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Jennifer R. Cowan
Attorney

Areas of Practice

  • Represents local governments, special districts, and Community Development Districts (CDDs) in matters concerning annexations, interlocal agreements, procurement, contract management, construction contracting, public records, ethics, and Sunshine Law issues, including civil litigation and appellate representation that involves such matters.
  • Represents private and public clients in matters before the Florida Department of Community Affairs and various county and municipal governments concerning Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs), Notices of Proposed Change (NOPCs), comprehensive plan amendments, school and transportation concurrency matters, zoning issues, impact fees reimbursements and disputes, wetland permitting and enforcement actions, and development of CDDs.
  • Member of the Sustainability, Land Use, Local Government and Special Districts, and Litigation practice areas.

Prior Professional Experience

  • During law school, Ms. Cowan was an intern for Justice R. Fred Lewis of the Florida Supreme Court and Judge Anthony Rondolino of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. 
  • In 2005, Ms. Cowan was a Summer Associate for Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., where she researched land use and environmental law issues such as permitting, easements and sovereign submerged lands.
  • Before attending law school, Ms. Cowan worked in the private sector as a financial manager of a Los Angeles intercity community redevelopment organization. 
  • Ms. Cowan also worked for many years in the public sector for a broad range of governmental entities, including: Governor Lawton Chiles General Counsel’s Office, where she assisted the Governor with judicial appointments, executive orders, capital cases, and served as his liaison with the State Attorneys; the Department of Community Affairs, Florida Housing Finance Agency, where she worked with developers on loan applications for low-income multifamily and single family developments; and the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court’s Guardian ad Litem Program, where she conducted a community outreach program and represented abused, neglected, and abandoned children in dependency court proceedings.

 Professional, Civic And Community Involvement

  • Member, City of Gulfport’s Planning and Zoning Board/Local Planning Agency (April 2010-April 2012)
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, The Florida Bar
  • Director, Manatee County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Trustee, Arthur Family Foundation

 Publications and Presentations

  • "The Changing Face of Growth Management and Natural Resource Regulation" presented at the Local Environmental Resources Agencies 2011 Annual Conference on July 29, 2011.
  • "Evolution of Sustainability in Florida" presented at the Florida Planning and Zoning Association's 2011 annual conference on June 14, 2011.
  • "Ethical Considerations for Special District Public Officials" presented at the Florida Association of Special Districts Conference held in Key Largo on June 10, 2011.
  • "Contract Management and Procurement (Certified District Official's Program)" presented at the Association of Special District's CDM Program, January, 2011.
  • “New Directions in Assessments and Energy Conservation” present at the Florida Association of Special Districts Conference in Sebring, FL on October 29, 2010.
  • “Green Initiatives: In Theory and In Practice” presented at the 4th Campus & Community Sustainability Conference held at the University of South Florida on October 9, 2009.
  • “Green Initiatives” presentation on State sustainability mandates and potential funding sources for local governments related to sustainability initiatives.  Presented to Pinellas Green Government Partnership on October 28, 2009.