Atty. David E. Cowen

Atty. David E. Cowen

Mr. Cowen associated with the Firm in 1984 and has been a shareholder of the Firm since 1993.

Galveston Galveston 44 yrs experience 44 year
Call (409) 763-2481 Book Appointment

Environmental Regulatory Practice and Cost Recovery & More Attorney · Serving Galveston, TX · 44+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About David E. Cowen at a Glance

David E. Cowen is a Firm Officer based in Galveston, Texas, practicing at McLeod, Alexander, Powel & Apffel A Professional Corporation. They have 44+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1982. Their practice focuses on personal injury, business, real estate, litigation, and environmental. Admitted to practice in Texas (1982), Oklahoma (2000), and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Oklahoma U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern (2000). Educated at University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 1981) and Sam Houston State University (B.A English, 1979). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Professional Activities •State Bar of Texas •State Bar of Oklahoma •Galveston Bar Association •Member, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel •Chairman, Environmental Committee, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel •Member and American Association of Railroads Environmental Counsel Committee •Member, Environmental Committee of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel •Member, Texas and Oklahoma State Bar Environmental Law Sections. Serves clients in Galveston, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About David E. Cowen

  • Mr. Cowen associated with the Firm in 1984 and has been a shareholder of the Firm since 1993
  • His principal area of practice is environmental law and litigation
  • Prior to working for the Firm, Mr. Cowen served as a Public Utilities Trial Attorney for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C
  • Mr. Cowen has worked on over 300 environmentally impacted sites thoughout the United States, many of which involved litigation with private entities contributing to the contamination
  • Mr. Cowen represents a variety of clients, from major companies, such as the BNSF Railway Company, BP America Inc., Stewart Title Guaranty Company, and Galveston Wharves, to individuals and smaller companies
  • AWARDS AND HONORS •Articles Editor, University of Houston Law Review. •Member University of Houston ABA Regional Moot Court Team. •Research fellow (Natural Gas Regulation). •Teaching fellow (Legal Research and Writing). •Member, University of Houston Board of Advocates. •Recipient of two academic scholarships. •Member Phi Delta Phi, legal academic honors society. •Rated “AV Preeminent” (highest rating possible) by Martindale-Hubbell •Outstanding Humanities Major 1979. •Dean’s List all semesters. •Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. •Alpha Chi and Sigma Tau Delta academic honor societies. •Vice President, Marketing Society. •Vice President, Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor Society). •Member, Student Senate (two years). •Precinct Election Judge, Walker County, Texas. •Academic Scholarship Recipient
  • OPINIONS AND PRESENTATIONS •Speaker, Fall 2001 Pacific Conference (Environmental Law Program), National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (Santa Barbara, California) •Speaker, 2003 Southwest and Pacific Regions Combined Meeting, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (New Orleans) •Speaker, November 2002, Railroad Environmental Conference (Champagne-Urbana, Ill.) •Speaker, Summer 2005, “Environmental Legislative Update”, Texas Port Authorities Annual Meeting •Speaker, Summer 2005, AAR Environmental Counsel Meeting (Washington, D.C.) •David E. Cowen, Using the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act as a Cost Recovery Tool Against Prior Owners and Operators of Underground and Above Ground Petroleum Storage Tank Systems, 34 Tex
  • Env
  • L. J. 24 (2003) •Editor, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel Environmental Webpage and Database

Practice Areas Explained

David E. Cowen's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David E. Cowen handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Galveston.

Personal Injury in Galveston

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

David E. Cowen is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Texas →

Business & Corporate Law in Galveston

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

David E. Cowen is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →

Real Estate Law in Galveston

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

David E. Cowen is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Texas →

Civil Litigation in Galveston

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

David E. Cowen is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Texas →

Environmental Law in Galveston

Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.

David E. Cowen is one of 55,977 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Texas →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Galveston

Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Galveston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Galveston Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Galveston-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Galveston or all attorneys in Texas.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About David E. Cowen

Where is David E. Cowen's law office located?
David E. Cowen's law practice is located in Galveston, Texas. The firm is McLeod, Alexander, Powel & Apffel A Professional Corporation. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does David E. Cowen handle?
David E. Cowen focuses on personal injury, business, real estate, litigation, environmental. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Texas.
How long has David E. Cowen practiced law?
David E. Cowen has 44+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1982.
Where did David E. Cowen go to law school?
David E. Cowen earned their education at (J.D., 1981); (B.A English, 1979).
How can I contact David E. Cowen for a consultation?
You can contact David E. Cowen directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has David E. Cowen received?
David E. Cowen's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Galveston Choose David E. Cowen

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish David E. Cowen's practice in the field of personal injury, business, real estate, litigation, and environmental.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

David E. Cowen brings 44+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Texas, Oklahoma, and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Oklahoma U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern , David E. Cowen can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering personal injury, business, and real estate, David E. Cowen can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Galveston

A Galveston-based practice means David E. Cowen attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues David E. Cowen Handles in Galveston

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters David E. Cowen has experience with under Texas law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Car accident injury claims
Personal Injury
Slip and fall cases
Personal Injury
Wrongful death suits
Personal Injury
Workers' compensation appeals
Personal Injury
Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business
Residential property transactions
Real Estate
Commercial lease disputes
Real Estate
Title and deed issues
Real Estate
Landlord-tenant conflicts
Real Estate

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact David E. Cowen directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find David E. Cowen Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Galveston commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like David E. Cowen.

David E. Cowen attorney David E. Cowen lawyer David E. Cowen Galveston David E. Cowen Texas David E. Cowen reviews David E. Cowen contact McLeod, Alexander, Powel & Apffel A Professional Corporation law firm personal injury attorney in Galveston personal injury lawyer Galveston best personal injury attorney Galveston top rated personal injury lawyer near me personal injury attorney Texas find a lawyer near me how to hire an attorney

If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with David E. Cowen directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
University of Houston Law Center
- 1981
B.A English
Sam Houston State University
- 1979

Awards & Professional Honors

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Texas
Admitted: 1982
Oklahoma
Admitted: 2000
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Oklahoma U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern
Admitted: 2000

Client Reviews & Ratings — David E. Cowen

4.8
19 Review
5 0
4 0
3 0
2 0
1 0
These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.