Alexander S. Rusek

Alexander S. Rusek is a rare trial lawyer under 40 who has tried numerous complex cases in the business world and the criminal law arena. His trial experience shapes how he advises and strategizes with clients in litigation and those facing potential litigation. Most of Alex’s work falls into three primary, often overlapping areas: complex civil litigation, criminal cases, and administrative, regulatory, and other government investigations, including headline cases.

Trials: Jury verdicts and bench trials are a steady part of Alex’s practice. He has tried breaches of contract and complex business dispute cases, civil rights cases, and criminal cases. His criminal cases have ranged from drunk driving offenses to first-degree premeditated murder and other life-offenses.

High Profile Litigation: Handling the press and pressure are skills Alex has homed in high-profile mass action and class action cases. He represented over 100 survivors of sexual assault in nationally recognized cases and a defendant in the sprawling Flint Water Crisis civil and criminal litigation.

Administrative & Regulatory Matters & 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 people 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. These licensed professionals include doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, counselors, attorneys, residential builders, barbers, etc.

Tech in Litigation: Alex is a proponent of using the latest resources to help his clients. He leverages his tech background to better understand tech subject matter disputes and to conduct eDiscovery efficiently and effectively. His writing on legal technology has been cited by numerous law review journals, and he regularly presents on emerging issues, such as generative artificial intelligence. As litigation surrounding technology, eDiscovery, data privacy, and data protection heats up, Alex is available to assist clients.

In his time outside of work, Alex enjoys being an active leader in the State Bar of Michigan and the Ingham County Bar Association, mentoring law students, and actively supporting The Athlete Survivors’ Assist, a non-profit formed by survivors of sexual abuse, the mission of which is to spread awareness and combat sexual abuse in sport. He is currently the only attorney in the State of Michigan to have been elected to serve on both the State Bar of Michigan Litigation Section Governing Council and the State Bar of Michigan Criminal Law Section Governing Council, while also concurrently serving as an appointed member of the State Bar of Michigan Civil Procedure and Courts Committee.

He also serves on the Hillman Advocacy Program Steering Committee and is an adjunct professor at the Michigan State University College of Law Trial Practice Institute where he teaches third-year law students. He has authored multiple articles that have appeared in the State Bar of Michigan Journal and other State Bar of Michigan publications, American Bar Association publications, the Detroit Bar Association’s Detroit Lawyer, the Ingham County Bar Association’s BRIEFS, and others.

Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, (2026)

Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow, (2026)

Shared Resources, Super Volunteer Award, (2024)

Ingham County Bar Foundation, Fellow, (2024)

Ingham County Bar Association, President’s Special Recognition Award, (2023)

National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDA), Top 10 Under 40 Award Michigan (2023)

Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, 10 Over Next Ten Award, (2018)

Oakland University, 10 Within 10 Alumni Award, (2018)

American Bar Association - Young Lawyers Division, Affiliate Star Award, (2018)

Ingham County Bar Association (ICBA), Top 5 Under 35 Award, (2016)

ICBA BRIEFS Featured Young Lawyer, (2016)

Mass, Class, Complex, and Crisis Litigation

• Currently serves as an appointed member of the State Bar of Michigan Civil Procedure & Courts Committee.
• Currently serves as an elected member of the State Bar of Michigan Litigation Section Governing Council.
• Represented over 40 survivor-plaintiffs and served as local counsel in civil cases arising from the Dr. Lawrence Nassar/Michigan State University sexual abuse scandal. Integral part of team that obtained $500,000,000.00 settlement with Michigan State University and $380,000,000.00 settlement with USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, including drafting legislation that created a “window” for survivors to file civil claims previously barred by statutes of limitation (MCL 600.5851b) and prospectively extended the civil and criminal statutes of limitations for actions based on childhood sexual abuse (MCL 600.5805; MCL 767.24)
• Represented over 85 survivor-plaintiffs and served as local counsel in civil cases arising from the Dr. Robert E. Anderson/University of Michigan sexual abuse scandal. These cases were resolved with a $490,000,000.00 global settlement with the University of Michigan.
• Lead civil counsel for former City of Flint Director of Public Works in over 100 individual, mass tort, and class action cases in the Genesee County Circuit Court, Michigan Court of Claims, Michigan Court of Appeals, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States in regards to civil claims arising out of the Flint Water Crisis. All causes of action against client were dismissed as part of a $626,250,000.00 master settlement agreement.
• Lead counsel for client indicted by a one-person grand jury in 2021 on charges of Willful Neglect of Duty arising from the Flint Water Crisis. All charges dismissed in May 2023.
• Represented higher-education institution in federal consolidated class action wherein plaintiffs alleged injuries related to a 2022 data breach.
• 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.
• Represented client in civil litigation against The Hertz Company for its actions resulting in client’s wrongful homicide conviction and subsequent imprisonment. Settled amicably within four months of filing Complaint in Ingham County, Michigan Circuit Court for an amount greater than all known civil settlements arising from wrongful imprisonment in Michigan.
• Represented clients affected by the opioid crisis (In re: Purdue Pharma L.P., et al).
• Represented client as amicus curiae in the Michigan Supreme Court.
• Represented clients in Federal Tort Claim Act matter regarding the negligence of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating sexual abuse committed by Lawrence Nassar.
• Lead defense counsel for higher-education institution in consolidated state and federal class actions wherein plaintiffs alleged injuries related to a 2025 data breach.

Criminal Defense & Government Investigations

• 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.
• 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 builder's 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. 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.

Health Care Law

• Successfully represented adult foster care home in licensing matters and in healthcare fraud investigation brought by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”).
• Successfully represented day care center in professional licensing matters brought by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (“MiLEAP”).
• Successfully represented orthodontics practice in relation to a Michigan Department of Civil Rights investigation.
• Successfully advocated on behalf of a large healthcare facility client to overturn an ex parte restraining order entered against the client in circuit court within one week of Foster Swift’s involvement in the case.
• Represented defendant in civil proceedings alleging fraud, assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. All causes of action were dismissed when the Court granted client’s Motion for Summary Disposition in lieu of an Answer with prejudice.
• Successfully represented social worker in professional licensing matters brought by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”).
• Successfully represented former pediatrist and won reinstatement of client’s medical license after a multi-day contested administrative hearing.
• Represented physician and PhD candidate in complex Title IX matter wherein the client was accused of violating multiple university sexual and gender-based misconduct policies. All allegations were found to be unsubstantiated against the client after a multiple-day administrative hearing.
• Successfully represented long term skilled nursing facility in connection with Medicaid survey accused of violating multiple CMS F-TAGS.
• Won dissolution of summary suspension of client’s nursing license following contested hearing.
• Successfully represented physician in dual criminal and professional licensing matters.
• Successfully represented radiologist in professional licensing matters brought by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”).
• Successfully represented licensed practical nurse in dual criminal and professional licensing matters.
• Successfully represented pharmacist in dual criminal and professional licensing matters.
• Successfully represented certified nursing assistant in professional licensing matters brought by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) accusing the client of diverting controlled substances. The client was found to have not committed the alleged acts following a contested hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
• Successfully represented registered nurse in dual criminal and professional licensing matters.
• Successfully represented healthcare facility as a third-party in an action alleging civil rights violations.
• Successfully represented healthcare facility related to a third-party attempt to use the facility’s name and intellectual property to defraud the facility’s patients.
• Successfully represented therapist in litigation alleging that the facility engaged in a civil conspiracy.
• Successfully represented physician in professional licensing matters brought by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) related to false advertising allegations.
• Successfully advocated on behalf of a large healthcare facility client to overturn an ex parte restraining order entered against the client in circuit court within one week of Foster Swift’s involvement in the case.
• Alex regularly represents healthcare facilities in connection with HIPAA privacy issues, including responding to discovery subpoenas for medical records, preparing and representing licensed professionals and staff for depositions and trial testimony, and other litigation related services.

Commercial, Business, and Civil Litigation

• Alex currently serves as an appointed Neutral Tort Case Evaluator for the Ingham County Circuit Court.
• Represented company in suit against the United States of America regarding the company’s acceptable of SNAP and EBT as payments. Settled in favor of clients who is now eligible to accept SNAP and EBT payments.
• Won appeal of default judgment in Michigan Court of Appeals in Durga Property Holdings, Inc. v. Holiday Park Realty, LLC, et al., Case No.: 347698.
• Represented third-party defendant in divorce matter with millions of dollars in disputed assets.
• Represented estate consisting of multiple business entities in probate of will and trust.
• Successfully represented charged corporation in National Labor Relations Board investigation.
• Lead civil counsel for former City of Flint Director of Public Works in over 70 individual, mass tort, and class action cases in the Genesee County Circuit Court, Michigan Court of Claims, Michigan Court of Appeals, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States in regards to civil claims arising out of the Flint Water Crisis.
• Represented New York based national real estate acquisition and holding company in multi-party litigation regarding the sale of commercial property in Ingham County Business Court.
• Represented client in breach of contract matter arising from the sale of an exotic sports car.
• Represented client in investigation of former business and real estate attorney that committed fraud against the client. Obtained judgment in excess of $250,000.00.
• Represented five university professors in internal union grievance proceedings at Wayne State University.
• Obtained judgment in excess of $250,000.00 for clients that were victims of numerous white-collar crimes committed by their former attorney.
• Successfully represented client in seeking certification of order for interlocutory appeal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b).
• Represented client in complex defamation and tortious interference civil litigation before the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court.
• Represented licensed cannabis testing laboratory in complex litigation in multiple jurisdictions.
• Represented landlord in complex civil litigation alleging injuries from toxic mold exposure.
• Represented automobile dealership in a federal lawsuit and associated arbitration matter wherein the Plaintiff claimed numerous violations of consumer protection laws and other causes of action. Case was successfully settled within one week of the client retaining the firm which included a resolution of the arbitration matter and dismissal of the federal lawsuit without any admissions of guilt or liability.
• Represented a Michigan county family court in relation to an unlawful subpoena issued by an out of state litigant.
• Represented client in multi-party residential construction civil litigation.

Notable Pro Bono Representation

• Attorney for The Survivor Athletes’ Assist (aka The Assist fka The Army of Survivors, Inc.).
• Attorney for the Capital Area Humane Society.
• Attorney for Highfields, Inc.
• Attorney for CHILD USA as amicus curiae counsel in the Michigan Supreme Court.

Legal Affiliations

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Litigation Section
    • Member, SBM Litigation Section Governing Council (Elected September 2022)
  • Criminal Law Section
    • Member, SBM Criminal Law Section Governing Council (Elected November 2024)
  • Civil Procedure and Courts Committee, Member
    • Member (Appointed September 2024) 
  • Board of Tellers
    • Appointed Teller (2026)
  • Member, State Bar of Michigan Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Appellate Practice Section, Business Law Section, Criminal Law Section, General Practice – Solo & Small Firm Section, Information Technology Law Section, Intellectual Property Law Section, Law Practice Management & Legal Administrators Section, Litigation Section, Young Lawyers Section (formerly).
• Michigan State Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, 2026
• Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society
  • Advocate’s Guild Member (2025) (Guild membership is limited to attorneys that have appeared before the Michigan Supreme Court in calendared appeals)
• Ingham County Bar Association (ICBA)
  • Immediate-Past President (July 2026-Present)
  • President, (July 2025-June 2026)
  • President-Elect, (July 2024-June 2025)
  • Vice President, (July 2023-June 2024)
  • Board Treasurer, (2022-2023)
  • Board of Directors, (2016-present)
  • ICBA Young Lawyers President, (2017-2018)
• Ingham County Bar Foundation
  • Fellow (2024)
  • Ex Officio Director, Board of Directors (2025-2026)
  • Ex Officio Director, Board of Directors (2017-2018)
• National Conference of Bar Presidents
  • Member (2025-President)
• National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators
  • Member (2025-President)
• Michigan State University College of Law
  • Adjunct Professor (Civil Trial)
• WDMI Hillman Trial Advocacy Program
  • Member, Steering Committee 
• Ingham County Circuit Court
  • Appointed Neutral Tort Case Evaluator for 30th Circuit Court
• Eaton County Bar Association
• Clinton County Bar Association
• Macomb County Bar Association
• Davis-Dunnings Bar Association
• American Bar Association
  • Book Publishing Chair, Section of Litigation Privacy and Data Security Committee (2015-2017)
  • Book Publishing Subcommittee Chair, Section of Litigation Technology for the Litigator Committee (2014-16)
• Federal Bar Association
  • Member, Eastern and Western District of Michigan Chapters
• Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
  • Member
• Michigan State University College of Law
  • Alumni Association Board of Directors
    • Board Member (2016-2021), Committee Member, Distinguished Alumni Award Committee, Student Liaison Committee, Student Outreach Committee, and Local Chapter Committee Amongst Other Committees (2016-2021)

Community Affiliations

• Downtown Lansing, Inc. and Downtown Lansing Partnership, Inc.
  • Board Member (2024 - Present)
• Capital Area Humane Society
  • Board of Directors, (2024-Present)
• The Athlete Survivors’ Assist (aka The Assist and aka The Army of Survivors, Inc.)
  • Co-Founder and Board Member (2018-Present)
• Highfields, Inc.
  • Board Member (2023 - Present)
• Ingham County Board of Commissioners Equal Opportunity Committee
  
  • Chairperson (2018-2021)
  • Treasurer (2016-2018)
  • Ingham County Equal Opportunity Policy Review & Revision Subcommittee
    • Subcommittee Chairperson (2017-2021)
• Democratic Party of Michigan
  • Precinct Delegate – City of Lansing, Ward 1, Precinct 6, Elected (08/02/2016); Re-Elected (8/7/2018); Re-Elected (8/2020-8/2022)