Detroit native Melvin “Butch” Hollowell grew up in the metro area, attending the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Albion College.

After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree, he quickly followed it up with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1984, where he also held the title of President of the Black Law Students Association.

From there, he returned to his hometown in Detroit, becoming a partner at Miller Law Firm’s Detroit office (the former Corporation Counsel for Detroit), where he quickly made a name for himself within Michigan’s Black legal and civic networks during a time when community, power, and policy were deeply intertwined.

Hollowell’s robust legal career spans everything from high-stakes litigation to advocacy work to expansive municipal reform.

During his tenure as Corporation Counsel for the City of Detroit, Hollowell acted as the city’s chief legal officer, a role which saw him defending various city agencies, overseeing high-profile legal disputes, and managing litigation strategy with clarity and grace.

He also helped Detroit navigate complex periods, including the 2014 Chapter 9 bankruptcy saga which required him to negotiate significant reductions in city liability and mediate consultant overbilling.

Howell cut annual litigation payouts in half during his time as Corporation Counsel for the City of Detroit.

As for his time at Miller Law Firm’s Detroit office, he made a lasting impact by leading the firm’s downtown practice in complex, class actions, high-level regulatory matters, commercial litigation, election law matters, and time-sensitive investigations.

Today, he proudly represents corporations, nonprofits, public agencies, and government officials alike, steering investigations, defending high-stakes clients, and advising constitutional litigation.

Melvin “Butch” Hollowell’s influence stretches far beyond just the courtroom. He is also a devoted civil rights activist who served as General Counsel of the Detroit NAACP branch, sat on the Democratic National Committee, and was the first African American chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party.

A legal force to be reckoned with, one with deep roots in party strategy and statewide network building, Hollowell was even the Democratic nominee for Michigan Secretary of State in 2002, securing 42.96% of the vote against his opponent Terri Lynn Land.

In short, Melvin “Butch” Hollowell doesn’t just practice the law—he reshapes entire systems with the hope of securing a brighter future for the city that birthed him.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: October 1, 2025