Julia McDowell, a legal prodigy, zoomed through her BA in Legal Studies at UC Berkeley in a mere two and a half years, a feat usually taking four. By 2007, she'd clinched a Juris Doctorate from UC Davis, also securing a Public Interest Law Certificate due to her extensive work with children facing severe emotional challenges. Her time at UC Davis was marked by active involvement in various advocacy and policy groups, not to mention her athletic prowess on the Women’s Tennis Team, Division I.

Embarking on her legal career, McDowell ascended the ranks at Hoover ♦ Krepelka, LLP, starting as an Associate Attorney in 2008, advancing to Senior Associate by 2012, and achieving Senior Counsel status in 2016 after becoming a Certified Family Law Specialist, a recognition only 10% of family law attorneys in California achieve. Her trajectory didn’t stop there; she became Managing Counsel in 2018, guiding new attorneys, and by March 2020, she was named Partner.

In her role as Partner, McDowell has navigated the intricacies of family law, managing cases ranging from straightforward to highly complex, involving custody battles, property divisions, and domestic violence issues, among others. Her courtroom experience is extensive, with some trials stretching over weeks. Her expertise extends to collaborating with specialists across medical, forensic, and psychological fields to bolster case strategies.

Before her tenure at Hoover ♦ Krepelka, LLP, McDowell honed her skills representing children within the dependency system at Sacramento Child Advocates. This role enriched her understanding of child custody and domestic violence, providing her with insights into the impact of violence and substance abuse on families.

Outside the courtroom, McDowell contributes her knowledge to legal professionals and has been active in educating women navigating divorce. Her linguistic skills include fluency in Russian. Away from work, she is an avid climber, traveler, and reader. Together with her husband, she has traversed all seven continents, including Antarctica, and they run a non-profit in Malawi focusing on education, managing preschools and sponsoring high school students.

Her legal acumen is recognized widely, with accolades from the Silicon Valley Business Journal and listings among Northern California’s top family law attorneys. Her legal journey, marked by rapid ascension and broadened by her philanthropic and personal pursuits, paints the picture of a dynamic individual reshaping the landscape of family law while forging paths in global education and advocacy.