Michael W. Bowen

Michael serves as a strategic advisor and counselor to his clients, who range from private corporations to public companies in a variety of industries. He provides sage legal counsel on matters related to corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, tax and economic development incentives, employment, and MBE and WBE certification. Michael also has comprehensive experience in real estate development, community development projects, construction, and property acquisitions and financing.

Michael listens to his clients’ goals and provides thoughtful action plans to help achieve them by tapping into his unique background, formed by working as a business lawyer and government relations professional. He often leverages Calfee’s deep bench of subject matter experts and his connections within the Ohio government to find the right solutions.

Michael’s knowledge of the political process, which he honed as the campaign manager for the former Cleveland mayor, among other roles, allows him to advise clients at the federal, state, and local levels of government. He works extensively with administrators, agencies, and legislators to advance his clients’ needs across multiple industries, including gaming and hospitality, entrepreneurship, primary and higher education, health care, housing, and pharmaceuticals.

Michael stays connected to the community around him by getting involved in local organizations; notably, he is on the Board of Directors for both the Presidents’ Council and Engage! Cleveland, and he serves on the Board of Trustees for the Shaker Schools Foundation and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland.

Chambers USA recognized Michael as a USA-Nationwide ranked lawyer in Government Relations: State & Local (Up & Coming, 2024-2025). Clients providing feedback to Chambers USA stated, "Michael is very professional, knowledgeable and resourceful. He is making excellent inroads for us; whenever there is a major issue, Michael will be able to sort it out for us. Our business would not be as successful if it were not for Michael's ability to deliver results every time."

Michael was elected Partner in 2023 and serves on the firm's Inclusion & Diversity Committee.

Prior to joining Calfee, Michael served as a business litigator handling complex issues in breach of contract, class-action, employment, securities, and public law.

Michael earned his J.D. from the Cleveland State University College of Law in 2015, where he attained recognition on the Dean’s List and as a participant in the Cleveland State Law Review and the Fredrick Douglass Moot Court. He earned his B.A. from Miami University in 2009.

Honors & Recognitions

• Chambers USA, Government Relations: State & Local, USA-Nationwide, Up & Coming (2024-2025)
• The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Government Relations Practice (2021-2025)
• Ohio Super Lawyers, Ohio Rising Stars, Government Relations (2022-2025)

Education

J.D., Cleveland State University College of Law, 2015

B.A., Miami University, 2009

Experience

• Assisting a state-wide health organization in all government advocacy matters. The most important recent project involved assisting the client in advocating for funding in the state’s biennial operating budget bill. A significant portion of their annual funding is provided from state tax revenues. With our help, the client successfully advocated for an increase in the state funding proposed by the Governor and the removal of a number of earmarks to those funds that would have reduced direct funding. We also helped the client secure an amendment to the budget bill of a separate standalone bill containing important policy updates that will modernize functions and processes.
• Assisting a nonprofit healthcare provider in all government advocacy matters. A significant recent matter included our efforts with the client to secure an allocation of $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money from a city in Ohio to support a new multi-million-dollar health center. This effort included helping the client develop advocacy materials and obtaining and preparing the client for meetings with local elected officials. This effort was in connection with the client’s successful application for a competitive national grant, awarded in conjunction with a local women’s health clinic, to provide healthcare to clients and conduct research related to the reduction of infant mortality.
• Provided ongoing government relations services to an Ohio university for more than 20 years and currently serving as the client’s representative in the state in all government-related matters. We recently helped the client maintain several million dollars in direct state funding for the client’s medical school during state budget negotiations. We have closely monitored and advised the client on proposed state legislation regarding the teaching of “divisive concepts” and diversity in education and successfully helped ensure that the legislation will not apply to private, nonprofit universities.
• Serving as a trade coalition client’s representative in Ohio in all government-related matters. A key recent initiative was the introduction of House Bill 203 to set a time limit on when private owners must submit payment to general contractors, mirroring current law for public projects' “timely pay” legislation. As there is no law on this issue currently, private owners’ failure to pay general contractors in turn delays payment to our client, the subcontractors, in essence making subcontractors unwilling financiers of private construction projects. We have helped the client develop the legislation, secure legislative sponsors, prepare testimony and supporting materials, meet with legislators, and work with interested parties as the bill progresses through the General Assembly.
• Assisted a publicly traded telecommunication company in making connections in support of their government sales division. This is a relatively new business line for the client. We have helped the client understand state procurement processes, work with the Department of Administrative Services, which oversees state procurement, and connect potential government buyers. In the last year, the client has made successful sales to several Ohio departments.

Professional & Community

• The Presidents' Council, Board of Directors
• Engage! Cleveland, Board of Directors
• Shaker Schools Foundation, Board of Trustees
• Urban League of Greater Cleveland, Board of Trustees
• Ohio Lobbying Association, Member
• Judge John M. Manos Inn of Court, Associate
• Norman S. Minor Bar Association, Member
• Ohio State Bar Association, Member
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member
• Bluecoats Inc., Member