Arthur Bowman | Detroit Criminal Lawyer

• Member, Michigan State Bar

Child custody battles tend to be the most emotional matters I handle. A recent case of mine involved a mother who wanted to take the child of the parties to live in southern Ohio from Southeast Michigan (a 4 hour drive) and a father who very much opposed such a move. I represented the father (although a slight majority of my clients are females) who was a very involved dad. He also had the more stable home life, (the parties were never married) more education and higher income. She had family in Ohio and proof that a job was waiting for her to relocate which would significantly increase her financial ability to care for the child. The Friend of the Court did a report and recommendation which came down in favor of the 'change of domicile' to Ohio. We had a trial (evidentiary hearing) to determine if mother could leave the state or if custody would be changed to father, as we had cross complained for such. More times than not, the judge simply agrees with the Friend of the Court recommendation but our judge, at my urging, ruled in our favor as the testimony tended to show that mother was rather unstable and the child's best interest rested with a change of custody to father. Dad getting custody of his child rather than having to drive 4 hours to visit is making a big difference!

Perseverance! I have been practicing law for 30 years! Experience counts for a lot in this business. Also, my fees tend to be a good bit below market rate. My clients are working people and with the decline of the middle class in this country over the period I have been in practice, I am and always have been sensitive to their ability to pay. Probably half of my new clients, or more, are referrals from prior satisfied customers.

Someone who is experienced in the particular area of the client's concern is quality number one. Then, someone who listens carefully to the client's recitation of the facts and explains the applicable law in a easy to understand way. Finally, a reasonable price. Try to find an attorney, like myself, who quotes a flat fee, rather than an hourly rate. That will normally save the client a bundle!

It can be very important. The most important 'local knowledge' is your lawyer knowing the judge before whom you have a case and enjoying a positive reputation in that particular forum. My practice is focused on Wayne County, Michigan where I know all the family court judges and have practiced for years. I have done approximately 500 divorces/child support/child custody matters in Wayne County over the past 20 years.

In a divorce or other family matter I have never quite understood why the average attorney demands that the client come into the office for an initial interview, even before lawyer and client have decided they want to work together. My approach has always been to talk to the person on the phone first, find out what's going on and quote them a price. It's only then that we decide if we want to work together on the client's case. In that free phone consultation I explain the law of the case, how long the case is likely to take, what 'wrinkles' I see as potential problem areas, quote a price and propose payment arrangements.

For family matters, there is nothing I need for the free phone consultation which the potential client does not know off the top of his/her head.

Few family attorneys have the experience and pedigree which I have. As previously indicated, I have practiced law for 30 years, the first 10 as a criminal defense attorney. I had an outstanding record convincing juries that there was a reasonable doubt concerning my client's guilt. That was great preparation for the rough and tumble world of family law. Family law involves a lot of negotiation and I learned the art of negotiation from one of the best, the late Detroit City Council President, Erma Henderson where I was her chief of staff in the early 80s. Additionally, I grew up hearing an attorney analyze things every day of my life. My dad was the late Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Arthur M. Bowman.

My main past time is the game of chess where I enjoy an 'expert' rating, which is less than a master but miles above a mere 'good' player. Obviously, chess showcases my strategic thinking, which is extremely important in handling contested family matters. I enjoy Facebook and am a current events junkie. I am a family man, having been married to the same wonderful woman for well over 3 decades. My children are adults and they have both made us proud. My wife and I enjoy the movies, going out to eat and the occasional musical or sports event. We both exercise and stay physically fit.

Yes, as mentioned above I worked for City Council President, Erma Henderson for 7 years and I see that as my first career. That got me deeply involved in community affairs. I ran for District Court Judge in 2012 (unsuccessfully). That put me back in touch with community organizations around the city. I am active with my church which is St. John's A.M.E., in River Rouge, MI. Daniel Reid, Esq. is the pastor. He was transferred there from Greater Quinn A.M..E., in Detroit, MI, Aug., 2013. I followed him. I was a trustee at Greater Quinn. Perhaps the thing I am most proud of is my work with the Gift of Life Michigan and the fact that I donated my 'spare' kidney to a dear friend, who would have died without it, April, 2011.