Ms. McDowell entered the legal field because of her passion to assist the underprivileged and under-represented.  Her experience covers a wide range of areas, such as family law, criminal law, consumer law, real estate law, public housing and public benefits issues, unemployment benefits and working to reach benefits.  She began her career as a legal services attorney and assisted low-income persons by providing access to justice and opportunities out of poverty.  Ms. McDowell also worked as an Assistant Public Defender and represented juveniles and adults with criminal matters.

In 2009, Ms. McDowell established her legal practice in the District of Columbia and her practice focuses on family law and consumer bankruptcy matters.  Her firm also handles probate law and criminal law matters.  She is barred in the State of Georgia and the District of Columbia and is admitted to practice in the following courts:

• District of Columbia Court of Appeals
• United States District Court for the District of Columbia
• United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia
• United States District Court for the District of Maryland
• United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
• Supreme Court of Georgia
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Ms. McDowell received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science from Spelman College, in 1999.  She obtained her Juris Doctorate and Masters of Public Administration from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta, Georgia.

In the community, Ms. McDowell volunteers with CASA of DC, where she assists the DC Family Court by serving as an advocate and mentor to children involved in the neglect and abuse system.  She also assists local community groups by feeding the homeless, participating in clothing drives and educational programs, and by providing free legal advice and representation to those in need.