William "Mo" Cowan has participated in numerous Massachusetts Bar Association events, including the Tiered Community Mentoring program (bottom).
William "Mo" Cowan has been selected by Gov. Deval L. Patrick to
serve as the Massachusetts interim U.S. senator. Patrick's former
chief of staff, Cowan will hold the post until a June 25 special
election determines who will succeed John F. Kerry, who resigned
after being named Secretary of State.
Patrick announced his selection of Cowan on Wednesday, Jan. 30
in the Governor's Council chambers at the State House. Cowan is the
first African-American in the Massachusetts Senate since Edward
Brooke served from 1966 to 1978.
"The governor went with his most trusted confidant. Cowan has
the wisdom and practicality to be a great steward for the state,"
said Martin W. Healy, MBA chief legal counsel and chief operating
officer.
"Mo has been at the forefront of every one of Patrick's inside
political appointments and complex legal decisions. He enjoys a
great working relationship with federal and state office holders,"
Healy said. "The historic appointment of an African American U.S.
senator could not have been handled better by the governor."
Hired by Patrick in 2009 as his legal counsel, Cowan was
promoted to chief of staff one year later. He stepped down from his
position in November with plans to return to the private
sector.