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2008 News Articles › Litigation Section Honors Don Cowan
Litigation Section Honors Don Cowan
Article Date: Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Written By: Russell Rawlings
Don Cowan |
The North Carolina Bar Association's Litigation Section honored
J. Donald Cowan Jr. on April 18 as the second recipient of the
Advocate's Award. Presentation of the award took place in
Greensboro at the section's annual meeting.
The Advocate's Award was created to recognize "superstars" of
the Litigation Section and the legal profession, a description
readily befitting the longtime Smith Moore attorney and past
president of the NCBA who maintains offices in Greensboro and
Raleigh.
NCBA President-Elect Charles Becton was honored in 2006 as the
initial recipient of this award.
"The primary challenge one faces in commenting on Don's
achievements comes from deciding where to start," writes Judge
Allyson K. Duncan of the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in
support of Cowan's nomination.
Indeed.
Throughout his career, Cowan has proven an exemplary attorney
who has earned the highest respect from members of the bench and
bar alike. His professionalism and integrity were cited often in
extensive nominating materials, as were his commitment to clients
and the community.
Cowan is also revered for his commitment to the academic
community and continuing legal education. He serves as an adjunct
professor for the Duke University School of Law and, since 1992,
provides annual presentations to the N.C. Superior Court Judges
Conference and the N.C. Fellows of the American College of Trial
Lawyers.
He has also provided countless CLE presentations, including the
Civil Law Update that is regarded as the most popular continuing
legal education program at the NCBA Annual Meeting.
"Don has no doubt done more continuing legal education programs
than any lawyer in North Carolina, while at the same time trying
more cases than most lawyers," writes Charlotte attorney Doug Ey.
"Don's summaries of North Carolina recent decisions are
legendary.
"He has an encyclopedic memory and presents new developments in
North Carolina law in a way that draws huge crowds at all venues -
from NCBA programs, to N.C. Association of Defense Attorneys
programs, to American College of Trial Lawyers programs. He is
tireless, but never gives the impression that he is at all worn
down. His energy for this service to the bar is endless."
A Raleigh native, Cowan is a 1965 graduate of Wake Forest
University and 1968 graduate of the Wake Forest University School
of Law. He served from 1968-73 in the U.S. Army, where he attained
the rank of captain.
Cowan has been active within the NCBA throughout his career. He
chaired the Young Lawyers Division in 1979-80 and served on the
Board of Governors from 1983-85. He chaired the Litigation Section
in 1985-86 and the CLE Committee from 1988-91.
He served as president of the NCBA in 1992-93.
A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Cowan has
served on the ABA House of Delegates and as president of Legal
Services of North Carolina. He has served multiple terms on the
Wake Forest University Board of Trustees and served as president of
the Wake Forest Law Alumni Association.
Nominees for the Advocate's Award should:
(1) have the highest ethical standards;
(2) have shown great skill and ability as a litigator/trial lawyer
and commitment to the very best work product;
(3) demonstrate a true commitment of service to clients;
(4) demonstrate a respect for and love of the law;
(5) be held in the highest regard by both bench and bar;
(6) be dedicated to the community and the bar with a track record
of pro bono and/or volunteer service; and
(7) serve as an example of how to effectively balance both
outstanding professional performance and other life
endeavors.
For more information regarding the nomination process, contact
Deidre Lewis, assistant director of section and division
activities, via deidrelewis@ncbar.org