Melvin S. McWilliams

Mr. McWilliams, as the managing shareholder of Melvin S. McWilliams, P.C., represents clients in a variety of areas with emphasis on general business, labor and employment, real estate, estate planning, personal injury matters, and the representation of public bodies, including charter schools. Mr. McWilliams was also for several years a shareholder with Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.

Prior to 1996, Mr. McWilliams served as Chief Assistant City Attorney for the City of Lansing where he was actively involved in the management of City of Lansing’s legal affairs, including supervision of legal staff and litigation involving employment and labor disputes, zoning and nuisance disputes, police liability claims, and construction disputes. Mr. McWilliams also drafted and reviewed proposed ordinances and contracts, authored numerous opinions, and represented the City Attorney at public and community meetings, serving as spokesperson on a variety of legal matters. He has also held the positions of Supervising Attorney with the UAW-GM Legal Services Plan and Assistant City Attorney with the City of Jackson ( Michigan).

Mr. McWilliams received a B.A. degree from Kalamazoo College in 1972 and a J.D. degree from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1976. He is admitted to all state courts of Michigan, the United States Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. McWilliams is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (its Labor and Employment, Public Corporations, and Real Estate Sections, and currently chairs a district panel for the Character and Fitness Committee).

He is a member of the National Bar Association (the Real Estate and Probate Law Section–was the Vice-Chair of the Section in 2003, and he is a member of its Commercial Law and Labor Law Sections). He is also a member of the American Bar Association (the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, Business Law, and Labor & Employment Law Sections); a member of the Ingham County Bar Association (former board member and member of its Civil Litigation, and Labor and Employment Law Sections), and a member of the Lansing Black Lawyers Association (a former past president and treasurer).

M. Alexis Bowen

Ms. Bowen is an associate attorney with Melvin S. McWilliams P.C. She represents clients in a variety of areas including family law, criminal law, bankruptcy, general business law, and selected personal matters. Prior to joining Melvin S. McWilliams P.C., Ms. Bowen practiced with the Law Offices of M. Alexis Bowen, PLC.

Ms. Bowen received a B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Flint in 2004 where she also minored in Technical Writing, and Women and Gender Studies. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2008 with a health law concentration.

While in undergraduate school, she was the recipient of several awards including the Maize and Blue Award, and UM-Flint’s Commitment to Service Award. She also volunteered over 600 hours with a variety of organizations, including the Genesee County Humane Society, The United Way of Flint Bridges to the Future Program, and the Salem Housing Commission. She was also honored by being selected for various leadership positions, including serving as the Vice President of Pi Sigma Alpha and as the President of Voices for Women on Campus.

Likewise, while in law school, she was recognized for excellence when she received the Jurisprudence Achievement Award in Advanced Legal Research, was the recipient of the John Davis Scholarship, and was the recipient of the Warner Norcross and Judd Scholarship. Ms. Bowen also served as the Wolverine Student Bar/Black Law Students Association President, and was an editor for the Journal of Medicine and Law.

Ms. Bowen is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan. She is also a member of the American Bar Association She currently serves as the Vice President of the Lansing Black Lawyers Association, and is a member of the Genesee County Bar Association. She continues her volunteer activities by serving as a mentor to incoming law students in Lansing.