A native of the capital city and second-generation Frankfort attorney, Joe Bowman has extensive litigation experience with state government agencies. Since 2004, Joe has participated in nearly 100 government agency hearings and appeals before the Kentucky Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, Franklin Circuit Court, and multiple state agencies and boards. He represents a variety of clients impacted by agency decisions, including small business owners, licensed professional practitioners, and government employees.

Joe also provides federal and state criminal defense for both felony and misdemeanor crimes, including homicide, assault, theft, robbery, fraud, drug trafficking, sex abuse, flagrant non-support, DUI, AI, traffic citations and expungement. He is a skilled appellate advocate challenging criminal convictions and sentences, civil judgments, will contests, government agency findings, and family law outcomes.

Upon completion of a one-year clerkship with Franklin Circuit Court Judge Roger Crittenden (Ret.), Joe began assisting clients as a private practice attorney with Johnson True and Guarnieri, LLP, Johnson Bearse, LLP, and later Johnson Bowman Branco & Brennan, LLP and served as a prosecuting attorney for Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), and managing attorney for Kentucky Retirement Systems (now KPPA).  

Joe has been recognized by the Kentucky Bar Association for his pro bono legal work. He has recently been volunteering time to families with a disabled adult child or elderly parent needing guardianship and has also provided pro bono assistance to the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at strengthening family relationships impacted by incarceration.

Capabilities, Successes, and Assignments:

• Represents clients at all stages of complex federal and state criminal indictments and appeals.
• Assists clients with state regulatory matters including employee disciplinary appeals, small business liquor licensure, Medicaid provider licensure, and professional veterinary licensure.
• Advises governing boards on bylaws, fiduciary responsibilities, regulatory requirements, and open meetings compliance.
• Successfully represented client in dismissal of state court felony theft indictment.
• Successfully represented grandparents in child visitation matter obtaining a favorable, unanimous 7-0 decision from the Kentucky Supreme Court.
• Successfully represented father vacating prior adoption of biological child without knowledge or consent.
• Appointed as a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
• Served as managing attorney and special detail general counsel for KRS (now KPPA).
• Served as Board Counsel for County Employees Retirement System.
• Appellate Case Work:
  • Algeo v. Estate of Algeo, 2021-CA-1027 (Ky. App. 2023).
  • Blackaby v. Barnes, 614 S.W.3d 897 (Ky. 2021).
  • KRS v. Carson, 495 S.W.3d 135 (Ky. 2016).
  • Ferrell v. KRS, 2015-CA-558 (Ky. App. 2015).
  • Bare v. KRS, 2015-CA-409 (Ky. App. 2015).
  • Robinson v. KRS, 2014-CA-152 (Ky. App. 2014).
  • Tucker v. KRS, 2013-CA-706 (Ky. App. 2013).
  • Brooks v. KRS, 2013-CA-467 (Ky. App. 2013).
  • KRS v. Grant, 2011-CA-327 (Ky. App. 2011).
  • Perdue v. Com., 2007-CA-1144 (Ky. App. 2007).
  • Alexander v. Com., 220 S.W.3d 704 (Ky. App. 2007).

Primary Practice

Additional Practice Experience

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