Ben's education is diverse.  He graduated from the University of 

South Dakota cum laude in 1981 with a B.S. in Business Administration.  He 

then obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Southern 

California Gould School of Law in 1984.  He is admitted to practice in all 

State and Federal courts in California, including the Ninth circuit Court of 

Appeals.  

Attorneys are professionals, a designation that Ben believes calls for 

community responsibility.  Some lawyers refuse to engage in conversations, 

afraid to provide simple answers to simple questions.  Ben welcomes the 

opportunity to improve the community's perception of the legal profession 

through discourse and service.  Serving for 19 years on the Board of 

Directors for Community SeniorServ, Ben worked with the Orange County Board 

of Supervisors and its Area Agency on Aging to improve the quality of life 

for all older adults of Orange County, including the frail and homebound.