Andrew W. Cowan

Andrew W. Cowan

also known as Andy Cowan

4.5
Rating: 1.0

Licensed for 17 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Boston, MA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Probate

25 Bay State Rd, FL 2, Boston, MA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023
See Details

About Andrew

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 250-450 per hour

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 17 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 2008

Disbarred

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2023

Location

PiltserCowan Law

25 Bay State Rd, FL 2, Boston, MA, 02215

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Andrew W. Cowan's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.5 /5.0

15 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (15) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | August 07, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Litigation

Attorney Andrew Cowan Is Excellent, Genius, Friendly, Dedicated

Attorney Cowan, and his entire team (including, but not limited to, Attorney Meaghan Cary and Ray Lardie) were helpful, insightful, available, intelligent, reliable and supportive throughout a stressful ordeal. Attorney Cowan, or 'Andy', as I came to know him, is patient and comprehensive in listenin...g and gathering information, creative and discerning in exploring various strategies, prudent and realistic in considering possible outcomes, and, most importantly simply excellent at litigation/ cross-examination. He was scientific and methodical in preparing key evidence, and he did so under a stressful time crunch. Attorney Meaghan Cary is also brilliant, compassionate, effective, and patient. Attorney Cary played a key role, with her creative thinking, accessibility and knowledge of the law, in our successful outcome. I believe Andy has a background in the sciences, and I assume this informs his amazing skills in critical thinking, analysis and preparation of evidence. Without going in to details, I needed his services, skill and expertise, through no fault of my own, and I needed it almost immediately. The amount of work he was able to do in a short amount of time, and the skills he demonstrated in knowledge of the law, high-tech cell phone (and other) evidence preparation, cross-examination, and patiently navigating me through a new and treacherous terrain from day 1 of this ordeal through to achieving a successful result, was nothing short of amazing. I am deeply grateful to Attorneys Cowan and Cary, and Ray Lardie, for their unerring work and support and expertise. Before finding Attorney Cowan, I had met with and consulted with at least 8 different attorneys/ law firms, in the course of a few days. Incidentally, Andy came highly recommended amongst his peers and colleagues, and is known to be a genius. I found this to be true, and additionally, he is dedicated to justice, to his client, and to a fair outcome, which is what he achieved for me, seemingly against some formidable odds. He is a workhorse, extremely efficient, very compassionate, and his communication skills--both that I observed and received--are second to none. He even has a way of not only communicating something, but explaining rather obscure or complex legal concepts or anomalies so that I could understand them perfectly and remain focused on the big picture or topic at hand. Often times when we need an attorney, we are either in crisis or just not in a comfortable place; Attorney Cowan and his team are a benevolent and effective force of guidance, protection, representation. His office is calm and productive and Andy exudes class and kindness and self-composure. He is so tuned in. Thank you Andy and Meaghan and Ray and the entire team!

Posted by anonymous | January 13, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

The best lawyer one could ever ask for!!

Probably one of the most down-to-Earth, nicest lawyers you'll ever work with. Andy really took the time to listen to every detail of my case and worked hard to ensure that no stone leave unturned. He was genuinely interested in understanding every nuance that governed my actions that lead to this h...earing and was able to advise me as to how to best present myself at the time of my hearing. As a result of Andy's help, I was able to walk away with a 6m suspension rather than be charged -- so nothing on my record -- Thank Goodness!! I highly recommend Andy if you ever need a lawyer. KNOW that you can count on him to be there for you every step of the way.

Posted by anonymous | January 05, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Landlord & Tenant

Highly Deceptive, Negligent, Personally Offensive

In the next month I will finalize my MA BAR complaint against Cowan. I will argue that he has violated not one but a multitude of codes of professional ethics of the BAR against me.Over 1.25 years, I endured a multitude of instances of Cowan egregiously neglecting core aspects of my case, and failing... to provide me with even minimal protection against a shockingly vicious and retaliatory and housing-code violating landlord, including even sending that landlord and her attorney a letter asking that they not engage in defamation or harm against me in social spheres outside of the landlord-tenant matter. He also did not inquire into my financial status, my health status, my civil background, etc., during my first meeting with him. He was overtly reticent to engage in any meaningful discussion during my first meeting with him, did not interview me even 5% thoroughly, and as problems arose as the months proceeded, he evaded providing me with information and advising that any competent attorney would, ignored the problems, and the problems proliferated. He overtly lied to me a multitude of times about how he was investigating my apartment context, eg, he told me 5+ times over months that he would hire a plumber to assess the highly malfunctioning steam heating system (which was my primary complaint against the landlord), he never did, he avoided contacting the previous tenant of the apartment about the extreme radiator despite that I provided his contact information, he failed to interview the two tenants below me in a minimal through way including asking them if they heard my radiators, he objected to my personal opinion against my sadistic landlord arguing that I was being "sexist" (despite that she rampantly abused me for 8+ months, and despite that I had been abused only by women landlord-homeowners in the past), whereas he would refer to me impersonally as Mr.___ he would obsessively refer to the landlord by her first name, or first and last name, despite that he never met her, he clearly ignored my perspective about her, she kept abusing me over the next 1 year, and Cowan kept failing to protect me with even simple letters. He has immense communicative problems, I repeatedly told him that if anything needed to be discussed back and forth that I would prefer to do so by phone rather than countless aggressive emails, he nevertheless proceeded to respond to my voicemails with emails, and fueled continued misunderstanding and even hostility, I asked him to discontinue referring to my landlord by her first name, and first and last name, given her horrible chronic abuse against me, and he objected to this, and eventually agreed, and then later resumed doing so, including recently, clearly in order to cause me more distress, and in doing so, he dishonored his commitment and lied, his failure to communicate professionally is in violation of MA BAR standards of conduct. Countless violations. He obsessively reiterated my landlord's attorney's hostile statements about me (horrible personally offensive statements about me) as if he (Cowan) enjoyed doing so, I quickly asked him to not do so and that I would prefer to not be informed about what the defendent's attorney was saying about me, he honored this for some months, but then reverted to doing so intensely and repeatedly. He told me of my deposition date, and stated he would like to prepare me for it. He stated that the deposition would be benign and even boring. I trusted him. I was then subjected to 2.5 hours of the defendant's lawyer interrogating me and scoffing at me about highly personal aspects of my life...a vicious intimidation campaign. I later learned that this is common in such depositions, Cowan did not inform me of this to any degree. Cowan's patter of conduct was to entrap me maximally, so that I would not recede from the case. He subjected me personally, professionally, and financially to considerable damage, and clearly appeared to enjoy the game of doing so.

Posted by anonymous | August 25, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Contracts & Agreements

Outstanding!

I hired Andy to help me contest a contract with a fraudulent real estate management company that billed thousands of dollars for services that they did not provide. Andy was the consummate professional - respectful, understanding, and extremely knowledgeable. He was also incredibly effective. With...in days, he achieved remarkable success for me. The real estate company backed down immediately, releasing me from the contract without penalty. Andy then negotiated with the company to achieve a favorable settlement. He was top-notch in every respect, and I was blown away by how brilliantly he handled the situation. I recommend him without hesitation. He's terrific.

Posted by anonymous | March 23, 2017

Knowledge, and understanding on Avvo call

I had a legal situation that I got on an Avvo consultation call with Mr. Cowan. He was understanding of the situation, knowledgeable and direct with his thoughts and advice. He discussed different potential outcomes and issues surrounding my situation and made me feel more at ease with where I stood,... what my situation was, and what I could do/be facing. I highly recommend him for consulting and any further problems I will be in touch with him.

See All Client Reviews

Andrew W. Cowan's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Andrew
Dominic L. Pang headshot
Dominic Pang

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Cowan is a top notch criminal defense practitioner. I have personally observed him in court on many occasions. He is an persuasive and zealous advocate for his clients who possesses an keen legal mind and excellent understanding of criminal law."

Nicole Mann headshot
Nicole Mann

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 23

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Andrew personally and professionally for over ten years. He is dedicated, thorough, and straightforward in his work. He is one of the most upstanding professionals I have met in my career."

Meaghan M. Cary headshot
Meaghan Cary

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 15

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Andy has been a friend and collaborator for many years. His experience and insight were invaluable to me in my work as a public defender, and I am delighted and proud to be working with him at PiltserCowan Law LLC."

Patrick Madden Gioia headshot
Patrick Gioia

Criminal defense lawyer | May 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Andy is an amazing, thoughtful and smart attorney. I trust his counsel and seek his advice often."

Rahul Aggarwal headshot
Rahul Aggarwal

Unknown lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."

William D Kickham headshot
William Kickham

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have conferred with and worked with Atty. Cowan on previous matters involving Massachusetts criminal law. I have found him to be knowledgeable and effective. I endorse this lawyer."

Jesse Bousquet Jr. headshot
Jesse Bousquet

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I met Attorney Cowan a few years ago. He is a master of the craft, and someone clients and attorneys alike can turn to for advice. Clients should feel secure with Attorney Cowan and his ability to represent them well."

Daniel L. Kron headshot
Daniel Kron

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Simply said, Andrew is a great criminal defense lawyer."

Keren E Goldenberg headshot
Keren Goldenberg

Criminal defense lawyer | May 31

Relationship: Co-worker

"Andy and I worked together for quite a few years. He is creative, tenacious, and cares deeply for his clients. I would trust him on any legal matter."

Rick M Seccareccio headshot
Rick Seccareccio

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Andrew is a fabulous and hard working attorney."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Jan 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Unknown lawyer | Nov 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Leo Potter headshot
Michael Potter

Estate planning lawyer | Aug 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Andrew is an exceptional lawyer and well-respected member of the Bar who subscribes to the highest standards of professionalism, service, ethics and integrity. He puts the interests of clients first and is credit to the legal profession. He is a credit to the Legal Profession and I’m proud to provide this Peer Endorsement as a colleague."

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."

Shawn S Sukumar headshot
Shawn Sukumar

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Andy is passionate about criminal defense, and definitely one of the best in the field."

George Papachristos headshot
George Papachristos

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Gilbert Richard Hoy Jr headshot
Gilbert Hoy

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Fine criminal defense lawyer."

Inna Rifman headshot
Inna Rifman

Unknown lawyer | Jan 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Ian Thomas Davis headshot
Ian Davis

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jason Green headshot
Jason Green

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Cowan is a thoughtful, creative and zealous advocate."

View All Endorsements
Meaghan M. Cary headshot
Meaghan Cary

Criminal defense lawyer

Melissa Tobin headshot
Melissa Tobin

Criminal defense lawyer

Shauna M. Harris headshot
Shauna Harris

Criminal defense lawyer

Tabitha Bolden headshot
Tabitha Bolden

Criminal defense lawyer

William D Kickham headshot
William Kickham

Criminal defense lawyer

Jesse Bousquet Jr. headshot
Jesse Bousquet

Criminal defense lawyer

Isaac Kalish headshot
Isaac Kalish

Criminal defense lawyer

Keren E Goldenberg headshot
Keren Goldenberg

Criminal defense lawyer

Debra Ann Faulkner headshot
Debra Faulkner

Estate planning lawyer

David J. Grimaldi headshot
David Grimaldi

Criminal defense lawyer

Katelynn O. Creighton headshot
Katelynn Creighton

Criminal defense lawyer

Jason Green headshot
Jason Green

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  1.0 (Extreme Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023.

Disbarment issued in MA, 2023

updated on 01/02/2024

Disbarment is the most serious penalty for an attorney. If this attorney is currently practicing law, you should contact the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers to understand the reasons for disbarment.

Honors

2012

Rising Star Award for Exemplary Public Service, Cornell Law School

2012

Legal Worker Award, National Lawyers Guild (Massachusetts chapter)

2008

Freeman Award for Civil/Human Rights, Cornell Law School

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Andrew Cowan

2008 - 2013

Trial Attorney, Committee For Public Counsel Services

Associations

2015 - Present

Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association

Member

2013 - Present

Massachusetts Bar Association

Member

2011 - Present

National Lawyers Guild (Massachusetts chapter)

Member

2000 - Present

American Radio Relay League

Member

2013 - 2014

Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2013 - 2014

Hampshire County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Photographing an unsuspecting nude person

All charges dropped

HPO Violation

Not Guilty in two cases

Distribution of Oxycodone

Not Guilty

Bar Fight

Not Guilty

Cocaine Trafficking and Illegal Gun Possession

Dismissed

Attempted Arson Jury Trial

Guilty of lesser offense, time served.

Heroin Trafficking

Dismissed

Bank Robberies

Probation -- No Jail Time

See More Legal Cases

Education

2008

Cornell Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

2008

University of Iowa

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2016

Zealous Advocacy

Evidence

2016

Superior Court Training

Discovery

2016

Social Science and the Law

Social Science and Criminal Defense

2016

Probation Violations in the District Court Probation Violations in the District Court

2015

Zealous Advocacy

Law of Evidence

2015

Superior Court Training

Discovery

2014

Zealous Advocacy

Law of Evidence

2014

New Lawyer Training

Scientific Evidence in Drug Cases

2014

Going Through the (Criminal) Motions Identification Issues

2013

New Lawyer Training

Scientific Evidence in Drug Cases

2012

Technology Assisted Litigation Tablets in Court

2012

New Lawyer Training

Scientific Evidence in Drug Cases

Publications

2017

2015

Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts Scientific Evidence and Protocols

2010

Trying Drug Cases in Massachusetts Scientific Evidence and Protocols

Languages

German

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution