On Thursday, July 22, 2021, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Kwamé L. Rowe to the 6th Circuit Court of Oakland County, in southeast Michigan. Rowe served as a special assistant prosecuting attorney with the Trafficking Unit for Oakland County, working on felony cases involving human trafficking, complex narcotics, and homicide.
He previously served as a clerk under Judge Leo Bowman of the 6th Circuit Court. In addition to his J.D. from Cooley Law School, Rowe (Trimble Class, 2015) earned his B.A. from Michigan State University’s James Madison College. He is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, Straker Bar Association, and Wolverine Bar Association, and he serves as a volunteer at Pontiac High School, Rowe lives in Pontiac with his wife, Gabriel, and children.
"It seems like yesterday when, 16 years ago to practically this very day, our lives crossed for the first time. You, a skinny, tall, and gangly 11th grader at Pontiac Northern High School at the school to help your principal and teachers launch a new ninth grade academy, and me, a middle-aged law professor about to address more than 500 unruly incoming ninth graders on the importance of personal character to success – something my own 13-year-old son warned me ahead of time that kids his age don’t care about. To say I was nervous over whether I could reach or even control my audience is an understatement.
"But then, there you were – this grinning, adorable chatterbox who already knew he wanted to be a lawyer – assigned to assist and support me in whatever I needed in my presentation. And what I needed, it turned out, was you. In your upbeat, positive, and quite charming – may I add – presence, I relaxed. In your orbit, I somehow knew that everything was going to be okay. And it was. The program was a success.
That day, your sacrifice of your personal time on behalf of your school not only impacted the kids who were there, but it impacted my life as well. But little did I know that this was only the beginning of the ripple you would make – not just in my life but in the lives of so many others. It only took a matter of days when, because of you, an idea sparked in my head.
"Through Success on Saturdays, over the next three years the community came together to support the kids at your school in incredible ways, bringing forward programming on topics such as overcoming adversity, goal setting, choices and consequences, street law, gangs and violence, substance abuse, academic skill building and more.
"Because of you, Kwamé, we even had the Wayne County Circuit Court judges teaching all of us not just life lessons for success, but hip-hop line dancing! Because of you, two rival gangs at the high school agreed to see The Freedom Writers Diary together followed by discussion of the lessons of the film over Chinese food with some of them then joining SOS. Because of you, the Secretary of Education for the United States came to your high school and helped students grow through his own story of overcoming adversity and finding success.
"You even met Judge Bowman – one of your mentors, through the program, a program that wouldn’t have come to be had you not volunteered that hot summer day to help your teachers in their efforts to get the new ninth grade class off to a good start. Not to mention the annual book fairs that developed in Pontiac through SOS which resulted in hundreds of free books for the community each year and the prom dress drives, and the scholarships.
"I often think of that day, the April after we met – a day which happened to be my birthday, when I escorted you to the GM Headquarters in Detroit so that you could meet E. Christopher Johnson – the General Counsel for GM Legal Services North America – a very busy and important man. As you recall, he had agreed to meet you in consideration of whether GM might include you in its summer high school legal internship program which until then, was reserved for Detroit kids only. And for such an important occasion, your school gave you the day off.
"As I pulled up to your school to pick you up, there you were – literally bouncing on the curb, all dressed up with that big grin on your face – and off we went. And what a day it was. Of course, you chattered nonstop all the way down to Detroit – so excited for what lay ahead. But I don’t think either of us could have imagined what was truly in store. And honestly, I don’t think that Mr. Johnson knew what was about to hit him, either. What was supposed to be a “look-see” in your possible benefit, was about to change the trajectory of his life – just as you changed mine.
"Because here’s the thing, Kwamé: once again, if you hadn’t gone to Detroit that day – your path and Mr. Johnson’s path may never have crossed, and he wouldn’t have come into your orbit. Yes, you got the internship not to mention Mr. Johnson as your personal mentor – an incredible gesture on his part – but looked what happened for him. He joined up with the SOS program, went on to deliver the commencement speech at your high school graduation, and ended up leaving GM for the Cooley Law School faculty! I bet he never dreamed his own life would change because of our lunch that day. But it did.
"Kwamé, because of the person you are, so much good spawns from you. And probably more than you can possibly know. We are but a small piece of your life, that part that led to SOS. But did you know – and you may not because by then you may have gone on to MSU – that SOS spawned Cooley’s Angels – an initiative devoted to providing food, clothing, financial support and mentoring to Pontiac Northern students in critical need?
"One of the beneficiaries of Cooley’s Angels – there were many – was a 17-year-old girl suddenly in the position of raising her six younger siblings all on her own and with little resources. Your school was worried that under such a responsibility, she’d have to drop out and wouldn’t earn her degree. And, so, Cooley’s Angels stepped in and provided two straight years of support, including not just food, money, and clothing for her and her brothers and sisters, but later, ensuring her ability to attend college, mentoring her first year, and buying all her college textbooks on her behalf. If you hadn’t been there to help me that day at the ninth grade academy, Kwamé, there wouldn’t have been any Cooley’s Angels to help her. How many lives have been touched by you?
"I’m telling you all this because while you may think we all helped you, I don’t think I’m alone in believing that you helped us far more. Because of who you are, you helped us to be better people and to follow your example to put others first. And your optimism? It’s downright contagious! You led us to a better and more meaningful life – one that is richer and more fulfilling and more in keeping with humanity.
"Thank goodness that our governor made the right choice for Judge Bowman’s replacement. With you on the bench, even more people – especially those who are our most troubled and need the most help, will fall into your orbit and experience your care. And while just like us, they won’t know it right then, it’s bound to be a pivotal experience. Their life will change because of you. And in a very good way.
"Over 2400 years ago, Socrates described the essential qualities of a good judge. He said that it took four things: to hear courteously; to answer wisely; to consider soberly; and to decide impartially. Kwamé, not only do you have these abilities, in you, they are grounded in a kind heart and a deep compassion and respect for humankind. But even more importantly, these traits rest on a solid base of personal integrity making you even more influential and an even greater agent for positive change. On this next journey, continue to stay true to who you are. Use your power and influence well. Uplift others as you always have. And know this: we at Cooley are so proud of you. I am so proud of you. Congratulations, your honor."
“Statistically, speaking, I should not be standing before you,” Rowe told graduates. “Instead, as statistics would have it, I should be dead or in jail. I grew up in the inner city, I am a first-generation college student (yes, college student), I grew up poor, I was a teenage parent who would not allow my child, and now children, to grow up without a father; I faced gangs, and watched my family overcome violence and addiction. So how did I do it?
“You may ask yourself, how could he become a judge at such a young age? Aren’t judges usually older, and where is his gray hair? There are a few pointers that I have for your success as future attorneys. I guarantee you, no matter what area of law you practice, whether it is litigation or transactional, or you are a research attorney, these tips will help you be successful in your legal practice.
"This is going to sound ridiculous, but my first piece of advice is simple, it is the Golden Rule: Treat others how you want to be treated. Be nice. Be respectful. Smile. And never lose your temper. Day in and day out, I see attorneys that refuse to get along and are extremely mean toward each other. It does not help resolve the case. It ends in egos controlling the outcome and clients paying in the end. Although our system is an adversarial system, parties can still be respectful. This is not television. The bulldog attorney does not always win. In fact, a lot of times they hurt their clients.
"Our parents have instilled values in all of us. At a young age, we are taught the difference between right and wrong. Don’t let anyone change that. If you feel in your gut that something is wrong, then it is wrong.
"When I was a student at MSU, I went to my counselor and told him that I wanted to go to law school. As a student-parent, I did not have the greatest grades in undergrad. I worked two jobs and took care of my family. As a result, my grades suffered. I remember going into my academic counselor’s office and advising him that I wanted to go to law school, and he said no … you should do something else. I insisted, and he still said it was a bad idea. When I wanted to become a judge, I received a lot of feedback: well you’re too young, you should wait a few years, you need to do X and Y… If I had listened to my counselor or to the negative people, I would not be standing before you today.
"You have been told this throughout your law school career. Reputation means everything. As you will become aware, the legal community is a small community. Any area of law that you practice, you will encounter the same attorneys over and over again. Believe me, attorneys talk. Judges do too. When attorneys or judges are having lunch, they are talking about other attorneys and judges. Your reputation will follow you for your entire career. It is easy to build a good reputation, but it is almost impossible to overcome a bad reputation.
"As new attorneys, you are the low person on the totem-pole, whatever area of law you practice. Partners, judges, clients and opposing counsel will demand a lot of your time and energy. Sometimes you will find yourself tired and frustrated. Don’t forget to breathe. In reality, there are very few things that you can mess up. Most things can be fixed. If you make a mistake, don’t be afraid to fall on your sword. Falling on your sword builds character and it is an experience. Never take an experience for granted no matter how great or horrible the situation. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your family or other attorneys.
Never forget why you became an attorney.
"These are the steps I took to make it before you today. Hold on to these steps. Remember you are strong and can persevere through the lows and highs. You control the direction of this great country.
"As Justice Thurgood Marshall once said, ‘Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it.
Protect it. Pass it on.’”
Read the full story Understanding You Need to Work Hard Makes the Task Easy by Judge Kwamé Rowe’s HERE.