will only help the [fashion] group."

In addition to private practice, Garno also created a fashion law course at the University of Miami School of Law, which she still teaches.

"I love teaching," she said. "It's one of the joys I have that have really come out of this practice. As long as [the University of Miami School of Law] wants me, I'm all in."