Lillian E. Cowan ’27

Cowan speaks of the challenges she faced as an early woman in law school, one of only 10 women in a first-year class of 200 men. Only six women graduated. “I remember those women who didn’t make it.”

Too young to take the bar exam in 1927, she had to wait two years. 

During the Depression, it was hard to find any job anywhere, and even harder as a woman to find a job in a law office. She worked for several law offices as a clerk, and enjoyed the learning opportunities. She also learned shorthand and worked for several lawyers as a stenographer, which came in handy years later. 

She loved practicing law because it was never boring.

In her later years, Cowan focused her practice on surrogate work, estate law and planning, and real estate work. She also did tax work, for which she said it was a challenge to keep up with changes.

She met wonderful women attorneys through the years and watched them develop. She is pleased with the growth in women lawyers’ organizations, networking groups and mutual aid. Women are now part of the parade, and not conspicuous anymore, she believes.

For years she helped organize the annual Susan B. Anthony Luncheon. She also was active in the Zonta Club of Kenmore.

Cowan was a third-generation American, of Irish and German descent. She was raised in the Riverside area. Her father worked in home construction and her mother ran a beauty shop at home. Cowan graduated from Lafayette High School and, at age 18, went directly to law school, taking social service classes at night. She was shocked to discover only 10 women in her first-year law class of 200. Cowan’s family paid for her education. She had no role models and no expectations other than to get a job and be a lawyer.

Classes were held downtown, and class sizes decreased as attendance dropped off. Of the 10 women initially in her class, five continued and one joined; six women graduated. Cowan developed friendships with other women lawyers through a national legal sorority that she joined in law school. She networked with other women who “talked the same language” at sorority conventions throughout the country.

She enjoyed her courses and earned high marks. Her favorite classes were those dealing with people. She disliked patents and other dry subjects. “If you want to be a lawyer, you should have an interest in people. ... This is not the profession for people who don’t like people.” She admired Dean Carlos Alden, who increased the visibility and reputation of the law school. After three years, Cowan graduated with a bachelor of law degree. She decided to stay in Buffalo. She knew that people did not accept women as lawyers, but she wanted to try. 

During the Depression, she first worked as a legal researcher, then as a welfare caseworker. She left casework to go to a new division created by the county to care for the elderly on welfare. She then took a civil service exam and worked as clerk in Buffalo City Court until she married in 1940. From then on, she practiced law from her home office so she could take care of her two children. She mostly practiced tax law and estate law. “Tax work is something everyone needs,” she said. “Know the field, laws, and stay current on changes in tax codes to serve clients.” She recommended a good accounting course.

Cowan never retired, although she would have done so if her husband had not passed away. She does not view her long, successful career as particularly spectacular. She was involved in several early legal organizations, service organizations, scholarships and community projects. Community participation offers a good return on the investment of time, she said, and she received some legal work through club memberships.

She received the Susan B. Anthony Award, presented to outstanding women, in the 1970s.