If you had to put a label on Paul Cowan, it would have be "rock steady" in all aspects of his life.

The 40-year-old attorney, a partner in the downtown Miami firm of Golden and Cowan, concentrates his practice in the areas of probate, guardianship, trusts and estates. The firm is considered one of the best the field.

"We’re doing pretty well," he said modestly. "I think people in the law community like us and respect us. I think we do a good job."

Cowan teamed with Ed Golden in 1987 when he was fresh out of law school. In fact, Cowan was Golden’s law clerk when he began his law studies in 1982 at the University of Miami.

"When law school was over, I stayed on as an associate," Cowan recalled. "As the practice grew and we built it, we became partners. Ed and I have just got along so well from the day we met. It’s really unique the relationship he and I have. I don’t think you’ll find it anywhere else."

Cowan is proud that he has remained with the firm where he began his professional practice.

"Of all of my colleagues, I am one of only a handful of people — maybe the only one — who actually stayed where they started."

Cowan graduated from the University of Maryland in 1979 and began his professional life as an accountant in Washington, DC. He soon decided that he wanted to pursue a career in law. His family had re-located to Hollywood and he wanted to be closer to them, so he applied to the law schools at Nova University and the University of Miami.

"I was accepted to both and I decided on Miami," Cowan said. "After I finished law school, I didn’t want to go back to New York and I had made some nice contacts. So, I stayed here."

Cowan remains involved with the University of Miami through volunteer work with the UM athletics.

Cowan has been married for 12 years to the former Susan Kaufman, who grew up in Pinecrest and graduated from Palmetto High School in 1977. The couple has three children: Brian, 8; Kevin, 7, and Alex, 1. The older boys attend Temple Beth Am, which has become a favorite venue for Cowan’s volunteer work.

Cowan is chairman of the Temple Beth Am Professional Advisory Committee, set up by the synagogue’s board of trustees to further endow it with gifts to insure a strong financial future.

"We have a wills and trusts clinic scheduled on June 9," Cowan said. "We’re trying to provide a service to the members of the temple and educate them in the area of wills and trusts. We want to let the members know that the temple is interested in receiving future gifts, as well as current gifts."

Cowan also is on the board of governors of Jewish Family Services of Greater Miami, an organization set up to assist people in need in both the Jewish and the non-sectarian areas. Cowan assists in policy-making, fundraising and the general direction the organization moves. He also sits on the personnel committee and on several subcommittees.

"This organization does such a great job," Cowan said. "They provide so many services to the community, from mental health and family counseling to specialized elderly services and adoption services, and so much, much more. Jewish Family Services is an organization I’m very proud to be a member of."

Between his professional responsibilities and his volunteer work, Cowan has very little time for anything else. However, he said he makes the time available for the important personal things in life.

"I think as long as your family is happy and healthy, that’s number one. From there, your professional life needs to be intact, your work life; you have to do well at what you do and enjoy what you do. And, I think if you have those two things, then everything else falls into place.

"I think I’m a fortunate person."

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