Justice William H. Bowen was scheduled to be sworn in today at 1:00 p.m. in a ceremony in Little Rock.  The pride of Altheimer, Justice Bowen volunteered for military service at the age of 19, becoming a commissioned carrier pilot in the Naval Air Corps, and eventually completing his military service as a Lieutenant Commander of the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Justice Bowen received his J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law and a Masters of Law in taxation degree from New York University.  He subsequently worked for the U.S. Tax Court and the Department of Justice, before he and his wife, Connie, moved to Little Rock, where he became a partner in the law firm now known as Friday, Eldredge & Clark.  He has also served as President and CEO of Commercial National Bank, President and CEO of First Commercial National Bank, Board Chairman of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Board of Visitors, Chief of Staff for Governor Bill Clinton, and Dean of the UALR School of Law, now named the William H. Bowen School of Law.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Justice Bowen is “old school” in the true meaning of the phrase, which has nothing to do with chronological age.  He is always the first to step forward when his country, his state, or his community needs a volunteer.

Congratulations to Justice Bowen, I hope you find your service as Associate Justice a rewarding experience.