Like many of us, Bob Owen’s professional road was largely a question mark when he was young. “The minister of my childhood church tried to convince me to become a minister as well, and I gave it serious consideration.”

Bob eventually looked beyond the pulpit. He instead channeled his talents towards a career in law, becoming a nationally recognized commercial litigator with a knack for dispute resolution. He muses on his decision: “Having chosen the path I am on now, I have tried to pursue a ministry of sorts, nurturing decency in the world (when my own failings don’t get in the way).”

Humbleness aside, Bob’s success has as much to do with his prowess as a trial attorney and expertise in the field of e-discovery, as it does with his assets as a human being: a strong moral compass, desire to serve the public good, and an affable disposition. It’s with these qualities that Bob has climbed the legal ranks, achieving the position of Managing Partner for the New York office of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP (Sutherland), an internationally renowned firm with more than 400 attorneys. This video of Bob and his team accepting the ALS Ice-Bucket Challenge is a prime example of the work culture he promotes.

Eight years ago, Bob’s skills as a litigator were put to the test in a heart-wrenching pro bono matter, with far-reaching consequences on the medical, political, and legal fronts. It was in 2006 that Bob was first introduced to Joe Bruce. Earlier that year, Joe’s wife, Amy Bruce, was tragically murdered by their son, Will, after Will was discharged from a psychiatric hospital in Maine without treatment for his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Their story was featured in a page one article in the Wall Street Journal and more recently it was the subject of an in-depth report on CNN looking at America’s “mental health crisis.”

In 2007, Bob (a partner with Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. at the time) prepared Joe Bruce to make a compelling case before the Maine Legislature. According to the WSJ story: “Despite advocates' objections, Joe Bruce – with the help of his pro-bono attorney, Robert Owen – successfully lobbied the Maine legislature to pass three bills. One gives mental-health professionals greater leeway to disclose patient information to those who may be affected by that person's conduct. Another makes it easier to medicate involuntarily committed patients.

More recently, Bob and Sutherland Partner Saren Goldner helped Joe establish the nonprofit coalition Treatment Before Tragedy, advocating for better treatment, services, science and a cure for individuals and families impacted by serious mental illness. Then, in May of 2013, Bob prepared Joe to speak before Congress, which resulted in Pennsylvania Congressman Tim Murphy proposing House Bill H.R.3717 – Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2013. The bill is currently pending before Congress.

I asked Bob what he “gets from giving.” He said: “The rich sense that my skills, experience, and resourcefulness are helping others to make the most of their own gifts. The help I have given to Joe Bruce is a good example. His successes in achieving reform in Maine and in spurring really excellent efforts at reform at the federal level are his accomplishments, not mine. But I am sure that my assistance made it possible for him to succeed.”

Bob may not have become a minister, but it’s clear that he has made a profound difference from a different kind of pulpit.

This profile was championed (i.e., sponsored) by Infinite Spada, a global professional services communications consultancy. Working with Talking GOOD, Infinite Spada invited its extensive client base to submit names of changemakers for this one spot. After reviewing a host of deserving individuals, we selected Bob. Thanks to the team at Infinite Spada for investing in Public Recognition.

Organizational Links:

• Robert Owen Bio
• Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
• Treatment Before Tragedy