Anastasia Cowan, Esq.

Anastasia Cowan is one of two dually certified specialists in North Carolina, with a designation as a Child Welfare Law Specialist through the National Association of Counsel for Children, as well as being a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law.

She earned her Child Welfare Specialist Designation in 2018 and was recently certified as a Board Certified Specialist in Child Welfare Law. Ms. Cowan is one of only twenty-four attorneys in North Carolina who hold the specialization, and the only private sector attorney holding the specialization in Mecklenburg or surrounding counties. The Child Welfare Law Specialization is the practice of law representing children, parents or the government in all child protection proceedings including emergency, temporary custody, adjudication, disposition, foster care, permanency planning, termination, guardianship, and adoption. This specialization requires that a lawyer understand relevant principles from child development and psychology regarding individual and family dynamics and appropriate treatment modalities for child abuse and neglect and be capable of recognizing the professional responsibility and ethical issues that arise out of the client’s status.

Ms. Cowan focuses her practice on all matters related to Family and Child Welfare Law in the many diverse forms it can take. Ms. Cowan is passionate about helping people get through what is likely one of the most challenging and emotional times in their lives. She works hard to settle cases that can be settled outside of the courtroom, but is confident and ready to battle in the courtroom when necessary.

Ms. Cowan pursued her undergraduate degree at Ohio State University and is a proud Buckeye. Ms. Cowan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in three years and used the fourth year to intern at the Ohio State Bar Foundation. At the Bar Foundation, Ms. Cowan was able to work on various charitable endeavors throughout the community.

Ms. Cowan attended Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, where she earned a J.D. with an education concentration in children and family law. While at Capital, she worked for the National Center for Adoption Law and Policy, interned with the Durham County Attorney for the Department of Social Services and worked as a hearing officer for Franklin County’s Teen Court Program. She also competed on the school’s Children and Family Moot Court team.

After graduating from Law School, Ms. Cowan moved to Charlotte and opened a private practice focusing in indigent criminal defense, juvenile delinquency, and child welfare. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Cowan was hired on as the Mental Health Attorney on the Children’s Defense team at the Council for Children’s Rights. While in that role, Ms. Cowan represented hundreds of child clients in mental health and delinquency proceedings.

When Ms. Cowan is not working, she enjoys volunteering, running Disney Half Marathons, traveling, spending time with her Husband and daughter, and throwing tennis balls to her shih tzu, Daisy.