Tom Heywood
Managing Partner , Bowles Rice LLP
Photo by Rick Lee .
SAMANTHA CART
AS THE MANAGING PARTNER of Bowles Rice LLP , Tom Heywood is dedicated to ensuring the success of his firm , his employees and his community .
His desire to use his talents to better the lives of others has deep roots . After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1982 , Heywood took a federal clerkship in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals for the Honorable Judge John Field Jr ., during which he was able to observe 16 appellate arguments every week .
“ That experience really helped me understand effective advocacy ,” he says . “ I would spend three weeks at our office in Charleston reading briefs in advance of arguments and writing selected opinions assigned by Judge Field following arguments , then one week a month in Richmond observing appellate arguments . That experience was like a fourth year of law school , and I learned a lot .”
Following the clerkship , Heywood joined Bowles Rice and served as an apprentice to Managing Partner Paul Bowles .
“ Paul taught me the importance of being a good listener , active civic involvement and giving back ,” he says . “ To this day , I strive to live up to the standard of excellence he set for all of us at Bowles Rice .”
In 1989 , Heywood left the firm to serve as general counsel and later chief of staff to West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton .
“ The chance to work for Governor Caperton was very special ,” he says . “ Gaston and his company , McDonough Caperton , were clients of our firm , and I had the opportunity early on to serve as their primary relationship partner . I knew from my work with him that he was a man of truly remarkable abilities , intelligences , integrity and passion for doing what is right and important . My horizons were dramatically expanded while working in the governor ’ s office . I came to learn of the many talented and special people working in government , and I developed a keen appreciation for what they do every day and for the value and importance of public service . From Gaston himself , I learned about leadership and character as well as the importance of enthusiasm , positive energy and building and working with teams .”
In 1993 , Heywood returned to Bowles Rice with a wealth of knowledge and experience gleaned from his professional mentors . In 2008 , he was named the firm ’ s managing partner , and he has applied his passion for giving back to upholding and building upon a dynamic of teamwork and service ever since .
In his responsibility for providing leadership and direction for the firm , Heywood works to be present in the lives of all 200 members of the Bowles Rice team , whether that is by physically visiting all seven offices with some frequency or by engaging with the lawyers and staff in social and professional settings .
“ My favorite thing about being managing partner is the chance to work with so many wonderful and talented people ,” he says . “ I have learned to look for ways to create growth paths and opportunities for others , which has been fun and rewarding . I have always found that by enabling and empowering others , great things can be accomplished , and I have been reinforced in my conviction about this responsibility of leadership in my work as managing partner . The accomplishments of my team members never cease to amaze me .”
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE