Benjamin Estes
Benjamin Estes

Benjamin Estes

Associate

New York

332.238.2795
ben.estes@ashurstperkins.com

Introduction

Ben represents and advises institutional and individual clients in regulatory and white-collar proceedings, complex civil litigations, and internal investigations.

Ben Estes' clients have included global banks and their employees, senior executives, Fortune 100 companies in various sectors—such as technology, consumer products, and insurance—and a global law firm. He has practiced in state and federal courts and in investigations before the SEC, the DOJ, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the FINRA. Ben has developed high-level litigation and investigative experience, including drafting pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting witness interviews and second-chairing depositions; managing document review projects; participating in complex mediations and settlement processes; advocating at court conferences; and preparing for trials. 

Ben maintains an active pro bono practice. He is currently representing a mother and her young child in a tort suit against the U.S. government arising from their mistreatment at the U.S.-Mexico border. He is also representing a young child seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and represented his mother in related custody proceedings. He regularly participates in clinics assisting individuals in such areas as veterans’ benefits, naturalization, and uncontested divorce proceedings. 

In law school, Ben was a submissions editor for the Columbia Business Law Review. He externed for the Hon. Paul A. Engelmayer of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and interned for Manhattan’s District Attorney’s Office. 

Education & credentials

  • University of Michigan, B.A., History, Communications, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Senior Sports Editor and Beat Reporter, The Michigan Daily, 2013
  • Columbia Law School, J.D., James Kent Scholar, Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Submissions Editor, Columbia Business Law Review, 2020
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, NY, Associate, January 2021-2023; Summer Associate, 2019

Impact

  • Perkins Coie Associate/Counsel AI Working Group, Member
  • Representing an Am Law 100 law firm in malpractice-related litigation involving its white collar defense of a former client who later pled guilty to securities fraud charges.
  • Representing large public companies in the investigation and remediation of fraud schemes in healthcare and personal injury litigation, including through complex civil RICO litigation.
  • Representing trader in investigations by multiple agencies relating to allegations of spoofing.
  • Represented independent directors in a civil action alleging fraudulent transfer filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
  • Served on firm’s independent compliance consultant team for one of the largest global banks.
  • Represented a global financial institution to conduct internal investigation relating to allegations of employee misconduct.
  • Conducted assessment of compliance program for one of the largest multinational food and beverage companies.
  • Represented former board member and executive in SEC investigation stemming from related investigations and civil litigation.
  • Represented two global financial institutions as third parties in complex commercial litigation.
  • Represented a global bank in MDL tort suit stemming from the multibillion-dollar Robert Allen Stanford Ponzi scheme.*
  • Represented one of the largest U.S. insurance companies in bellwether case and related cases concerning coverage for mass opioid litigation.*
  • Represented a global media analytics firm in securities fraud class action and shareholder derivative action.*

*Prior experience.

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