Cooley students gain insight from criminal defense lawyer and international lecturer Alex Benikov

Alex Benikov, criminal defense lawyer, law professor, author and international lecturer, spoke to students at WMU-Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus Nov. 2 about how he found success after law school.

Benikov, who by his own admission had the lowest LSAT score of anyone he knew, graduated near the bottom of his class, but was able to achieve success and open Benikov Law Firm as soon as he graduated from law school. Benikov has managed the firm for eight years representing clients charged with crimes ranging from major felonies to misdemeanors.

Benikov discussed how he planned ahead for his future legal profession during two sessions at the law school, the second of which was held during the reception for graduates who just passed the bar exam. The new Michigan Bar inductees were able to network and discuss career development with Benikov following the presentation.

“Success is easy for a lawyer. You just have to be willing to out-work and out-hustle everyone else. If you are willing to do what other lawyers are not, you will find success," Benikov said.

For the past four years, Benikov has also been an adjunct law professor at Arizona Summit Law School. He has taught Law Office Management, Professional Responsibility, Trial Skills, Pre-trial Skills, Elder Law, Health Law and is currently developing a class on the Economics of Law Practice. Benikov is also an adjunct professor at St. Francis Law School in Long Beach, California. He has served as special prosecutor in Arizona.

The author of four legal books, Benikov has lectured nationally and internationally, and has been recognized for his entertaining style of presentations. He recently spoke in Shenzhen, China on entrepreneurship and the American criminal justice system. He has received numerous awards from lawyer recognition associations including from Super Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers and Phoenix Magazine.