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Nationally renowned litigation attorney joins Ellis & Winters

Ellis Winters

Ellis & Winters

Ellis & Winters LLP announced today that nationally recognized trial attorney, J. Donald Cowan, Jr., has joined the firm. Cowan has had a strong North Carolina-based practice for more than thirty-five years. He will continue to maintain offices in both Greensboro and Raleigh.

As part of the firm’s strategic growth plans, Ellis & Winters is in the process of expanding its Cary and Greensboro offices and has been adding select attorneys in both locations. Known for its blue-chip client base, Ellis & Winters specializes in complex litigation and commercial real estate law.

A past president of the North Carolina Bar Association, Cowan serves as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Practice at Duke University School of Law and is both a Fellow and a Regent of the American College of Trial Lawyers. An alumnus of Wake Forest University and the Wake Forest University School of Law, Cowan has served multiple terms on the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees and as president of the Wake Forest Law Alumni Association. Cowan has been a member of the American Bar Association House of Delegates and is a past- president of Legal Services of North Carolina.

“Throughout a stellar legal career, Don has earned the utmost respect from members of the bench and bar alike,” said Mike Winters, managing partner at Ellis & Winters LLP. “His unwavering integrity and commitment to the legal process have earned him the respect of the legal profession across North Carolina and around the country.”

“Don Cowan’s stature and excellence as a trial lawyer are well known throughout the North Carolina bar and beyond. He has been a good friend for many years. It is a great honor to Ellis & Winters that he is now our partner,” added Dick Ellis, partner at Ellis & Winters LLP.

Earlier this year, the North Carolina Bar Association’s Litigation Section honored Cowan as the second recipient of the Advocate’s Award. The Advocate’s Award was created to recognize “superstars” of the Litigation Section and the legal profession. The Greensboro Bar Association honored Cowan with its 2008 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award for his representation of five death penalty clients.

Cowan’s practice is unusually diverse. He has represented Fortune 500 companies in a class action, antitrust cases, while at the same time representing criminal defendants charged with capital crimes. He regularly handles commercial cases, product liability cases, medical product cases, and intellectual property cases. Cowan also gives trial judges and members of the bar annual updates of both state and federal appellate decisions.

“Don will add significant depth and legal expertise to our firm,” said Leslie O’Toole, litigation practice leader at Ellis & Winters LLP. “His vast knowledge and skill will help us further provide the highest level of advice and counsel to our growing client base across the country.”

August 8, 2008
Posted in  General