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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS
CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS
News Release - Southwestern University School of Law announces:
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR 2000
Donald G. Sowers '85, of Takakjian Sowers & Sitkoff LLP, was honored as the Southwestern University School of Law "Alumnus of the Year 2000" for his years of service to the legal community, non-profit community, and as President of both the Alumni Association and Student Bar Association and as Member of the University's Board of Trustees.
Mr. Sowers began his career in law in 1974 with the Burbank Police Department as a reserve Police Sergeant. In 1976, he received the "Mayor's Citation for Outstanding Service to the City of Burbank." He graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Academy awarded the "Highest Achievement in Academics." He joined the Santa Monica Police Department in 1977, as a Police Officer and Field Training Officer, rising to Communication's Center Supervisor. He holds an "Advanced P.O.S.T. Certificate." Awarded Life Saving Commendations in 1980 and 1982 he was promoted to Police Detective in 1983. He conducted criminal homicide traffic accident investigations and prepared cases for felony criminal trials. He served on the Santa Monica Police Officers' Association Board of Directors and in 1985 was honored as Outstanding Police Detective of the Year by SMPD and the Rotary Club of Santa Monica.
While with the police department, Mr. Sowers enrolled in Southwestern University School of Law and earned the Juris Doctorate degree. Despite working his way through law school during the evening program, he found time to serve as President of the Student Bar Assoc. and as Executive Lt. Governor of the American Bar Association/LSD. His accomplishments were recognized with the ABA award for the "Most Outstanding Student Bar Association in America," and a nomination as "Outstanding Young Man in America" by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 1985 he received recognition by "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities" and "Who's Who in American Law Schools."
In 1986, Mr. Sowers joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office as a Deputy District Attorney. He was first assigned to the Inglewood Superior Court handling juvenile felony adjudications, later moving to the Malibu Municipal Court assigned to felony preliminary hearings and misdemeanor trials. He was then promoted and assigned to the Santa Monica Branch where he handled felony trials.
In 1987, while President of the Santa Monica Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce), he received the Women's Equal Rights Legal Defense and Education Fund Award for "Improving the Status of Women." In 1989, Mr. Sowers formed the criminal defense firm of Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP, which has handled over 1500 criminal cases. Since 1988, he has been an Instructor at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Academy and a "Subject Matter Expert" for California's Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training in the areas of Laws of Arrest, Search and Seizure, Evidence, and Interrogation under Miranda. He is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the LA County Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section serving as Chairman in 1998.
For more than 15 years, Mr. Sowers has also been intensely involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, whose mission is to fulfill the wishes of children who are living with life-threatening illnesses. He has served as a Wish Granter and as Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Chapter and member of the United States of America National Board of Directors and as Vice-President of the International Board of Directors.
"Mr. Sowers' leadership in the legal and non-profit communities has earned him the respect and admiration of the public and his colleagues. He continues to inspire us as he provides an excellent role model for outstanding service to the community, to higher education and to the legal profession."
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