This fall, WashU Law welcomes two distinguished adjunct professors: Brian Benczkowski, JD ‘94 and Matthew S. Owen. Both bring a wealth of experience to our classrooms this fall as professors and guest lecturers.
Benczkowski is a WashU Law alumnus and current partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Kirkland & Ellis. He has deep government enforcement and investigations experience, with previous positions in the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and on Capitol Hill. He has served as the Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Criminal Division, as well as the Republican Staff Director for the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Owen is a practicing attorney at Kirkland & Ellis, whose practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, congressional and other government investigations and appeals. Prior to joining Kirkland, Owen served as majority staff director and chief counsel of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. He is a former law clerk to two Supreme Court Justices: Antonin Scalia and Neil M. Gorsuch.
Benczkowski and Owen are co-teaching “Congressional Investigations,” which explores the law governing Congress’ investigative powers and introduces students to the practical challenges lawyers face when navigating these investigations on behalf of clients.
Owen was also a guest lecturer in Professor Daniel Epps’ Public Law Theory course. Over two sessions, he shared his perspectives on emerging topics in public law and answered questions from students.
