John J. Dowling III

John J. Dowling III is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based federal attorney who represents clients charged with or investigated for white-collar crimes. His work includes wire, mail, and bank fraud, bribery, money laundering, identity theft, embezzlement, conspiracy, healthcare fraud, and Controlled Substances Act matters. He represents business owners, doctors, lawyers, law enforcement officers, political personnel, engineers, tax preparers, bankers, and other professionals in state and federal courts across the country.

John earned a B.A. from Long Island University Post in 2017, where he participated in the Honors College and received a Merit Fellowship. He earned a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law in 2020 and served as chairman of the disciplinary committee for the Moot Court Honor Society. He also received CALI Awards for legal writing, commercial real estate, and real estate transactions. During law school, he interned for two years at the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Northern District of New York.

John has handled federal trials, investigations, and appeals involving serious criminal allegations. In one trial, he and his colleagues helped obtain not-guilty verdicts on nine felony counts for a physician, including three witness-tampering counts. He also persuaded federal prosecutors not to charge a government employee investigated for bribery and honest-services fraud or a tax preparer investigated for nearly $500,000 in PPP loan fraud. His appellate work includes a successful Second Circuit brief that produced a published decision involving a new question of statutory interpretation.

John J. Dowling III is admitted in North Carolina and before several federal district and appellate courts, including the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, and Fourth Circuits. He belongs to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Bar Association. His practice combines courtroom advocacy, detailed legal writing, and experience communicating with federal law enforcement agencies. He helps clients respond to federal scrutiny, defend their rights, and protect their professional reputations when investigations or charges create serious personal and business risks.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Chapman, Dowling & Mallek
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Licensed State

• North Carolina

Education

• Syracuse University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Long Island University Post
  Bachelor of Arts

Awards & Badges