Current Employment Position(s)

Partner, since 1996

Year Joined Organization: 1983

Lawyer Overview

Dennis G. Cowan currently serves as Plunkett Cooney’s Business Law Department Leader and is a member of the firm's Telecommunications and Energy Industry practice groups.

Mr. Cowan focuses his individual practice primarily on assisting clients in obtaining governmental approvals at the local, county and state levels. He has particular expertise advocating on behalf of clients seeking zoning, site plan and other land use approvals. He also represents clients before state administrative boards.

In December 2001, Mr. Cowan completed 14 years of service on the Royal Oak City Commission. After six years as a City Commissioner, he was elected and served four consecutive two-year terms (1993-2001) as Royal Oak Mayor. As a result of his extensive experience as a public official, Mr. Cowan offers a unique perspective in advising clients on legal issues related to all levels of government.

In 2004, Mr. Cowan was elected Chairman of the Oakland County Republican Party for a two-year term. He was re-elected to that post and served through the 2008 election year.

Areas of Practice

• Administrative & Regulatory Law
• Banking, Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights Law
• Government Affairs
• Municipal Law
• Election Law
• Zoning & Land Use
• Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions

• Michigan, 1984
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 1984

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Oakland County Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Law, Corporation and Business Law, and Public Corporations Law Sections
• American Bar Association, Corporate, Banking and Business Law Section
• University of Massachusetts Alumni Association
• Ticker Club, Inc., Children's Hospital of Michigan, 1987 (Board of Directors)
• Notre Dame High School Alumni Association
• Royal Oak Optimist Club
• Royal Oak Youth Assistance Committee
• Boys' and Girls' Club of South Oakland County, 1989 - Present (Board of Directors)
• Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites
• Royal Oak Solid Waste/Recycling Committee, 1990 - 1991 (Chairman)
• Woodward Avenue Action Association, 1999 - 2001 (Vice Chairman)
• Oakland County Republican Party, 2004 - Present (Chairman)
• Walsh College Foundation, 2004 - Present (Board of Trustees)
• Walsh College Presidents Advisory Council, 2002 - Present

Honors and Awards

• Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating-AV
• 2006 & 2007 Michigan Super Lawyer in Land Use and Zoning, Michigan Super Lawyers, a publication of Law & Politics magazinE

Classes and Seminars

• "Home Rule for Cities and Senate Bill 653", Michigan Municipal League Legislative Conference, 1996
• "Dealing With Governmental Entities in the Buying and Selling of Real Estate", Real Property Section, State Bar of Michigan, 1990
• "AIA Contracts", Real Property Section, State Bar of Michigan, 1987
• “Powering your Community’s Future/How to Ensure the Best Utility Infrastructure”, Michigan Municipal League Annual Convention, Dearborn, MI, 2002

Past Employment Positions

• Royal Oak, Mayor, 1993 - 2001
• Royal Oak, City Commissioner, 1987 - 1993
• Royal Oak, Mayor Pro Tem, 1989 - 1991
• Chamber of Commerce Liaison Committee, Member
• I-696/Woodward Developer Selection Committee, Member
• Royal Oak Plan Commission, Member, 1993 - 2001
• State of Michigan Site Review Board, Member, 1993 - Present

Education

• Detroit College of Law, Detroit, Michigan, 1984
  J.D.
  Honors: magna cum laude
• University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, 1978
  B.A.
  Honors: magna cum laude

Address

38505 Woodward Ave.
Suite 2000
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

Phones

(248) 901-4029

Faxes

(248) 901-4040

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.plunkettcooney.com/