Ben concentrates his practice in the areas of sophisticated estate and gift tax planning, asset protection planning, guardianship matters, charitable planning, and estate and trust administration. Ben also devotes a significant portion of his practice to complex will and trust controversy and litigation. This includes representing trustees, executors and beneficiaries in a variety of matters such as:

• Breach of fiduciary duty claims
• Disinheritance planning
• Trust reformation and construction disputes
• Claims of undue influence
• Competency cases
• Tortious interference matters

Click here to view a list of some sophisticated estate and gift tax planning, asset protection planning and charitable planning representative cases.

Click here to view a list of trust controversy representative cases.

Ben has been recognized by various independent organizations on their top lists of top attorneys. Leading Lawyers Network named Ben as one of the Top Attorneys in Illinois in Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law. He has been recognized in the selective roll of Illinois Super Lawyer (2016 - 2023) and Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2009-2015) in the areas of Estate Planning & Probate and Estate & Trust Litigation. Ben is also a member of the Ravinia Festival Planned Giving Committee.

Before joining Strauss Malk & Feder LLP, Ben practiced with two prominent Chicago law firms.

Education

• Northwestern University School of Law, J.D.
• University of Illinois, B.A., Economics, summa cum laude

Licensed to Practice

• Illinois

Associations & Recognition

• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow (2017 - present)
• Illinois Super Lawyer (2016 - present)
• Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2009 - 2015)
• Leading Lawyers Network – Top Attorneys in Illinois
• IICLE – Most Valuable Volunteer of the Year (2011)
• Lake County Estate Planning Council, Past President

Publications

"A Modern Look at the Enforceability of No-Contest Provisions," Trusts & Estates Magazine - November 2020

“The Promissory Note Problem: Why Refinancing a Promissory Note May Create Income Tax and Gift Tax Consequences,” Trusts & Estates Magazine.

“Advising the Client with Sudden Wealth” (co-author), Journal of Taxation of Investments.

Presentations

Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Business Valuation, Financial & Tax Issues in Divorce 2019 Course—“Top Ten Things that Estate Planning Attorneys Want Divorce Attorneys to Know – But They Often Don’t,” January 2019

Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Interesting Issues in Estate Administration Course—“Allowances & Elections Against the Will,” November 2018

Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. Conference– “Managing the Complex Dynamics of High-Net-Worth Families with Divorces and Multiple Marriages,” October 2018

The Chicago Trust Company—“What it means to be a Trustee -- whether it’s really an honor, the time, risk and other intangibles that are involved,” March 2017

Navigating the Trustee's Duty to Disclose - How Much is Enough, or Too Much? Beneficiaries' Rights to Information, Chicago Estate Planning Counsel, March 2014

Additionally, Ben has presented before the Chicago Estate Planning Council (CEPC), American Law Institute (ALI), Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) and the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) regarding various estate planning and trust administration issues, such as:

• "Common Pitfalls for Trustees & How to Avoid Related Litigation"
• "Refining, Modifying, or Rehabilitating Irrevocable Trust Using your Jurisdiction's Virtual Representation Statute"
• "Is There a Way to Refine, Reform or Otherwise Rehabilitate the Inflexible Irrevocable Trust"
• "Planning Dreams and Administration Nightmares: Chilling, Real Life Stories of Plans That Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time"
• "Estate and Gift Tax Audits"
• "Disinheritance Planning"
• "Twilight Competency: Protecting The Not-Yet-Incompetent Who Are Fading, Forgetful, or Foolish"
• "Basic Forms and Philosophies of Asset Protection"
• "Top Ten Things the EP Attorney should ask but often Forgets"