With over thirteen years of dedicated experience as a trial lawyer, Ben focuses on advocating for individuals who have suffered harm due to various forms of injustice, including medical malpractice; civil rights violations; serious personal injury; wrongful death; and crimes like sexual assault, harassment, and human trafficking.
Ben earned a reputation as a fierce advocate for victims and survivors during his tenure at the King County Prosecutor’s Office. As a senior deputy prosecutor, Ben worked tirelessly alongside hundreds of diverse crime survivors and their families, specializing in high-profile cases involving child sexual abuse, medical child abuse, adult sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Ben’s reputation as a strategic trial attorney is founded on his ability to craft compelling case narratives, establish rapport with marginalized and vulnerable victims, earn the trust of juries, and master the facts and law through meticulous preparation. Ben has successfully tried over 60 cases to verdict.
In addition to his trial work, Ben directed the prosecutor office’s anti-human trafficking response over five years, leading efforts in case prosecutions, policy development, and acclaimed strategic initiatives. He continues to advocate for trafficking survivors, using his expertise to both improve legislative and system responses and provide training and awareness to stakeholders nationwide.
Transitioning to civil practice, Ben is committed to dedicating the next chapter of his career to personally advocating for survivors and those who have been seriously injured. He remains steadfast in his mission to be a voice for those who have been silenced by harm. With a particular passion for cases involving the abuse of power, Ben finds fulfillment in effecting systemic change through legal action.
Ben is a Seattle native with deep roots. He serves as a volunteer board member for non-profit organizations Stolen Youth and the Strategic Alliance to Fight Exploitation in Washington State. He enjoys coaching his kids’ youth sports teams and spending time in the mountains.
Education
J.D., Seattle University School of Law, Cum Laude (2009)
B.S. Commerce – Finance, Minor in Anthropology, Cum Laude, Santa Clara (2004)
Admissions
Washington State Bar Association
King County Bar Association
Stolen Youth, Board of Directors (2020–Present)
Strategic Alliance to Fight Exploitation in Washington State (SAFE), Board of Directors (2019–Present)
King County CSEC Task Force (2018 - Present)
University Beyond Bars, Board of Directors & Treasurer (2016-2021)
Speaking Engagements
"Combating Human Trafficking: A Call to Action – CLE," Presented for: Perkins Coie LLP & T-Mobile, January 2024; Bellevue, WA
"Anti-Demand Prosecution: the issue, the policy goals, & how you can successfully prosecute the cases – CLE," Presented for: Seattle City Attorney’s Office, January 2024; Seattle, WA
"Law Enforcement Strategies: Confronting Demand in Equality Model Jurisdictions," Presented for: World Without Exploitation Webinar Speaker Series, October 2023; www.worldwithoutexploitation.org
Conference on Crimes Against Women Podcast, "One-in-ten: The men who are driving the commercial sex market," Season 4, Episode 14, April 2023; www.conferencecaw.org/podcast/
"The Bitter Truth About Sugaring as a Trafficking On-Ramp," Presented at: Western States Information Network, May 2022; Sacramento, CA
"Confronting Demand: Tackling a Root Cause of Trafficking in Human Beings," Presented at: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Event: 21st Global Conference of the Alliance Against Trafficking in Persons, Presentation Topic: "Holistic Response as a Pathway for Implementation," November 2021; https://www.osce.org/combating-human-trafficking
"Making the Case," Presented for: World Without Exploitation Webinar Speaker Series, November 2021; www.worldwithoutexploitation.org
"National Human Trafficking Prosecution Summit," Presented for: Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, January 2020; Miami, Florida
"Innovations in Prosecuting Human Trafficking New York State," Presented at: Manhattan District Attorney Office & Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, January 2020; New York City, NY
"Strategies to Uproot the Commercial Sex Industry," Presented at: Nevada State Human Trafficking Summit hosted by the Nevada State Attorney General’s Office, October 2019; Las Vegas & Reno, NV
"Strategies to Uproot the Commercial Sex Industry," Presented at: National District Attorneys Association’s Summit on Human Trafficking, October 2018; Spokane, WA