Mo Cowan Bio
William Maurice “Mo” Cowan, born on April 4, 1969, is an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts from February to July 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, he was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick to fill the seat vacated by John Kerry when Kerry left the Senate to become U.S. Secretary of State. Cowan’s brief Senate tenure made him one of the few African-American senators in the history of the United States and only the second African-American to represent Massachusetts in the chamber, following Edward Brooke.
Before his time in the Senate, Cowan built a career in Massachusetts state government and private law. He served as legal counsel and later chief of staff to Governor Deval Patrick, earning a reputation as a trusted adviser and skilled administrator. After completing his interim Senate term, Cowan returned to private life, declining to run in the 2013 special election that ultimately returned the seat to Democratic control under Ed Markey.
Early Life and Background
William Maurice Cowan was born on April 4, 1969, in the small town of Yadkinville, North Carolina. He grew up in a working-class household as the son of a machinist and a seamstress. His father died when Cowan was 16 years old, an experience that shaped his early sense of responsibility and ambition. Despite the challenges of his upbringing, Cowan excelled in school and graduated from Forbush High School in his home community.
Cowan originally planned to pursue a career in medicine, but his interests gradually shifted toward law and public policy. He enrolled at Duke University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1991. After college, Cowan continued his education at Northeastern University School of Law, where he completed a Juris Doctor in 1994. Through Northeastern’s cooperative education program, he gained hands-on experience working in a state trial court, at North Carolina Prison Legal Services, and with the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office.
Path to US Politics
After completing law school, Cowan began his legal career in Massachusetts. In 1997, he joined the Boston-based law firm Mintz Levin as an associate, where he practiced civil litigation. He eventually rose to the rank of partner at the firm, building a strong reputation in the legal community. During this period, Cowan also worked with Governor Mitt Romney’s administration to identify African-American candidates for judicial appointments, helping to address concerns about diversity in the governor’s selections.
Cowan’s growing profile in Massachusetts politics led him to join Governor Deval Patrick’s administration in 2009 as chief legal counsel. In this role, he oversaw the legal operations of the executive branch and managed the governor’s judicial nominations, including the nomination of Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland of the Supreme Judicial Court. He also worked on legislation aimed at containing health care costs and expanding gaming in Massachusetts, as well as reorganizing the state Parole Board. These experiences positioned Cowan as a key figure in state government and prepared him for the unexpected turn his career would take in 2013.
Mo Cowan Career
Early Career (1994–2009)
Following his graduation from Northeastern University School of Law in 1994, Cowan launched his legal career in Massachusetts. He joined the law firm of Mintz Levin in 1997, where he built a successful practice in civil litigation and was eventually elevated to partner. His work during these years established him as a rising figure in the Boston legal community. In 2003, the Boston Business Journal recognized his accomplishments by naming him to its “40 under 40” list, a recognition given to outstanding younger business and civic leaders.
Cowan also became active in professional organizations, serving as president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and the Northeastern Law School Alumni Association. His involvement in civic and legal organizations, combined with his work advising Governor Romney on judicial diversity, gave him broad experience in both the private and public sectors. These accomplishments laid the foundation for his eventual transition into state government.
Governor Patrick’s Administration (2009–2012)
In 2009, Cowan left Mintz Levin to join the administration of Governor Deval Patrick as chief legal counsel. Over the next two years, he managed the legal affairs of the Massachusetts executive branch and led the governor’s judicial nomination process, which included helping to elevate Roderick L. Ireland to Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. He also played a leading role in major policy efforts, including legislation to control health care cost growth and a controversial bill to expand gaming in the state.
In January 2011, Cowan was promoted to chief of staff to Governor Patrick, a position he held until November 2012. As chief of staff, he was one of the governor’s closest advisers on policy and operations. When he announced his intention to return to the private sector in late 2012, Cowan continued to serve Patrick as a senior adviser until his Senate appointment. His leadership during these years earned him respect across Massachusetts political circles.
United States Senate (February–July 2013)
The path to the U.S. Senate opened in December 2012 when President Barack Obama nominated Senator John Kerry to serve as Secretary of State, creating a vacancy in the Massachusetts seat Kerry had held for 28 years. Governor Deval Patrick sought an “out of the box” interim appointee who had never run for office and would not seek election to the seat. On January 30, 2013, Patrick announced Cowan’s appointment, and his term officially began on February 1, 2013, once Kerry’s resignation took effect. Vice President Joe Biden swore Cowan into office on February 7, 2013.
During his brief tenure, Cowan became only the second African-American U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, following Edward Brooke. He served alongside Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, marking the first time two African-American senators held seats in the chamber at the same time. At the time, Cowan was one of three African-American senators in the 113th Congress, alongside Tim Scott and Cory Booker, although Booker’s swearing-in came after Cowan’s term had ended. Cowan made clear that he did not intend to seek the seat in his own right, famously stating that his would be a very short political career. His interim term concluded on July 15, 2013, when Ed Markey was sworn in after winning the special election.
Mo Cowan Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Mo Cowan is married to Stacy Cowan, who is also a lawyer. The couple has two sons, Miles and Grant, and the family resides in Westwood, Massachusetts. Despite his short time in the national political spotlight, Cowan has remained connected to his North Carolina roots and his Massachusetts community. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Northeastern University, reflecting his ongoing commitment to his alma mater.
Cowan has also been active in numerous civic and nonprofit organizations. His past board service includes the Discovering Justice Foundation, Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, the Chestnut Hill School, and Project STEP. In 2013, Georgetown University recognized his accomplishments by awarding him an honorary degree, and he delivered the commencement address at the McDonough School of Business. These roles reflect a continued dedication to education, justice, and community service beyond his brief Senate career.