Founding Partners

John E. Semmes, Jr. (1881-1967)

John E. Semmes, Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1881. He was the son of John E. Semmes, Sr., a founding partner of Semmes, Bowen & Semmes. Mr. Semmes was a graduate of the University of Maryland Law Class of 1905. After graduation, Mr. Semmes joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. In 1908 he left the Marine Corps and joined his father's law practice, then named Steele & Semmes. In 1909, he became partner along with Jesse N. Bowen, a fellow classmate of his at the University of Maryland School of Law. The firm reorganized under the name Semmes, Bowen and Semmes. Mr. Semmes served as Partner for 37 years and as Counsel for 21 years until his death on November 26, 1967.

John E. Semmes | Jesse N. Bowen | John E. Semmes, Jr.