Benjamin Grimes

Benjamin K. Grimes is a legal professional with a diverse background in military service, law, and leadership development. He served as the Deputy Director of the Professional Responsibility Advisory Office (PRAO) at the U.S. Department of Justice for seven years.12 In this role, he assisted the Director in overseeing the organization's provision of professional responsibility advice and training to Department attorneys and Assistant United States Attorneys worldwide.1

Career Highlights

Military Service:: Grimes had a 20-year military career in the Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps.12 He began as a helicopter pilot flying UH-60 Blackhawks and later transitioned to the JAG Corps after being selected for the Army's Funded Legal Education Program.12

Legal Roles:: During his military service, Grimes held various legal positions, including:

• Administrative Law Attorney and Trial Counsel in Germany
• Senior Trial Counsel for Multi-National Corps in Baghdad, Iraq
• Trial Defense Counsel
• Professor and Vice Chair of Criminal Law at the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center & School1

Current Endeavors:: After retiring from public service, Grimes has focused on leadership development and coaching:

• Founder of BKG Leadership Coaching2
• Senior Faculty member at LeadWise Group2
• Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School (as of fall 2023)3

Education and Expertise

Grimes holds impressive academic credentials:

• B.S. in German from the United States Military Academy at West Point
• J.D. from NYU School of Law
• LL.M. from The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center & School
• Executive Certificate in Executive Coaching from Georgetown University2

He is recognized as an expert in professional responsibility and legal ethics, with a focus on professionalism and professional identity.1

Areas of Focus

Grimes specializes in various aspects of professional development, including:

• Leadership development
• Executive coaching
• Career advancement coaching
• Business development & networking
• Ethics training and program development
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion2

Benjamin Grimes brings a wealth of experience from his military service, legal career, and leadership coaching to help professionals, particularly in the legal field, develop their skills and advance their careers.