Alexander S. Rusek

Alexander Rusek is an experienced trial lawyer who represents individuals and businesses facing criminal charges, government investigations, and related administrative proceedings. His criminal defense practice spans matters ranging from DUI/OWI offenses and white-collar crimes to serious felony charges, including first-degree murder and other life-offense cases.

Criminal Trials & Charges: Alex has extensive trial experience in the criminal law courtroom ranging from drunk driving offenses to first-degree premeditated murder and other life-offense offenses. Those trials and years of working cases brought by prosecutors at the local, state, and federal level, shape how Alex advises and strategizes with clients faced with criminal charges. These even include high profile charges in the sprawling Flint Water Crisis civil and criminal litigation.

His criminal trial experience includes matters involving:

• DUI/OWI and traffic-related offenses
• White-collar and financial crimes
• Fraud and embezzlement allegations
• Assaultive and violent crimes
• Drug-related offenses
• Serious felony matters, including first-degree murder and other life-offense charges

Appeals & Other Post-Conviction Proceedings: A conviction does not always end the legal process. Alex also regularly represents clients in criminal appeals and those seeking other post-conviction relief, as well as clients in probation violation proceedings. His trial experience provides valuable insight when identifying legal errors, procedural issues, and other grounds that may support appellate or post-conviction relief.

Expungements: Michigan law offers opportunities to create more clean slate opportunities and reduce barriers to employment, housing, education, and professional licensing. Although specific requirements must be met, and many old convictions still do not qualify for expungement, Alex enjoys working with clients to ascertain their eligibility, and then pursue an expungement, or setting aside of their old convictions, if applicable. Expungement Process in Michigan

Administrative & Regulatory Matters & Criminal Investigations: Individuals face some of the most challenging times in their lives when they find themselves involved in overlapping civil, administrative, and criminal matters. Alex guides clients through these difficult situations –including state and federal regulatory investigations into business and other practices that may result in both civil litigation and criminal prosecutions.

Alex also represents healthcare and other licensed professionals in disciplinary and similar administrative proceedings, often while they are also facing criminal charges, including:

• Physicians
• Pharmacists
• Dentists
• Nurses
• Counselors
• Attorneys
• Residential builders and other licensed professionals

Alex prides himself on assisting his clients through a system that is often intimidating and new to them. He strives to make his clients feel as comfortable and prepared as possible every time they step into a courthouse. One of his most fulfilling moments came when a former client was listed on the National Registry of Exonerations after Alex secured the dismissal of all homicide and firearm charges following the reversal of the client’s previous homicide conviction.

In his time outside of work, Alex enjoys being an active leader in the State Bar and Ingham County Bar, mentoring undergraduate and law students, and actively supporting The Army of Survivors, Inc., a non-profit formed by survivors of sexual abuse, the mission of which is to spread awareness and combat sexual abuse in sport.

Testimonial

“I desperately needed a good attorney because my son had previously served time in prison. I knew he could not survive that experience again. * * * [This] outcome would not have been possible without the efforts and arguments of Alex Rusek to get the court system to give my son another chance.”

• National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Top 10 Under 40 Award - Michigan (2023)
• Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (2026)
• Michigan State Bar Foundation
  • Fellow (2026)
• Ingham County Bar Foundation
  • Fellow (2024)
• Ingham County Bar Association, President's Special Recognition Award (2023)

• Alex currently serves as an elected member of the State Bar of Michigan Criminal Law Section Governing Council.
• Currently serves as an elected member of the State Bar of Michigan Litigation Section Governing Council.
• Alex has represented people charged with all manners of crimes and has tried numerous criminal cases before a jury ranging from drunk driving offenses to open murder.
• Lead counsel for client charged with multiple criminal counts, including False Pretenses >$100,000.00 and Conspiracy, arising from the Flint Water Crisis. All charges were dismissed in June 2019.
• Represented client charged with homicide and other crimes. All charges against client dismissed in December 2020. Mr. Alford’s case is listed in the National Registry of Exonerations.
• Successfully negotiated the dismissal of the assaultive criminal charges against the client less than one week before the start of the trial in the matter.
• Represented juvenile charged with two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct – Second Degree. All charges dismissed with prejudice.
• Represented client charged with felony malicious destruction of property at Preliminary Examination wherein the Court dismissed the felony charge. Client re-charged with same crimes after initial dismissal at Preliminary Examination. Felony charge dismissed again following second Preliminary Examination.
• Represented client charged with Moving Violation Causing Death. All charges against the client were dismissed in September 2020 after presenting expert findings regarding the motor vehicle crash.
• Represented client charged with Home Invasion 2nd Degree. All charges dismissed after proving client’s innocence prior to the Preliminary Examination.
• Represented corporation in administrative proceedings initiated by the State of Michigan related to the corporation’s residential builders license.
• Represented landlord charged with five misdemeanor crimes. All charges dismissed with prejudice.
• Represented juvenile charged as an adult with Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree (Life Offense).
• Represented corporation and an employee in a criminal prosecution and secured the dismissal of two misdemeanor charges.
• Represented national corporation charged criminally for violating building codes and ordinances. Attorney Alexander S. Rusek successfully negotiated a dismissal of the criminal charges resulting in a de minimis fine for the client.
• Represented and successfully argued to preserve client’s Fifth Amendment rights in the context of concurrent criminal and civil litigation before the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in the published decision in In re Flint Water Cases, 53 F.4th 176, 183 (6th Cir. 2022), reh'g denied, No. 22-1353, 2023 WL 370653 (6th Cir. Jan. 5, 2023).
• Represented client charged with multiple criminal counts, including False Pretenses > $100,000.00, Conspiracy, and Involuntary Manslaughter arising from the Flint Water Crisis. All charges dismissed in (2019).
• Represented client indicted by a grand jury in (2021) on charges of Willful Neglect of Duty arising from the Flint Water Crisis.
• Represented client as amicus curiae in the Michigan Supreme Court wherein the client was granted oral argument as amicus curiae and a favorable decision was reached by the Court in the published decision in People v. Peeler, 509 Mich. 381; __ NW2d __ (2022). Cited in § 8.1(b) Special grand juries, 3 Crim. Proc. § 8.1(b) (4th ed.).
• Represented client charged with Moving Violation Causing Death. All charges against the client were dismissed after presenting expert findings regarding the motor vehicle crash.
• Represented an international child advocacy non-profit think tank as amicus curiae in the Michigan Supreme Court.
• Represented client charged in Western District of Michigan in a multi-defendant interstate and international criminal conspiracy case.
• Obtained dismissal of all charges for client charged with multiple serious narcotic and firearms offenses, including Delivery/Manufacture 450 to < 1,000 grams of narcotics and felony firearm.
• Represented clients who were sexually abused by clergy members as children.
• Represented client charged with homicide and other crimes. All charges against client dismissed in December 2020. Case is listed in the National Registry of Exonerations.
• Represented client in civil litigation for actions resulting in client’s wrongful homicide conviction and subsequent imprisonment. Settled amicably within four months of filing Complaint in Michigan Circuit Court.
• Represented client charged with homicide and other crimes at trial.
• Represented client charged with multiple counts of homicide and other crimes on direct appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
• Represented client charged with multiple misdemeanor and felony counts arising from an auto accident that resulted in 13 injured persons. All charges were dismissed.
• Represented survivor of sexual abuse perpetrated by a former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives as victim advocate in criminal proceedings and in civil litigation.
• Represented minor client charged with Open Murder and firearm related offenses.
• Represented client charged with Home Invasion 2nd Degree. All charges were dismissed after proving client’s innocence prior to the Preliminary Examination.
• Represented client convicted of First Degree Murder in post-conviction trial court matter and appellate matter.
• Lead trial attorney in one week trial in the 30th Circuit Court for client charged with Home Invasion First Degree, Felony Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Domestic Violence as a Fourth Habitual Offender where client was found not guilty of all felonies.
• Represented pharmacist client in concurrent criminal and administrative licensing proceedings. Client was able to successfully maintain his license to practice as a pharmacist.
• Represented client charged with felony malicious destruction of property at Preliminary Examination wherein the Court dismissed the felony charge. Client re-charged with same crimes after initial dismissal at Preliminary Examination. Felony charge dismissed again following second Preliminary Examination.
• Represented juvenile during Title IX investigation wherein the client was ultimately found to have not committed any discriminatory conduct and had not violated Title IX.
• Won Motion to Suppress Evidence in Ingham County Circuit Court resulting in dismissal with prejudice of narcotics and firearm charges.
• Represented corporate client and an employee in a criminal matter related to the employee’s conduct during his employment. All criminal charges were dismissed.
• Represented farmer charged with multiple counts of Assault and Battery based on an allegation that the farmer intentionally sprayed people with herbicide. All charges against the farmer were dismissed.
• Represented physician charged with multiple life offenses while simultaneously facing potential medical license and immigration sanctions.
• Successfully fought client’s extradition to Georgia and coordinated with client’s other attorneys and Georgian district attorney to have all charges against client dropped in Michigan and Georgia.
• Represented client charged with Home Invasion First Degree as a Habitual Offender. All charges dismissed prior to trial.
• Represented client before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in relation to client’s assertion of Fifth Amendment rights in a civil trial.
• Formerly represented clients on appeal by appointment through the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System and formerly appointed to Ingham County Indigent Defense ‘A-List’ to represent clients charged with life offenses.

Professional Affiliations

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Criminal Law Section, Governing Council
  • Litigation Section, Governing Council

  • Civil Procedure & Courts Committee

• Hillman Advocacy Program

  • Steering Committee

• Michigan State University College of Law

  • Adjunct Professor, Trial Practice Institute