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Meet Jerry Bowman of Bowman & Chamberlain in Lower Highlands

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Bowman.

Jerry, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
From an early age, I have always been interested in exploring career opportunities in government, law, and politics. It was fitting that I ended up studying political science throughout college. When I graduated, I went to work for Congressman Peter Hoekstra in Washington, D.C. I believed I wanted to entrenched in the Nation’s capital, helping to change the fabric of America for the better. Unfortunately, it was through this experience that I realized I appreciated academia more than real-world politics. I, therefore, returned to Detroit to attend Wayne State University Graduate School. In two years, I received an M.A. in political science.

Shortly after graduating, I relocated to Aspen, Colorado, to give myself a much-needed break. During the three years I spent in Aspen, I ended up teaching political science as an adjunct professor for several semesters at Colorado Mountain Community College. It was not long, however, before I resumed my quest for productivity and purpose. In 2008, I returned to Michigan, this time to attend Michigan State University College of Law. I graduated early (two and a half years) and immediately returned to Colorado with the goal of opening a law practice.

It did not take long for me to appreciate the fact I made a wise decision. I started by practicing as an associate for a personal injury law firm. During the six month span, I worked as an associate. I was fortunate enough to work alongside another newer associate, Jennifer Chamberlain. When the firm dissolved, Jennifer and I decided to hang our own shingle. Looking back, there is no way I could have been as successful as I have been without Jennifer. We both had our strengths and weaknesses. Fortunately, we seemed to compliment each out well. We spent the first few years learning how to run a business while trying to practice law. Neither of us had mentors, so we relied on each other to learn about personal injury. We had our challenges. We had disagreements. We had times when we were not sure what we wanted to do. That was eight years ago.

I have long appreciated the idea that victims of personal injury require help. I understanding that being in a personal injury can be overwhelming and extremely stressful. I take my responsibility to the legal profession seriously and have dedicated so much of my time and effort to providing quality and competent legal representation. I am proud to say I have made a difference in how society treats victims of personal injury. I enjoy going to work every day because I see how my work results in something positive for people who experienced something so negative. I strive to make sure every client understands their inherent value. Every case is unique and every client deserves to be handled with respect and attention to detail. I took a unique path to get to the position I am. I can say with absolute conviction that I am a better lawyer as a result of the path I took.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I faced many obstacles throughout my journey. Law school teaches students about the black letter of the law. Students do not learn the pragmatic and practical side of lawyering. When I opened a new law firm, I realized our previous experience as associates did not instill much confidence in our abilities. When we worked as associates, the reality is the firm owner did not do much to help us learn the law. If anything, his explanations created more confusion than anything else. Notwithstanding the fact there was a senior attorney who was supposed to be mentoring us, the reality is he did not have a thorough understanding of personal injury law. Coupled with our limited experience running a business, it was not an easy transition. I made so many mistakes in the first few years. I simply continued moving forward and worked to be a more qualified attorney.

Please tell us about Bowman & Chamberlain.
After I understood the complexities of Colorado personal injury claims, my goal was to help personal injury victims move forward with their claims. Too often, potential clients presented to my office with complaints about their current situation, which sometimes included issues with their current lawyer. Some common areas of contention included lack of communication, lack of competence, issues with fees, and possible ethical issues. I believe clients have the right to quality service. Accordingly, I did not enter the business to be just another attorney. Rather, I was more interested in being myself with the added bonus of having a law degree and motivation to help those in need. I wanted to set myself apart from some of the more seasoned lawyers who were stuck in their ways. I made myself available at all hours of the day and night. In eight years, we have truly grown into a highly reputable personal injury law firm. Our clients have raved about their experiences with us. Client satisfaction is what I am most proud of as a company.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I honestly cannot say I would do anything differently. If I worked for a large law firm to start, I would probably still be burning the midnight oil. If I started a firm on my own, and without the assistance of my partner, I probably would have made significant accounting mistakes. My journey to this position has been difficult, but I would not have wanted it any other way. The obstacles and problems that developed over the years helped me become the lawyer I am today.

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