McGuireWoods partner Jason Cowley, chair of the firm’s Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department, has been inducted as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.
The invitation-only organization selects nominees who have demonstrated the highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism and collegiality. Cowley was inducted during the ACTL’s annual meeting March 8, 2025.
Cowley chairs McGuireWoods’ nationally recognized Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department and is a member of the firm’s Securities Enforcement & Regulatory Counseling Practice Group. He represents financial institutions, corporations and executives in criminal investigations and trials, regulatory enforcement proceedings and complex civil litigation. He also conducts internal investigations, undertakes transactional diligence and advises on compliance matters.
Before joining McGuireWoods Cowley served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York held key leadership positions, including co-chief of SDNY’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force and chief of SDNY’s Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Unit.
Founded in 1950, the ACTL has more than 5,700 members in the United States and Canada. Lawyers must have at least 15 years of trial experience to be considered for induction, and membership cannot exceed 1 percent of the total lawyer population in any state or province.
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected for inclusion in the American College of Trial Lawyers and to join highly accomplished McGuireWoods colleagues who are fellows in this prestigious organization,” Cowley said.
Cowley is one of six McGuireWoods partners who are ACTL fellows, joining Mark Anderson, Jonathan Blank, Jonathan Harmon, Michael Herring and Steven McCool.
In addition, Anderson and partner Samuel Tarry are members of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. The academy limits membership to 500 active trial lawyers from the United States, including prosecutors, plaintiffs’ lawyers, and criminal and civil defense lawyers. Invitations to join are reserved for those who demonstrate excellence throughout their careers in jury trials, bench trials and appellate practice.
“Jason is a brilliant trial lawyer who has distinguished himself in public service and private practice, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved honor,” said Noreen Kelly, McGuireWoods’ deputy managing partner for litigation. “We are proud that esteemed organizations like ACTL and IATL have recognized McGuireWoods litigators for excellence, leadership and commitment to the rule of law.”
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