Page 15 - Los Angeles Vol 5 No 1

In those days, his experi- ence was second to his attitude. Clients gave him opportunities based on his tenacity and dedi- cation. He came by employment law when a client hired him for a case because of how impressed he was with Lenkov’s strategy, which he put together a er days of study- ing for the initial client meeting. A “great result” was the outcome, and
a ood of more cases followed. “What I lacked in experience I compensated for in gall and con- dence,” Lenkov explains. “A lot of lawyers would have shied away, but I thought, what a great opportunity. I am going to jump right in. I thought, I would work harder than the other side to win my case, and that’s what I did. e truth is that I had no other options
but to work hard."
ose early cases led him to develop a
formidable defense practice representing some of the nation's top companies.
“It’s a truly diverse, multi-themed prac- tice,” says Lenkov, who is also a certi ed players’ agent with the National Hockey League Players’ Association, a part owner of a Los Angeles team in a soccer league now in formation and an adjunct professor of sports law at Southwestern Law School. “ e excitement and challenge to me is being
multi-faceted."
Does doing all of these di erent things di-
lute the expertise? Quite the opposite, Lenkov says, citing as an example the connection be-
tween business law and litigation.
“ e business attorney and the litigator are
usually exclusive, but I’ve been both,” he says. “When I’m putting a deal together on the busi- ness side, the advantage I have is that I can an-
ticipate what could go wrong in litigation.” Lenkov’s diverse skill set and exposure to unique opportunities has made him a go-to on- air legal analyst for CBS and Fox stations covering
current subjects in the news, as well as a sports commen- tator on various television networks. In addition, Lenkov worked with Fox to create “Pigskin Preview” starring Los Angeles Rams legend Vince Ferragamo and Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, and a baseball commentary show starring icons Frank omas and Pete Rose, which earned an Emmy for Fox.
“I hope I am a good role model for young law students to show them that you can do anything,” he says.
UP FOR A CHALLENGE
“Doing anything” doesn’t stop with his law practice. Outside the o ce, and away from the negotiating table and the courtroom, he applies his no-limits attitude to his “down time,” too.
“I’m always challenging myself—with either mental or physical, tough activities,” says Lenkov.
is includes heli-skiing, running with the bulls, Notre Dame Football camp, skydiving, racing at the Indy 500, swimming with hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Is- lands, walking on the wing of an airplane (“It sounds ad- venturous but it’s the scariest thing ever.”) and even playing a few characters in the Lion King on Broadway.
“You have one life so you have to push your limits,” he says.
AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com
15