Mo Cowan

Mo Cowan. William Maurice "Mo" Cowan is an American attorney, corporate executive, and former politician who served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts in 2013. Appointed by Governor Deval Patrick following the resignation of John Kerry, he was the second African American to represent the state in the U.S. Senate and served until a special election installed Ed Markey. Prior to his brief Senate tenure, Cowan had a distinguished career as a litigator and served as Chief of Staff to Governor Patrick, playing a key role in the Massachusetts State House.

Early life and education

Born in Yadkinville, North Carolina, Cowan was raised in a rural community and attended local public schools. He demonstrated academic promise early, which led him to pursue higher education at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. At Duke, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and was actively involved in student government and various campus organizations. Following his undergraduate studies, Cowan moved north to attend Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree, immersing himself in the legal community of New England.

Legal and business career

After graduating from law school, Cowan began his legal career as an associate at the prominent Boston law firm Bingham McCutchen, focusing on complex commercial litigation and white-collar defense. His expertise in high-stakes litigation led him to a position as a partner at the firm Day Pitney, where he represented clients in state and federal courts, including matters before the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. In 2010, he transitioned from private practice to public service, joining the administration of Governor Deval Patrick as his Chief Legal Counsel, advising on a wide range of issues from judicial nominations to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Massachusetts.

U.S. Senate appointment

In January 2013, following the confirmation of Senator John Kerry as United States Secretary of State, Governor Deval Patrick appointed Cowan to temporarily fill the vacant United States Senate seat. Cowan was sworn into the 113th United States Congress by Vice President Joe Biden, becoming only the second African American senator from Massachusetts after Edward Brooke. During his five-month tenure, he served on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, advocating for policies supporting innovation in sectors like biotechnology and clean energy. He chose not to run in the ensuing special election, and his term concluded with the swearing-in of Congressman Ed Markey, who won the election against Gabriel Gomez.

Post-Senate career

Upon leaving the U.S. Senate, Cowan returned to the private sector, joining the multinational law firm WilmerHale as a senior advisor in their Boston office, focusing on strategic counseling and crisis management. In 2016, he transitioned to the corporate world, being appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the MLB Network's parent company, but he soon moved to the technology sector. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer at the venture capital firm General Catalyst, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he oversees legal, compliance, and operational strategies for investments in companies like Stripe and Snapchat. He also serves on the board of directors for several organizations, including the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Personal life

Cowan is married to Stacy Cowan, a healthcare executive, and the couple resides in Boston with their two sons. He is an active member of the Boston community, participating in various civic and charitable boards, including those supporting the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Northeastern University School of Law alumni association. In his spare time, Cowan is an avid fan of Duke basketball and the Boston Red Sox, and he frequently speaks at events for the Democratic National Committee and legal associations like the American Bar Association.

Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:American corporate executives Category:United States Senators from Massachusetts Category:African-American politicians Category:Duke University alumni Category:Northeastern University alumni