United States Attorney’s Office bids farewell to distinguished Shreveport Assistant U.S. Attorney

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced the retirement of Assistant U.S. Attorney James G. “Jim” Cowles Jr., who served in the Western District of Louisiana for more than 31 years.  Cowles was honored today at a retirement ceremony and reception held at the Tom Stagg U.S. Court House in Shreveport.

“We are losing a talented, dedicated lawyer and public servant,” Joseph stated. “Throughout his career, Jim has played an integral role in prosecuting cases in our office.  His years of service and dedication to the Department of Justice are a true testament of his commitment to justice and the citizens of this district.  Jim will be greatly missed, and we wish him the very best as he starts the next chapter of his life.  I am grateful for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the people of our community.”

Cowles began his federal service March 22, 1987 and retired on March 31, 2018. He joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia in 1987, prosecuting cases in the D.C. Superior Court and U.S. District Court. He assisted in creating the Sex Offense Unit of that office and received a Special Achievement Award in 1990 for the prosecution of a sex ring involving 11 child victims. 

In 1992, Cowles joined the Western District of Louisiana. He received the Director’s Award from Attorney General Janet Reno in 1996 for the prosecution and convictions of 14 members of the Bottoms Boyz, Shreveport’s notorious street gang. He was sent to the United Nations in 1998 as a prosecutor of war crimes for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague and received a Special Recognition Award from Attorney General Reno in 2001. Jim represented DOJ as resident legal advisor with the State Department, Kosovo, from 1999 to 2001, working in partnership with the United Nations in re-establishing the rule of law following the Balkan conflict. He received a Special Achievement Award from Attorney General Reno for this work in 2001.  Cowles has represented the Department of Justice at conferences throughout Europe, Armenia, and Turkmenistan and has taught for DOJ national training conferences. He has tried approximately 200 jury trials since 1980.

Cowles is a 1975 graduate of Georgetown University and the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 1979.