Chris Gowen

Chris Gowen

4.2
Rating: 9.4

Licensed for 20 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Washington, DC
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family, Wills & Living Wills, Consumer Protection

1015 15th NW., Suite 1110, Washington, DC

About Chris

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

The Gowen Group attorneys take a unique and comprehensive approach to criminal law cases. We make a point of learning about our client’s life and their goals, so that a client receives the most effective representation. The Gowen Group recognizes that even a satisfactory result on a criminal case may have a lasting negative impact on a client if the attorney does not understand the client’s background.

21 years | 150 cases

40%
Family 40%

Our attorneys understand how difficult dealing with a family law matter can be for all parties involved. Therefore, we work expeditiously to protect you, your assets, your children and your needs. We understand how important is for our clients to move on with their lives without getting stuck in years of litigation. Our attorneys dedicate themselves to working both promptly and thoroughly in order to achieve a successful outcome at a reasonable fee

17 years | 12 cases

40%
Consumer Protection 10%

Gowen Group attorneys are committed to the idea that consumers are entitled to fairness and safety in their purchase and use of all products and services in the marketplace. An unwitting consumer can fall victim to a scam in contexts ranging from relatively small retail store purchases to more complex financial contracts.

15 years | 4 cases

10%
Wills and Living Wills 10%

The financial security that is created for your family by having a will prepared can be invaluable. The creation of will is in most instances a simple and straight forward process and therefore unless your last name is Rockefeller or Vanderbilt the process should be affordable. The Gowen Group attorneys will ensure that your family is protected and that your wishes are carried out for a reasonable fee.

15 years | 5 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in District of Columbia for 15 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 2010

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Florida for 20 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2005

Membership Lapsed

No misconduct found

Location

The Gowen Group

1015 15th NW., Suite 1110, Washington, DC, 20005

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Chris Gowen's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

11 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (11) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | 5 stars

Posted by John | May 05, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Amazing Lawyer

You won’t get better than Chris Gowen. Period. Chris was there for me throughout my divorce, providing both excellent legal guidance and emotional support during the hardest time of my life. He understands what you’re going through and knows how to support you. Chris is prompt to respond to any qu...estions, and proactive in addressing issues. He understands the law and how the courts work. He will work with you to make a plan for YOUR situation and then execute it with eagerness. I have no doubt that I have custody of my kids today because of Chris Gowen. I kept my house because of him. He literally saved me tens of thousands of dollars by questioning my wife’s pension disclosure. Chris gives the extra effort! Thank you so much Chris for all you do!

Posted by Jordan | October 03, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Insurance

Car Accident Settlement

I have consulted with Chris Gowen privately for many years about various legal matters and had the opportunity to hire Chris and his firm to handle an Auto Insurance Settlement negotiation for my family. Chris and his team were detailed in the fact-finding process and utilized their experience in re...presenting and following the right methods for our case to push towards a Settlement amount. This was no short process, as the insurance company dragged it out over 12 months but we reached a satisfactory agreement and I relied on Chris and his team to professionally handle all of the communications unless we were needed to make a decision. I recommend them whole-heartedly, Chris is a very passionately attorney.

Posted by Stephanie | August 18, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Highly recommended!

I wish there were more than 5 stars for Chris. The darkest time of my life was going through a 10 year custody battle with an evil ex-husband, & I could not have gone through it without Chris (physically, emotionally, mentally, or financially). He made sure I knew that he would fight his hardest for ...me & he did just that. He stood right by my side, put his heart & soul into my case & myself & my children, did what he does best in the court room & came out on top every time. My family & I will be forever grateful. He also knew the debt I incurred from this long legal fight &, more than generously, kept my bills as low as he could. I highly recommend Chris!

Posted by Laura Mcgowan Weishew | June 02, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Equitable distribution High Conflict Divorce

Chris did a Wonderful job of stepping after my excellent Family attorney could not close my Divorce settlement. Chris came aboard and neutralize a highly emotion situation . I only needed Chris once in Court but he kept going back in until I felt secure with my Settlement. Afterwards his sta...ff was kind and courteous concerning helping me stay in the loop with paperwork since I am also a Disabled Client . My bill was not outlandish but clear and well documented . Chris was the pair of clear eyes sand calmness needed to Help me make a Good Settlement. His advice was Key in help my Family find a Real Peace .

Posted by anonymous | March 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Fantastic Family Lawyer

Any divorce with children is difficult but I couldn't imagine doing this without Chris Gowen. He kept me educated on the process from the beginning and with each step. He protected my interests as well as my children's. His staff was always kind, accurate and timely. I hope to never need him again,... but he will be my first call shall the situation arise

See All Client Reviews

Chris Gowen's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Chris
Kendall Brady headshot
Kendall Brady

Family lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Chris is an aggressive, passionate, and exemplary lawyer who strives to get the best results for his clients."

Louis Kamara headshot
Louis Kamara

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Mr. Gowen without hesitation. He gets great results for his clients. He is honest and trustworthy."

Mark M Rollins headshot
Mark Rollins

DUI and DWI lawyer | Sep 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I took the IACP/NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Test with Mr. Gowen. Good lawyer, highly recommend."

Joseph Anthony Scrofano headshot
Joseph Scrofano

Criminal defense lawyer | May 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chris is an experienced, first class litigator. I have witnessed him in court a number of times. He fights for his clients with zeal and gets excellent results. I fully endorse hims for anyone in need of a top notch, experienced criminal lawyer."

Arinderjit Dhali headshot
Arinderjit Dhali

Family lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Having known Chris for a number of years now, he is an excellent advocate for his clients and also a very humble and genuine human being. He is a joy to work with!"

David Hohvannes Akulian headshot
David Akulian

Family lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Chris Gowen is an excellent family law attorney. As someone who grew up with lawyers who practiced family law, I can attest that Mr. Gowen definitely has the skills and ability to effectively represent clients in these difficult cases. I recommend Mr. Gowen to anyone seeking a family law attorney."

Gregory Iver Bertelsen headshot
Gregory Bertelsen

General practice lawyer | Apr 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Chris professionally for over five years and have witnessed firsthand his commitment to the law and his clients. Chris is a selfless advocator whose primary concern in any matter is the wellbeing of his clients - not just in the immediate legal proceeding, but in life after all issues have been resolved. It is no coincidence that Chris initiates relationships with most of his clients through referrals, and he is the first attorney I have people contact when they have a legal issues."

Thomas L. Gowen Jr. headshot
Thomas Gowen

Litigation lawyer | Apr 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Chris has taken his background in criminal defense and works hard for his clients whether in the criminal, personal injury or family law arenas."

William John Phelan IV headshot
William Phelan

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 04

Relationship: Co-worker

"Passion and attention to details is what Chris offers. He will make sure he is zealously representing your best interest with third parties and the legal system."

View All Endorsements
Joseph Anthony Scrofano headshot
Joseph Scrofano

Criminal defense lawyer

William John Phelan IV headshot
William Phelan

Social Security & Disability lawyer

Daniel Adam Gross headshot
Daniel Gross

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Campise headshot
Michael Campise

Consumer protection lawyer

David Hohvannes Akulian headshot
David Akulian

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.4 (Superb)

Honors

2013

Outstanding Teaching in Adjunct Apointment, American University

2012

Adjunct Professor of the Year, American University Washington College of Law

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Adjunct Professor, American University, Washington College Of Law

2010 - Present

Partner, Gowen Group Law Offices

2008 - 2011

Senior Staff Attorney (Criminal Justice), The American Bar Association

2005 - 2007

Assistant Public Defender, Miami Dade Public Defenders Office

Education

2005

University of Miami School of Law

Law

2000

Villanova University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2011

Padilla and the Future of the Defense Function The Effects of Padilla, Beyond Immigration

2011

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Annual Meeting The New Judicial Colloquy

2011

Duke Forum for Law and Social Change Collateral Consequnces

2010

National Indigent Defense Symposium Privatization of Punishmnet

2010

Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution 2010 Annual Conference Criminal Mediation for Juveniles

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution