Phil Bowen set the standard at Conlin, McKenney & Philbrick during his 32 years with the firm. Drawing on the values learned in his boyhood hometown of Red Cloud, Nebraska and his training at the University of Michigan Law School, Phil's hard work, loyalty and skill brought many long standing clients to the firm. As attorney for Borders Group, Inc. he helped steer that company from its beginnings in Ann Arbor through its national expansion and corporate development, negotiating and overseeing hundreds of new store leases and acquisitions across the United States. Throughout his career he continued to grow the firm's regional Ann Arbor business law practice. Phil was voted by his peers as an AV Rated attorney and was annually listed in the publication "Best Lawyers in America." His good natured approach to the law and to his fellow lawyers earned him the bar association's Professionalism and Civility in the Practice of Law Award in 2006.
All the while Phil worked tirelessly and cheerfully in serving the community and helping the disadvantaged. He was founder, board member and past president of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, board member and president of Ronald McDonald House, and Trustee and past Chair of The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Phil served as a Trustee for the Buhr Foundation, Secretary of the Board of the Michigan Non-Profit Housing Corporation, and was a Board member of Washtenaw Technical Middle College. He served as Board member and past Chair of Glacier Hills Retirement Community in Ann Arbor, and volunteered for the Interfaith Hospitality Network and for the Hunger Coalition (Community Kitchen at the County Delonis Center.) At St. Clare's Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor, Phil was a member of the Vestry, Senior Warden, and held multiple leadership roles. In 2003, Phil received the Genesis of Ann Arbor Humanitarian Award.
Phil's final challenge was ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). The courage, grace, and acceptance he exhibited during those final 3 years remain a lasting memory and reminder of Phil and an emblem of his spirit.