Alexandra “Allie” Menegakis

Alexandra “Allie” Menegakis is an experienced trial attorney, criminal justice reform advocate, and legal commentator. Together with her zealous advocacy, extensive trial experience, and client-centered approach, Allie is a formidable force for her clients both within and outside of the courtroom.

In 2008, Allie graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida with a major in Criminology and minors in both Classics and Modern Greek Studies.  Upon graduation, she was hired by Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions where she worked as a Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) instructor.  In 2013, Allie earned a Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, and was awarded the Book Award in Criminal Litigation.  Outside of the classroom, she served as president of both the Criminal Law Association and the state-wide Florida Bar Law Student Division.  In recognition of her leadership and achievements, Allie was inducted into the prestigious, Florida Blue Key Honor Fraternity in 2013.

An experienced trial attorney, Allie has defended clients in over 70 trials on charges ranging from DUI to first-degree murder. She began her legal career as a public defender in Palm Beach County – the third largest county in Florida – where she represented both juvenile and adult defendants.  In 2018, she re-located to Charleston, South Carolina where she expanded her criminal defense practice to include civil rights litigation and personal injury.  She was quickly recognized by clients and community leaders for her zealous advocacy and was awarded both the Charleston Business Journal’s “Charleston’s 40 under 40” Award in 2021 and Spotlight Award in 2022.

In January of 2020, Allie extended her advocacy from the courtroom to broader policy reform via the creation of the non-profit organization, South Carolina for Criminal Justice Reform (SC4CJR), “a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating mass incarceration and achieving fair, equal, and humane treatment of the criminally accused.”  As SC4CJR’s founder and executive director, Allie continues to educate the public and legislators on smart criminal justice reform.  She is regularly interviewed by local, state, and national media outlets regarding criminal justice issues. (See Legal Commentary section below)

Allie attributes her passionate advocacy and empathy towards her clients to growing up in a large Greek family.  In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, travelling to Greece with her family, playing chess, and learning new languages.  Also an accomplished musician, she enjoys playing the trumpet, piano, and guitar.

PRACTICE AREAS

• Criminal Defense
• Personal Injury
• Civil Rights

EDUCATION

• J.D. University of Florida Levin College of Law
• B.A. University of Florida

BAR ADMISSIONS

• South Carolina
• Florida

HONORS AND AFFILIATIONS

• South Carolina for Criminal Justice Reform (SC4CJR) – Founder and Executive Director – 2020 – present
• South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Educational Foundation – Board of Directors – 2022 – present
• Charleston Regional Business Journal “Charleston’s 40 under 40” – Recipient 2021
• Spotlight Award Recipient – 2022
• Charleston County Bar Association – 2019 – present
• South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – 2019 – present
• Florida Blue Key Honor Fraternity – 2013
• Book Award – Criminal Litigation, The University of Florida Levin College of Law – 2013

                                      Legal Commentary                                       

• “South Carolina pushes ‘shield laws’ to protect lethal drug supplies” by Randy Thompson of Sanquentin News, April 29, 2023
• “South Carolina still seeking a way to hold executions” by Jeffrey Collins of The Associated Press via S. News & World Report, January 19, 2023
• “With 30 inmates on death row, S.C. bill seeks to restart executions” by Mary Green of WRDW Channel 12 News Columbia, January 20, 2023
• “The Brittanee Drexel case: How to nearly destroy a Black family in 21^st century America” by Issac Baily of The Charlotte Observer, January 5, 2023
• “Seizing Property: Civil Asset Forfeiture in South Carolina – A Report of the South Carolina Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights,” December 2022
• “Why did an SC man get $1 million bond for allegedly stealing cigarettes?” The State Newspaper, December 27, 2022
• “Should parents with kids go to prison? A look at Todd Chrisley and SC’s ‘Baby Boy Horry’” by Carolina Williamson of The Sun News, December 14, 2022
• “Delay in justice: Thousands of SC trials waiting for court dates” by Reagin von Lehe of Carolina News & Reporter, December 6, 2022
• “South Carolinians sue to end unauthorized police surveillance program” The Policing Project at NYU School of Law, November 17, 2022
• “How a Greenville native’s Soteria ministry helps men released from prison find their way” by Adam Parker of The Post and Courier, July 18, 2022
• “Life sentences are becoming rarer in South Carolin. Is it time to get rid of the penalty?” by Braley Dodson of WBTW News 13, June 16, 2022
• “A jailhouse informant’s lie changed Timothy Taylor’s Life, is it time for reform?” The Community Times, May 27, 2022.
• “Bowen Turner, who got probation after being accused of rape by three teens, was arrested again” by Clarissa-Jan Lim of BuzzFeed News, May 13, 2022
• “After arrest, low-income defendants may spend weeks or months in jail before they can request a lower bond” by Mollie Bryant of org, April 28, 2022
• “SC bond system slower to react to violations than other states” by Lisa Weismann and Nick Reagan of WCSC Live 5 News, April 11, 2022
• “Adam Smith week celebrates the father of modern economics” by Alicia Lutz of The College of Charleston Today, March 17, 2022
• “Local Criminal Justice Coordinating Council unanimously approves bylaw revisions Community Representative Keith Smalls joins leadership team” by Holy City Sinner, February 9, 2022
• “Why is South Carolina so bad at discussing criminal justice?” Mic’d Up w/ Mika Podcast, October 7, 2021
• “Business Journal honors 40 community leaders and business professionals” Charleston Business Journal, October 1, 20221
• “At least 253 people have died in SC jails since 2009. ‘Why was nobody looking?’” by Lucas Smolcic Larson of The Island Packet, September 19, 2021
• “Local legal experts weigh in on criminal justice reform in Charleston County” by Tara Jabour of ABC 4 News, September 13, 2021
• “Americans for Prosperity hosts roundtable discussion on policing reform” by AFP, July 9, 2021
• “Local, state leaders hold roundtable discussion on police reform” by Katie Augustine of Count on 2 News, July 12, 2021
• “Special Commission on Equity, Inclusion, and Racial Conciliation City of Charleston – Report and Recommendations” Charleston City Council, July 2021
• “Equal Rights Amendment” The South Carolina “Direct Examination” Lawyer Podcast, June 8, 2021
• “The Jamal Sutherland Case” The South Carolina “Direct Examination” Lawyer Podcast, June 4, 2021
• “Jamal Sutherland, Mental Health, and the Criminal Justice System” SC4CJR Virtual Series, May 27, 2021
• “Jamal Sutherland Legal and Procedural Discussion” SC4CJR Virtual Series, May 23, 2021`
• “Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System” The South Carolina “Direct Examination” Lawyer Podcast, May 19, 2021
• “Death Penalty in SC Updates and Mental Health” SC4CJR Virtual Series, May 6, 2021
• “Breaking Down the Chauvin Verdict” The South Carolina “Direct Examination” Lawyer Podcast, April 22, 2021
• “Pro Bono Palmetto Leader Pamela Robinson” The South Carolina “Direct Examination” Lawyer Podcast, March 22, 2021
• “Mental Illness and Substance Abuse in the Criminal Justice System” The South Carolina “Direct Examination” Lawyer Podcast, February 22, 2021
• “Coronavirus drove Charleston County to keep people out of jail. Here’s how” by Sara Coello of The Post and Courier, February 14, 2021
• “Some attorneys worry about continued suspension of in-person jury trials in SC” by Kaitlin Stansell of Live 5 News, February 8, 2021
• “COVID, Crime and the Courts with Allie Menegakis of SC4CJR” The South Carolina “Direct Examination” Lawyer Podcast, January 25, 2021
• “SC Supreme Court cancels grand jury selections amid rising COVID-19 cases” by Paola Tristan Arruda of WTOC News, December 9, 2020
• “COVID in the Courts” by Brooke Shwieters of ABC News 4, November 10, 2020
• “Commentary: Protecting Charleston includes protecting citizens’ constitutional rights” by Allie Menegakis – The Post and Courier, October 20, 2020
• “Breonna Taylor case highlights grand jury problem in SC, reform seekers say” by Brooke Schwieters of ABC Channel 4 News, September 28, 2020
• “Why is reactive criminal justice not working?” SC4CJR Virtual Series, September 27, 2020
• “What you need to know: Police Militarization” SC4CJR Virtual Series, September 27, 2020
• “The Role of the Prosecutor” SC4CJR Virtual Series, September 27, 2020
• “Criminal Justice Reform with Allie Menegakis of SC4CJR.org” – The South Carolina “Direct Examination” Lawyer Podcast, June 15, 2020
• “Qualified Immunity and Use of Force” SC4CJR Virtual Series, June 12, 2020
• “Protestors get help from donations to mass bail funds” by Adam Benson and Fleming Smith of The Post and Courier, June 11, 2020
• “Police v. Protestors” SC4CJR Virtual Series, June 10, 2020
• “Use of tear gas and pepper ball during Marion Square protests called excessive by advocates” by Sam Spence of Charleston City Paper, June 5, 2020
• “Lawyers provide free representation at bond hearings” by Nick Reagan of WMBF News, June 5, 2020
• “Know Your Rights,” Online event guides demonstrators on First Amendment” By Brooke Shwieters of ABC Channel 4 News, June 4, 2020
• “19 Years in Prison” SC4CJR Virtual Series, May 30, 2021
• CNN Presidential Town Hall, CNN, February 23, 2020
• “The Standing Committee on Professionalism and The Florida Bar YLD Law Student Division team up to educate Florida law students on the importance of professionalism” by Allie Menegakis, The Professional, Spring 2013