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Dennis G. Cowan currently
serves as Plunkett Cooney’s Business Law Department
Leader and is a member of the firm's Real Estate/Transactional
and Environment, Energy and Resources Law 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 and the Michigan Attorney
General's office.
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 to a two-year term as Chairman of the Oakland
County Republican Party. He was re-elected to that post
and served through the 2008 election cycle.
Representative Client
Work
- Representing state-appointed
Emergency Financial Manager on behalf of a southeast
Michigan city.
- Coordinated municipal
approval efforts of $350,000,000 hospital project.
- Represented corporate
clients during State Attorney General investigation.
- Represented national
gaming operator in Detroit casino bidding process.
- Represented commercial
landowners in annexation process and litigation.
- Headed legal team
in client effort to stop state-wide ballot proposal.
Professional Affiliations
- 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)
Public
Service
- Chairman, Oakland
County Republican Party (2004-2008)
- Michigan Delegate,
Republican National Convention (2008)
- State of Michigan
Building Authority (2002 – 2006)
(Appointed by Governor Engler, March 2002)
- Member, Attorney
General Mike Cox Transition Team (2002)
- Mayor, Royal Oak,
1993 - 2001
- City Commissioner,
Royal Oak, 1987 – 1993
Mayor Pro Tem, 1989-1991
Member, Chamber of Commerce Liaison Committee
Member, I-696/Woodward Developer Selection Committee
- Member, Royal Oak
Plan Commission, 1993 - 2001
- Chairman, Royal Oak
Solid Waste/Recycling Committee (1990-1991)
- Vice Chairman, Woodward
Avenue Action Association (1999-2001)
- Member, State of
Michigan Site Review Board
(Appointed by Governor Engler, March, 1993)
Community
Involvement
- Walsh College Board
of Trustees (2009-Present)
- Walsh College Foundation
(2004-Present)
- Ticker Club, Inc.
– Children’s Hospital of Michigan (Board
of Directors, 1987)
- Notre Dame High School
Alumni Association
- Royal Oak Children’s
Choir (Board of Directors, 2002-2005)
- Royal Oak Optimist
Club
- Royal Oak Youth Assistance
Committee
- Royal Oak Shrine
High School hockey team volunteer
- Boys’ and Girls’
Club of South Oakland County (Board of Directors,
1989 - 2001)
- Walsh College Presidents
Advisory Council (2002-Present)
- University of Massachusetts
Alumni Association
- Association for the
Preservation of Civil War Sites
Publications,
Lectures, Awards
- “Powering your
Community’s Future/How to Ensure the Best Utility
Infrastructure,” Michigan Municipal League Annual
Convention, Dearborn, MI, September, 2002
- “Home Rule for
Cities and Senate Bill 653,” Michigan Municipal
League Legislative Conference, February 1996
- “Dealing With
Governmental Entities in the Buying and Selling of
Real Estate,” Homeward Bound Seminar, Real Property
Section, State Bar of Michigan, Grand Rapids and Troy,
November, 1990
News
- Plunkett Cooney attorneys
among Michigan 'Super Lawyers' 2010
- Cowan elected to
Walsh College Board of Trustees
- Plunkett Cooney attorneys
among Michigan ‘Super Lawyers’ 2009
- Plunkett Cooney helps
build Michigan’s green energy future
- Plunkett Cooney attorneys
among Michigan 'Super Lawyers' 2008
- Plunkett Cooney Attorneys
Named 2007 Michigan 'Super Lawyers'
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Areas of Practice
Administrative &
Regulatory Law
Banking, Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights Law
Election Law
Environment, Energy and Resources Law
Government Affairs
Municipal Law
Real Estate Law
Telecommunications Law
Zoning & Land Use
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