In the News
12/19/2010

Becker County Record, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
DL-Online.com

Following in Dad's Footsteps
Pippi Mayfield - 12/20/2010


Caulfield Studio, Stowman Law Office, Francis Construction, Bristlin and Son Construction, Tomlinson and Son, Zorbaz, Norbys the possibilities are endless. Children following in their parents footsteps in their chosen career path. For some, it was an easy decision. For others, it was a decision they fought at first but in time knew their calling was in the same line of work.

DAVID AND JEFF STOWMAN. Jeff Stowman said he went into law because I couldnt make it as a doctor. Only half joking, he was attending the University of Kansas getting a masters degree in exercise physiology, and I didnt like it. Instead, he knew his strong points lay in the study of law. I should have faced the facts early on that I should have gone to law school. While David never encouraged or discouraged his son from practicing law, he let Jeff know he was always welcome to return to Detroit Lakes and join his law firm. After law school, Jeff said he made a conscious decision to practice law in Kansas before returning home. He did so for three years before joining his father. The timing was good, David said of Jeff joining his law firm. David was just getting involved in the Minnesota Bar Association Board, which took away time from the office. Jeff was able to come in and take over. There was an instant trust and respect for each other, Jeff said of going to work for his father. David added that another benefit of working together is that there is no competition between the two as there can be between attorneys at law firms. Most fathers like to see their children succeed, he said. It creates a culture of cooperation. The pitfalls, though few, might revolve around the fact that to be a lawyer, one must be strong-willed. Giving up control has been painfully agonizing, David said with a laugh. David might say Ive learned to listen and I might say hes learned to listen, Jeff added. And that shows the difference in roles at the office and away from the office. Jeff easily calls his father David, whereas some kids may never have called their fathers anything but Dad. Its also the publics perception of Jeff going to work for his father. I wear a tie every day so Im not just Daves kid, he said with a laugh. To a lot of people around town, Im going to be Daves kid, so I better at least look the part. Another perk of working with family, on lunch breaks, theyve gone waterskiing or jogging together. And, David adds, he gets to see Jeffs kids more often because they come to the office to see their dad. David said that watching his own children grow, its good to see them develop, whether they are learning to walk or 40 years old and whether they are practicing law next to him or succeeding as doctors and an engineer like his other three children. I could retire but I dont want to. Its a satisfying and rewarding job, and we both have the same long-term thinking, David said. The Stowman Law Firm is truly a family business with Davids wife, Judy, working in the front office, too.