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Alex Petrik serves as associate counsel of labor and employment for Rocket Central. Petrik provides advice and counsel on employment-related issues and handles litigation about employment on behalf of the Rocket Central family of companies. The lawyer is also currently working on his MBA from the University of Iowa.
The lifelong resident of Commerce Township, Michigan serves on the board of Hospitality House Food Pantry and is proud to give back to the community that helped raise him. Learn about Petrik’s emphasis on trusting while verifying, his most memorable private practice case, and the belief that lawyers just like to argue.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about being an attorney or the legal function itself?
One of the biggest misconceptions about being an attorney is that if you are good at arguing, you will be a good attorney. There is so much more to being a good attorney, especially in an in-house role. Relationship building, listening, creative thinking, and executing on desired objectives/tasks gets a person a lot farther than being good at arguing.
What’s a piece of unconventional advice you’ve received that was helpful?
Trust but verify. Often times people’s memory/recollection is not the most accurate, and it is not fault of their own or done with any malicious intent. But often times people will believe the answer to be one thing, but upon further digging/investigation, the answer is the opposite or something different. This advice has helped me several times avoid providing a client/court with inaccurate information.
What is the most meaningful case or pro bono experience you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful case I worked on was when I was in private practice and was involved in litigation surrounding the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a new international crossing between Michigan and Canada. I served as a special attorney general for the State of Michigan, and was able to represent various public officials and departments in that litigation. The Gordie Howe Bridge is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, and I’m excited to see this important public project come to fruition.
