Jennifer Cowan, Esq., a Tampa Bay native, has joined the Tampa office of Bryant Miller Olive P.A. (BMO) as an attorney. Cowan focuses her practice on state and local government law, including subject matter expertise in employment law matters.

Cowan has been Board Certified in local government law since 2015. She represents local governments, special districts, a major deep-water seaport, and Community Development Districts (CDDs) in matters concerning annexations, interlocal agreements, procurement, contract management, construction contracting, collective bargaining, employment law, ethics, public records, Sunshine Law, and real property issues.

She advises public employers on federal and state laws pertaining to government retirement programs, and prepares pension plan documents and amendments. Cowan also assists local governments in evaluating pension reform options, implementing plan changes, and joining the Florida Retirement System.

Additionally, Cowan assists private and public clients in matters before the Florida Department of Community Affairs and various county and municipal governments concerning Developments of Regional Impact, comprehensive plan amendments, concurrency matters, zoning issues, impact fees reimbursements and disputes, and development of CDDs. She has represented public and private clients in civil litigation and appellate matters.

A member of The Florida Bar and American Bar Association, Cowan is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. In addition, she is a member of the City of Gulfport’s Planning and Zoning Advisory Board, Manatee County Bar Association, and St. Petersburg Bar Association. She is a trustee of the Arthur Family Foundation, and a member of the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association. She participated in Leadership Pinellas (class of 2016–2017) and Education Leadership Committee (2017–2018).

Cowan earned her J.D., cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida with a concentration in advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in philosophy and political science, with minors in chemical science and religion, from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

“Jennifer brings a great deal of experience and knowledge in state and local government law to BMO, which is a mainstay of our legal practice,” said BMO Managing Shareholder Grace Dunlap. “A native of Tampa Bay, she knows the area very well and is dedicated to the community and its residents. Her collaborative nature fits well with our team-oriented practice model.”

For more information about Cowan, visit https://www.bmolaw.com/lawyer/jennifer-r-cowan. To contact Cowan, call 813-273-6677 or email jcowan@bmolaw.com.

About Bryant Miller Olive: With a distinguished 50-year history of serving its clients' needs, Bryant Miller Olive represents governments, businesses and agencies in legal matters relating to public finance, real estate, state and local government law, complex transactions, project finance, litigation, and labor and employment. Firm attorneys are often called upon to handle some of the most complex legal issues in the boardroom and in the courtroom. The firm has offices in Tampa, Tallahassee, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.bmolaw.com