Before joining the ranks of higher education, Judge Flowers served for seven years as a Federal Bankruptcy Judge, two years as a Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, and six years as West Virginia's State Welfare Commissioner. Prior to that he practiced law in his hometown of New Cumberland, West Virginia for 13 years.

Judge Flowers is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of West Virginia University where he also received an LL.B. degree. He is married to the former Eleanor Ellis, Assistant Dean for Career Services of the WVU College of Law. They have two adult daughters and the two grandchildren who helped grandpa with the book. He is active in civic and religious affairs and currently serves on the Retired Faculty Governing Board of West Virginia University and is a member of the Appalachian Life Long Learners. He has also authored two books on higher education laws: A Complete Guide to the Higher Education Laws of West Virginia, and 2000 Supplement to the Higher Education Laws of West Virginia.