James E. Bowers
James "Jim" Bowers is director, Compliance Risk Services and practices in the areas of compliance risk management, corporate governance, ethics, and antitrust and securities law. In this capacity, Jim provides legal advice related to the numerous compliance and ethical requirements mandated under a variety of state and federal laws, as well as regulations and compliance best practices.
Jim joined the firm after 25 years of legal and compliance experience at Aetna Inc. The last position he held at Aetna was vice president, corporate compliance, where Jim had broad responsibilities for compliance and ethics matters, including executive and board compliance counseling. Over the years, Jim also has functioned as senior antitrust and securities counsel. Prior to joining Aetna, Jim held a senior position in the Office of the General Counsel at the Securities and Exchange Commission and before that taught law at the University of South Carolina School of Law and Boston University School of Law.
Conducted compliance risk assessments and designed and implemented compliance programs for companies in multiple industries, including insurance, energy, transportation, and investment
Developed compliance governance charters and codes of conduct/ethics
Developed compliance and ethics training programs for directors, senior management, and employees
Implemented anti-money-laundering and anti-bribery controls to comply with the USA Patriot Act, Office of Foreign Assets Control rules, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Provided export control and anti-boycott advice
Provided general antitrust, securities, and privacy law advice, and developed compliance guidelines to manage risks identified
Designed and implemented record-management/document-retention processes
Conducted Medicare and Medicaid compliance program reviews, including risk assessment, policy review, and training evaluation and design
Advised pension fund on protecting assets through implementation of risk-based investment management contract requirements and targeted investment manager compliance disclosures
Distinguished Service Award, Connecticut Bar Foundation (2011)
Member of Visiting Committee for Harvard Law School (2011-2015)
Recognized by the Connecticut Law Tribune in the "Minorities and the Law: High Achievers" special section (2009 & 2011)
Lecturer, Yale Law School (1981-1982)
Lecturer, University of Connecticut School of Law (1981)
Attorney Fellow, Office of General Counsel, Securities and Exchange Commission (1977-1979)
Assistant professor, University of South Carolina School of Law (1973-1977)
Visiting professor, Boston University School of Law (1975)
Recipient of James Coolidge Carter Award for Distinguished Service from Harvard Law School, 2017
Board of Governors, Hartford Hospital
Executive Committee, Harvard Law School Association
Director, YMCA of Greater Hartford
Board of Visitors, University of Hartford Libraries
Trustee and Chair, Audit Committee, Connecticut Bar Foundation (1997-2009)
Trustee and Chair, Finance Committee, Connecticut Landmarks (2000-2008)
Trustee and Chair, Educational Policies Committee, St. Joseph College (2000-2006)
President, Renbrook School (1993-2003)
President, Greater Hartford Legal Assistance (1989-1997)