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Robert E. Cowen

b. 1930

American judge

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About Robert E. Cowen

Born 1930. Robert E. Cowen is an American lawyer and judge.

Robert E. Cowen (born September 4, 1930) is a Senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit based in Philadelphia. He joined the court in 1987 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan. Cowen has served in the federal judiciary since 1978.

Early life and education

A native of New Jersey, Cowen graduated from Drake University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1958, Cowen graduated from Rutgers School of Law–Newark with a Bachelor of Laws.

Career

Cowen began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Walter Conklin of the New Jersey Superior Court from 1958 to 1959 before becoming a private practice attorney licensed in the State of New Jersey from 1959 to 1969. Cowen also served as an Assistant county prosecutor for the Essex County, New Jersey Prosecutor's Office from 1969 to 1970 before joining the New Jersey Attorney General's Office as a deputy state attorney general from 1970 to 1973 before becoming the director of Ethics and Professional Services in the Administrative Office of the United States Courts for New Jersey from 1973 to 1978. Cowen served 11 years before assuming senior status on September 4, 1998. He resumed active status briefly in July 2022 for the purpose of resolving J. M. v. Summit City Board of Education.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Drake University, Rutgers School of Law–Newark
Positions held
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Also known as
Robert Cowen

People in Robert E. Cowen's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert E. Cowen's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Robert E. Cowen?

American judge

When was Robert E. Cowen born?

Robert E. Cowen was born on 4 September 1930 in Newark.

What is Robert E. Cowen's occupation?

Robert E. Cowen is a lawyer and judge.

What nationality is Robert E. Cowen?

Robert E. Cowen is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert E. Cowen

· Wikidata: Q7343157

· DBpedia: Robert Cowen

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert E. Cowen. https://biography.guide/robert-e-cowen/

MLA: "Robert E. Cowen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-e-cowen/.

Chicago: "Robert E. Cowen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-e-cowen/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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