Finis E. Cowan

Who is Finis E. Cowan?

Finis E. Cowan is a former United States federal judge.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Cowan received a B.A. from Rice University in 1951 and an LL.B. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1956. He was a U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant during the Korean War, from 1951 to 1953. He was in private practice in Houston, Texas from 1956 to 1977.

On May 19, 1977, Cowan was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas vacated by James L. Noel, Jr.. Cowan was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 13, 1977, and received his commission on June 14, 1977. Cowan served in that capacity for just over two years, resigning on June 30, 1979, and returning to private practice in Houston.