Ches McDowell is a lobbyist who represents a wide variety of clients in all levels of government with a focus on the North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Delegation in the United States Congress. Ches represents clients in many industries including health care, financial services, entertainment, technology, outdoor sports, aviation, municipal government, nonprofits, state-wide associations, elections, energy, pharmaceuticals, real estate development, gaming, and professional sports. He was selected as one of the top 10 lobbyists in North Carolina by the North State Journal and he received honorable mentions for representing 45 clients during the 2020 North Carolina General Assembly short session with a diverse portfolio and for leading the lobbying corps in athletic representation.
Ches was selected by Triad Business Journal as one of its “40 Leaders Under 40” in 2021. Ches was recognized as a “Young Gun” in 2019 by Business North Carolina magazine.
Ches participates annually in the National Conference of State Legislators, American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Meeting, State Agriculture and Rural Leaders Legislative Ag Chairs Summit, and other national and state political meetings.
Prior to joining the firm, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable David M. Warren at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Previously, Ches was a Senior Legislative Consultant/Lobbyist at Randolph E. Cloud and Associates and a Lobbyist with a Raleigh, North Carolina law firm where he consulted, advised and lobbied for clients in a variety of industries with a wide range of interests. He also worked for Senator Phil Berger in his position as Senate Republican Leader, and later when Senator Berger was elected Senate President Pro Tempore.
While attending law school, Ches served as a legal intern for the Wake County Attorney’s Office in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Campbell University School of Law, J.D. (2014)
North Carolina State University, B.A., Political Science, magna cum laude, with departmental honors (2011)
North Carolina (2014)
University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Board of Trustees, Member
North Carolina Outdoor Heritage Council, Member
Smith Province Council of Kappa Alpha Order, Deputy Province Commander
University of North Carolina School of the Arts Foundation Board of Directors, Member
North Carolina Professional Lobbyist Association, Member
Triangle Chapter of Delta Waterfowl, Co-Chair
North Carolina Forestry Advisory Council, Member
North Carolina Bar Association, Member
Alpha Omega Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order, Alumni Advisory Council, Member
Ardmore Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Member
Fellowship Home, Board Member
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winston-Salem, Board Member
“Ches McDowell and Nelson Freeman Named 2021 Top Lobbyists in North Carolina,” The North State Journal, November 29, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | November 19, 2021,” November 19, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | November 12, 2021,” November 12, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | November 5, 2021,” November 5, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | October 29, 2021,” October 29, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | October 22, 2021,” October 22, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | October 15, 2021,” October 15, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | October 8, 2021,” October 8, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | October 1, 2021,” October 1, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | September 24, 2021,” September 24, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | September 17, 2021,” September 17, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | September 10, 2021,” September 9, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | September 3, 2021,” September 3, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | August 27, 2021,” August 27, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | August 20, 2021,” August 20, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | August 13, 2021,” August 13, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | August 6, 2021,” August 6, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | July 30, 2021,” July 30, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | July 23, 2021,” July 23, 2021
“North Carolina General Assembly Update | July 16, 2021,” July 16, 2021
“Triad Business Journal | 40 Under 40 2021: Ches McDowell,” Triad Business Journal, April 26, 2021
“Ches McDowell and Nelson Freeman Named Top 25 Lobbyists,” August 3, 2020
“Kilpatrick Townsend Attorneys Selected To Business North Carolina Magazine’s 2019 “Legal Elite”,” January 10, 2019
“2018 North Carolina Short Session Adjournment,” July 3, 2018
“5 Key Takeaways: North Carolina Legislative Update,” September 26, 2017
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina - Honorable David M. Warren