With 39 years of experience defending and prosecuting DUIs, Douglas L. Cowan is one the country's most respected and experienced DUI defense lawyers. He is a founding member of the National College for DUI Defense, served on its Board of Regents from 1994-2000, served as Dean of the College for the 1996-1997 academic year, and is Board Certified in DUI defense by the College. In July, 2000, the College presented Doug with the Richard Erwin Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a career committed to excellence in the representation of his clients, and for his many contributions to the betterment of the DUI Defense Bar. It was only the second time that honor had been bestowed. He is also a founder of the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice, a state organization dedicated to DUI defense, and served as President of the Foundation from 1989-1998. Doug is a Founding Member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Board of Governors, 1987-1989).
Doug is a frequent contributor to local and national legal publications on the subject of DUI defense, is regularly called upon to serve on legislative and other governmental task forces considering DUI issues, has appeared on numerous local radio and television news programs and shows and is regularly quoted in the local press. Doug was named a state of Washington "Super Lawyer" by the publication "Washington Law & Politics" for the years 2000, 2001, 2003-2007 and has been listed in both Kingston's National Registry of Who's Who in America (2002 ed.) and Marquis' Who's Who in America (2002 ed.).
A nationally recognized authority on DUI defense, Doug has lectured or conducted workshops for other lawyers in 16 states on such diverse topics as "Cross-examination of the Arresting Officer," "Pre-trial Litigation, "Opening Statements in a DUI Case," "Jury Selection in DUI Cases," "Opening Statements," "The DataMaster," "Cross-examination of the State's Breath Test Expert," "Bench Trials in DUI Cases," "Legal Ethics in DUI Defense," "Closing Arguments in DUI Cases," and "Demonstrative Evidence in DUI Defense." Doug received certification in administering Standardized Field Sobriety Tests in 1996, and again in 2001.