Ethnic GEM: Alan Bowie
Title & Company: Senior Counsel, Simon & Schuster
State: New Haven, CT
Submitted by Wesley Webb, Contributing Writer
Alan H. Bowie, Jr, is currently a strategic advisor and Senior Counsel for Simon & Schuster, where his expertise extends across commercial, litigation, and labor and employment law. Prior to joining Simon & Schuster, Alan studied at the prestigious HBCU, Howard University in Washington D.C, Wake Forest Law School in North Carolina, in addition, served as a trusted advisor in the legal department of a global consumer product company.
“I’ve always looked to model myself after people who have excelled at something I am trying to accomplish,” Bowie states and credits his uncle James T. Giles, who was the first Black partner for an AM Law 100 firm and served as a federal trial court judge on the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Bowie contributes attending the ceremony which installed Judge Giles as Chief Judge, as inspiring and solidifying his decision to pursue a career in the law.
Bowie belongs to several state, local and national bar associations including the National Employment Law Council, George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, and the Connecticut and American Bar Associations. Alan holds several positions of leadership as a Board Member for the Neighborhood Music School, the United Way of Greater New Haven, and ConnCORP, and is an active member of the Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ.
The Connecticut native makes it a point to regularly seek volunteer opportunities and roles that support community and arts development in New Haven. In addition to his advocacy and community development work, Bowie is recognized for his extensive legal career. The HBCU alum has been awarded with the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association Rising Leader Award and has been recognized by the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers publications. For leisure, Alan is an avid reader, musician, and enjoys cooking. Over the next 5 years, Alan hopes to remain happy and healthy. Professionally, Alan envisions the future of his career to, “obtain roles of increasing responsibility that pique my intellectual curiosity and challenge me to learn new areas of the law while helping the business achieve its goals.”