Chris Gowen

Christopher Gowen is a trial lawyer whose litigation experience includes more than 100 trials in over 15 jurisdictions. Mr. Gowen’s dedication to his clients has earned him an impressive trial record that includes verdicts for his clients in cases ranging from custody disputes to multi-national civil litigation. In Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Mr. Gowen is one of a handful of lawyers in the history of the Commonwealth to have a prenuptial agreement set aside for breach of contract when both parties were still alive.

Mr. Gowen’s practice focuses on family law, criminal defense, personal injury, fraud and consumer protection cases. His efforts on behalf of the lawyers who represented thousands of indigent villagers in Ecuador received national and international notoriety (click here for an NPR interview with Chris regarding this case). Chris is also an award-winning Adjunct Professor of Law at the American University Washington College of Law where he teaches Legal Ethics, Law Practice Management and Upper Level Seminars.

Mr. Gowen has represented numerous family law clients in the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland and prides himself on finding sensible and fair solutions for his clients that protect the best interest of the children and promote a harmonious divorce process.

Recognized for his years of experience and accomplishments, the District of Columbia Superior Court appointed Mr. Gowen to two panels for representing defendants under the Criminal Justice Act as well as respondents in criminal juvenile proceedings. He began his legal career as a public defender in Miami-Dade, Florida where he represented hundreds of adult and juvenile clients accused of committing crimes. Mr. Gowen left the Public Defender’s office to work for former President William Jefferson Clinton and then-Senator Hillary Clinton. Chris was a fact checker for President Clinton’s memoir, My Life. He also served as a traveling aid for President Clinton’s national and international trips. Chris finished his tenure with the Clintons by directing the advance operations for then-Senator Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential campaign.

Mr. Gowen later joined the American Bar Association as the Senior Staff Attorney for the Criminal Justice Section in Washington, DC. There he focused on directing grant projects, developing criminal justice policy, and coordinating amicus briefs for the United States Supreme Court on topics relating to reentry, juvenile law, and criminal defense. Mr. Gowen’s work has been published in law journals from Duke and Fordham Law Schools.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys sailing with his wife and daughter, playing golf and tennis and cheering for the Villanova Wildcats and Philadelphia Phillies.