A misdemeanor charge was filed last week against a Cape Girardeau lawyer and former judge for practicing law after he had been disbarred.

Bob Gowen Jr., 44, was disbarred Jan. 14 for professional misconduct, according to the Missouri Supreme Court order issued that day. His law license also was revoked.

Gowen served as Cape Girardeau Municipal Court judge from July 1998 until May 2001. He also was an assistant prosecutor twice: in Cape Girardeau County from 1990 to 1993 and then in Scott County from 1993 to 1994.

According to a written statement from John L. Volkerding, an investigator with the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's office, Gowen appeared March 29 on behalf of a client in the courtroom of Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp. Gowen earlier filed an entry-of-appearance form with the court stating that he would be that same client's attorney March 19, according to the prosecutor's office, along with an entry of appearance for another client March 11.

Volkerding's statement says Gowen has appeared in Cape Girardeau Municipal Court several times since Jan. 14.

Maridee Edwards, chief disciplinary counsel for the Missouri Supreme Court, said Gowen was notified Dec. 9 of a complaint filed against him and that there had been earlier mail communication with Gowen seeking a response. Edwards said her office has not yet received any response from Gowen.

Gowen was disbarred, she said, for not communicating with a client, for improperly withdrawing from a case, and for failing to respond to a request for information from the disciplinary office.

Gowen did not return phone messages Wednesday seeking comment. His attorney, Michael Maguire, said he filed a motion in Cape Girardeau Circuit Court last week for changes of both venue and judge on the illegal practicing case. Only after that is resolved can Gowen challenge his disbarment. Maguire said that a court date will be set once he and the prosecutor agree on a new judge and new venue.

Volkerding's statement indicates that when he spoke to Gowen on March 30, Gowen said he did not know he was disbarred, and Maguire was working on the matter for him.

Maguire said there are procedures Gowen can follow to have his law license reinstated. He can file a motion with the state Supreme Court. If the high court rules in favor of that motion, then the file will come back to Edwards' office for further investigation.

Gowen is scheduled to appear before Kamp April 15 on a charge of practicing law after being disbarred. If convicted he could be assessed a maximum fine of $100 plus court costs.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160