Curt A. Benson
Professor
B.A. Western Michigan University 1983
J.D. Cooley Law School, 1986
After two years as a Visiting Professor, Professor Benson became a fulltime Cooley professor in 2007.
Before joining the Cooley faculty, Professor Benson enjoyed 21 years experience as a litigator and tried dozens of jury trials in both civil and criminal courts throughout Michigan. He has argued cases before the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, circuit, probate, and district courts, federal district and bankruptcy courts, Worker’s Compensation Bureau, American Arbitration Association, and Drivers License Appeal Division.
Professor Benson hosts a syndicated radio program, The Lawyers, which airs on radio stations in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo but can be heard from northern Indiana up to Traverse City, MI. On the program, Professor Benson interviews professors, judges, lawyers and lawmakers on legal issues in the news. He is a frequent speaker to local bar associations and social organizations explaining recent developments in the law and discussing topics ranging from legal history to preventing violence in public schools.
Professor Benson served on the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education for six years, including two years as president and two years as vice president.
He was an associate attorney with Dennenberg, Tuffley & Jamison 1986-1992, a partner with Benson & Tacket, P.C. 1992-1996, and a solo practitioner, 1996-2006. The majority of his practice focused on commercial litigation, insurance law, criminal defense, and personal injury.
Professor Benson teaches Evidence and Civil Procedure.
Bibliography
Articles
Curt A. Benson, Michigan Rule Evidence 301, I Presume, 87 Mich. B. J. 34 (2008).
Curt A. Benson, Persuading and Dissuading: The Degree of Proof in Insurance Fraud Cases, 23 Thomas M. Cooley L. Rev. 503 (2006).
