James H. Bownas

Attorney at Hrabcak & Company, L.P.A.

Biography

Jim Bownas has practiced for over 50 years with an emphasis on real estate transactions and business counseling. For seven years, Jim was the Vice President and General Counsel of Cardinal Realty Services, Inc., which he helped lead from reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code to a NYSE listed company and the third largest manager of multifamily real estate in the United States. Jim also has expertise in the areas of wills, trusts, and probate.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Jim is a frequent speaker at continuing education seminars for lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors. Jim is rated at the highest levels of legal ability and integrity by his peers and has been selected among the Best Lawyers in Central Ohio by Columbus Business First and Columbus CEO magazines. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Ohio, as well as the United States Tax Court and United States Supreme Court.

Credentials

Education
  • Harvard Law School, J.D., 1971
  • Xavier University, B.S., 1968, cum laude
Bar & Court Admissions
  • Supreme Court of Ohio
  • United States Tax Court
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • Columbus Bar Association – Member, Business Tax Committee Member, Real Estate Law Committee, Past Chair, Securities Law Committee
  • Ohio State Bar Association – Member, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section, Past Secretary, Banking, Commercial, and Bankruptcy Law Committee
  • Catholic Foundation Professional Advisors Group
  • Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, Certified Lemon Law Arbitrator
Community & Civic Involvement
  • Orange Township Business Association
  • Friends of the Library
  • Columbus Bar Foundation
  • Emerald City Players – Board of Directors
  • Prep Academy Schools – Board of Directors
  • Friends of the McCoy Center for the Arts
  • St. Francis DeSales High School Alumni Association – Planned Giving Committee Chair
  • Xavier University Alumni Association – Past President
  • Ohio Bar Foundation

Significant Cases

In re: Cardinal Industries, Inc.

United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Ohio

Bankruptcy No. 2-89 02779 involving substantively consolidated entities in a complex bankruptcy proceeding.

Publications & Presentations

  • "Effective Estate Planning for the Small Estate," National Business Institute
  • "Family Limited Partnerships and LLCs," National Business Institute
  • "Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts," National Business Institute
  • "Estate Planning Fundamentals," Better Investing National Convention
  • "Asset Protection Strategies," Central Ohio Estate Planning Council
  • "Taxes Affecting a Decedent's Estate," Ohio State Bar Association

Jim has presented extensively on estate planning, business structuring, and tax-related legal topics for professional audiences.

Articles, legal insights, and future attorney-authored content by James H. Bownas will appear here.

Practice Areas

This attorney regularly assists clients with matters involving:

Real Estate Law Business Law
25+ Years Experience • Trial-Ready Representation • Strategic Legal Judgment • Serving Greater Columbus

Need Legal Guidance?

Contact Hrabcak & Company to discuss your matter and determine the appropriate next step.

Contact Us