Q&A with Doug Kowalski, associate
Why did you become an attorney? Who or what inspired you? In high school, I was moved by the book To Kill a Mockingbird and the movie A Time to Kill. Both inspired me to want to fight for the marginalized and voiceless. I began my career as a public defender in Marion County and saw firsthand the need for adequate counsel.
Practice areas at KGR: Municipal, real estate, business formation and planning
Where are you originally from and where have you worked previously? I was born in South Bend and spent most of my formative years in the suburbs of Granger. I moved to Indianapolis after graduating from Wabash College. Prior to and while attending law school, I worked full-time at Teachers Credit Union helping people with their personal finances and financial goals. That experience taught me the value of being a trusted advisor, which has carried over into my legal career. I’ve held various positions within government including corporate counsel for the City of Indianapolis and most recently as the chief of staff for the State Board of Accounts.
What do you enjoy about your job and the law? I enjoy working as part of a team to collaborate and strategize to help move the ball forward. Whether it’s helping local governments with infrastructure or working with entrepreneurs to help create their vision, seeing positive change in our community is incredibly fulfilling on both a personal and professional level. One of my favorite things when working with local governments is seeing a project completed and the positive impact it has on the community. An added bonus is being able to walk around our local communities and tell my kids that “your dad helped make that happen.”
Favorite activities outside of work: Anything outdoors including mountain biking, hiking, camping, canoeing, snowboarding, skiing and just being with my family. With three young kids, you’ll find me at playgrounds, ballfields or teaching them how to mountain bike and skateboard.
Legal Situation Brief: Systemic Equity in Education