02.20.2015

Attorney Dennis G. Cowan of Plunkett Cooney, one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest law firms, will be among the featured speakers at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2015 Detroit Policy Conference on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the MotorCity Casino-Hotel in Detroit.

A partner in the firm’s Transactional Law and Banking Law practice groups, Cowan will participate in a panel discussion, titled: “Connecting the Region – Transit Development in the ‘D’.” He will be joined by Michael Ford, Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and Megan Owens, Executive Director of TRU-Transportation Riders United (an advocacy group for Detroit transit users).

The panel discussion will focus on the many challenges and opportunities facing the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and how improved transit infrastructure can support economic development and urban revitalization and can provide increased mobility to residents and commuters.

The Detroit Policy Conference was created by the Detroit Regional Chamber to bolster the city’s ongoing transformation by bringing together key business, community and political leaders to inspire innovative solutions and urban revitalization. The conference focuses on encouraging collaborative efforts to grow business and shape Detroit’s future by increasing dialogue between urban and suburban decision-makers.

Cowan has been involved in recent transportation issues as a result of his involvement with “Build Business. Build Transit,” which was formed by the Metropolitan Council of Congregations. The group advocates the involvement of all stakeholders in developing a new regional transit plan that is being developed by the RTA. The stakeholders include employers, transit riders, local and county governments, faith based churches and organizations, non-profit groups and transit providers, including bus and rail lines and the area airports.

Cowan has extensive experience as a public official having served on the Royal Oak City Commission for 14 years, including four-consecutive terms as mayor. He dealt with new public transportation matters as an elected official.

Cowan focuses his legal 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 in complex business transactions and advocates on their behalf before state administrative boards and in matters involving the Michigan Attorney General's office. Cowan, along with other members of the firm, represent the 10 foundations that committed $366 million to the “Grand Bargain” arising out of the Detroit bankruptcy.

A magna cum laude graduate of The Detroit College of Law, Cowan received his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts/Boston. He is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association; the Real Property Law, Corporation and Business Law, and Public Corporations Law sections of the State Bar of Michigan and the Corporate, Banking and Business Law Section of the American Bar Association.

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney employs approximately 150 attorneys in nine Michigan cities, Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. The firm, which provides a range of transactional and litigation services, has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, a leading, international directory of law firms. Fortune magazine also recently named Plunkett Cooney among the top commercial firms in the United States.

For more information about Dennis G. Cowan serving as a guest speaker at the Detroit Policy Conference on Feb. 26, contact the firm’s Practice Development Manager John Cornwell at (248) 901-4008 or jcornwell@plunkettcooney.com.

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