Mary Bowen

Mary is an associate counsel for the Attorney Grievance Commission (AGC) where she investigates and prosecutes attorney misconduct. Prior to joining the AGC, Mary was an assistant city attorney for the City of Lansing for over 3.5 years. She prosecuted ordinance violations, drafted and reviewed contracts, prepared legal opinions, handled assigned litigation and advised various City departments, boards and commissions. Before transitioning into a career in public service, Mary was a sole practitioner for the Law Office of M. Alexis Bowen, PLC. Her practice areas included criminal law and civil mediation. Early in her legal career, Mary worked for Melvin S. McWilliam P.C., a general practice firm located in downtown Lansing.

Mary is from Flint, Michigan. She received her Juris Doctor and Health Law Concentration from Michigan State University College of Law in May 2008. She is a 2004 graduate of the University of Michigan-Flint; where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and double minors in Technical Writing and Women and Gender Studies.

Mary obtained her license to practice law in Michigan in November 2008 and she became a certified facilitative civil mediator in 2018. She is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States District Court – Eastern District of Michigan and the United States District Court -Western District of Michigan. Mary is a member of the Character and Fitness District I Committee and the Professional Ethics Committee.

Mary currently serves on the Ingham County Bar Association (ICBA) Board of Directors where she is the ICBA board liaison for the BRIEFS publication. She is a past ICBA Young Lawyers Section (ICBA-YLS) executive board member, where she co-organized the annual Horn of Plenty fundraiser and personal needs drive, and volunteer projects with Haven House and Advent House. Mary is a member of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (BWLAM), the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan – Mid-Michigan Region (WLAM Mid-Michigan) and a past president of the Davis Dunnings Bar Association (DDBA).

In October 2020, Michigan Lawyers Weekly honored Mary as one of 30 women selected for the 2020 Women in the Law Class. In June 2020, WLAM Mid-Michigan recognized Mary as one of the many Women Lawyer Stars.

Mary is actively involved in the Greater Lansing community. She volunteers with the Capital Area United Way, serves as a scoring judge for the Michigan Mock Trial Tournament hosted by the Michigan Center for Civic Education, and participates in the March is Reading Month program as a community reader for participating Waverly Community Schools. She also mentors law students and pre-law students interested in the practice of law. Additionally, Mary is a contributing author for “Teenage Girls: The Guide for Health, Wellness & Self Esteem.”