Firm Overview

Fort Lauderdale Board Certified Marital & Family Lawyer

I represent divorcing couples and parents in all aspects of Florida divorce and family law. Based in Fort Lauderdale, my practice serves men and women (and the best interests of their children) in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Call me today for more information about my philosophy of practice and how I can help you come to an amicable agreement or assert your rights in litigation.

Therapeutic Jurisprudence — A More Reflective Legal System

It's said that justice is blind, meaning that its decisions are impartial. But in the cold application of statutes, justice can be blind and deaf, indifferent to its unintended consequences. A judge's ruling can be legally sound yet create emotional distress, psychological harm, logistical problems, or financial hardship. As your attorney, and an adherent of therapeutic jurisprudence, I take a more holistic, "big picture" approach.

I believe, first of all, that clients are better off when they can put aside emotions and come to an out-of-court agreement in divorce and family law matters. In many proceedings before a family court judge, the affected parties have little input and even less control over the outcome.

The idea of therapeutic jurisprudence is to step back and consider the impact of the law — in custody decisions, divorce decrees, financial support — before signing agreements or asking a judge to rule. I aim to bring more foresight and compassion into the legal process, and to downplay the adversarial tendency of family issues. We often involve psychologists, legal advocates for children, and other professionals to examine the psychological and emotional aspects of family law decisions. The quality of post-divorce relationships is enhanced when all parties' concerns are addressed on the front end. Future disagreements are more likely to be resolved by the parties without resorting to court intervention.

About the Law Office of Curtis R. Cowan, P.A.

I graduated magna cum laude and earned my J.D. in 1985 from Nova Southeastern University Law School in Ft. Lauderdale, where I was Editor-In-Chief of the Nova Law Review and a recipient of the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence, at graduation. I earned my Bachelor of Science in 1973 from Ohio State University where I was a member of the varsity swimming team.

I spent the first 17 years of my legal career as a partner in the prestigious law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP, where I became a partner. In 2006, I opened my own practice, the Law Office of Curtis R. Cowan, P.A., to put that big-firm experience to my clients' best advantage. As a solo attorney, I am able to focus exclusively in marital and family law and limit my caseload to devote the proper time and attention to your legal issues.

I am a member of the Florida Bar, including the Family Law Section, the American Bar Association, including its Family Law Section, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the Broward County Bar Association.

In my community, I have been active as an Executive Board Member of the Communities in Schools of Broward County, Inc. and I am active in Broward Lawyers Care. I have been an adjunct professor of law at the Nova Southeastern Law Center, teaching Pretrial Practice to second- and third-year law students.

Prior to attending law school, I taught high school English and coached high school swimming for eight years in Broward County. In addition, I coached the 1976 Florida State Swimming Champions and received "Swimming Coach of the Year" honors five times.

Effective, Cost-Conscious, and Compassionate Legal Advocacy

I strive to be accessible and approachable as a marital and family lawyer, but have the courtroom experience to protect your interests in litigation. Contact my Fort Lauderdale office today at (954)768-0720 to discuss your situation in the context of therapeutic jurisprudence. I offer a $150 initial consultation, which is waived when you retain me for your divorce, custody or related matter.