Jimarielle (Mari) Bowie is a criminal defense attorney at The Nieves Law Firm. As a Bay Area native, Mari has a personal connection to those engulfed in the criminal justice system and has worked as an activist, protestor, and organizer around systemic injustices. Mari is driven by a fundamental belief that one action is not indicative of your character and those charged with crimes should be treated in a holistic and restorative way. She is deeply committed to fighting injustices within the criminal justice system by representing individuals caught up in our justice system as well as educating the public on complex legal issues related to their rights.

Mari received her bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, where she graduated with honors at the age of 20 after having a baby. She went on to attend Charleston School of Law, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude before passing the California Bar Exam, all while pregnant with her second child. She was also awarded multiple Cali Excellence for the Future Awards while in law school, which are given to the highest scoring student in each law school class. Prior to joining The Nieves Law Firm, Mari gained experience in the legal field while working for Charleston Legal Access (a nonprofit in South Carolina) and the Solano County Public Defender’s Office.

Mari knew from a young age she wanted to be a criminal defense attorney and that dedication has never waivered. Having been a person that was targeted and had to deal with the complex nature of our criminal justice system after being arrested while organizing a protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Mari knows the personal toll the system has on individuals and what the criminal process looks like from both sides. Mari is also fluent in Spanish and has experience translating for Spanish-speaking clients.

In her free time, she dedicates herself to fighting the structural injustice within the criminal justice system to ensure her clients can enter the courtroom on a better and more equal playing field. When she is not spending her spare time fighting for people’s constitutional rights, she enjoys visiting a variety of local Bay Area restaurants. A self proclaimed foodie, Mari considers the Rooftop Restaurant and Bar in Walnut Creek her favorite place to eat.