This is the property of the Daily Journal Corporation and fully protected by copyright. It is made available only to Daily Journal subscribers for personal or collaborative purposes and may not be distributed, reproduced, modified, stored or transferred without written permission. Please click "Reprint" to order presentation-ready copies to distribute to clients or use in commercial marketing materials or for permission to post on a website. and copyright (showing year of publication) at the bottom.
Subscribe to the Daily Journal for access to Daily Appellate Reports, Verdicts, Judicial Profiles and more...

Oct. 21, 2025

Judge David Cowan returns to probate, the discipline that defines his craft

The longtime Los Angeles Superior Court jurist, known for his methodical rulings and steady leadership, has resumed trying probate cases, the work that first shaped his philosophy on justice.

Read more about David J. Cowan...
Judge David Cowan returns to probate, the discipline that defines his craft
Los Angeles County Superior Court

Career Highlights: Appointed Los Angeles County Superior Court judge by Gov. Jerry Brown, June 18, 2014; commissioner, Los Angeles County, 2005-14; sole practitioner, Los Angeles, 1994-2005; of counsel, Hong and Chang, Los Angeles, 2001-02; associate, Leland Parachini Flinn Steinberg Matzger & Melnick, LLP, Los Angeles, 1992-94; associate, Rogers and Wells, Los Angeles, 1988-92

Law School: UC Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, 1988

Los Angeles County Superior Court

LOS ANGELES - After two decades shaping how the Superior Court handles complex civil and probate matters, Judge David J. Cowan has returned to the assignment that first defined his judicial style -- one built on meticulous preparation, steady temperament and an architect's eye for structure.

"When I was in probate before, I helped create the long-cause courtroom," he said. "That was almost 10 years ago." Returning now to the same discipline feel... (continued)

To continue reading, please subscribe.
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$795 for an entire year!

Or access this Judicial Profile for $85
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this Judicial Profile. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)

Already a subscriber?

Enewsletter Sign-up