Attorney/Partner
Ben Diamond focuses his practice on estate planning, probate administration and litigation involving wills, trusts and guardianships. Ben has successfully handled cases involving the breach of fiduciary duties by trustees, the removal of fiduciaries, will contests, contested guardianships, and disputes relating to capacity and undue influence.
Ben’s probate and trust litigation experience informs his work as an estate planner. Ben takes the time to fully understand his clients’ objectives and family dynamics. He helps clients develop cost-effective plans to achieve their goals, avoid family fights, and minimize the impact of gift, estate and income taxes.
Ben represents high -net worth individuals, corporate executives and closely held business owners. Ben’s practice also includes representing his clients’ businesses in litigation in Florida’s trial and appellate courts.
Professional Accomplishments
Ben was inducted in Florida Trend’s Legal Elite for Wills, Trusts and Estates for several years including most recently for 2020. He is a graduate of the inaugural class of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel’s (ACTEC) Florida Fellow Institute. Ben serves on the Executive Committee of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar. . In 2017, he received the Section’s “Rising Star” Award for his leadership and service. Ben has served as Co-Chair of the St. Petersburg Committee of the St. Petersburg Bar Association. Ben frequently lectures on issues relating to estate administration, estate planning, and probate and trust litigation.
Community Leadership
In November 2016, Ben was elected to serve in the Florida House of Representatives. He represents Florida’s sixty-eight house district in Pinellas County.
Ben serves on the Board of Directors of the Pinellas County Urban League and the Tampa Orlando Pinellas Jewish Federation. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of his synagogue, Temple Beth-El. Ben a graduate of Leadership Florida and previously served on Leadership Florida’s Board of Directors.
Prior Work Experience
Ben previously practiced law at the national law firm Akerman Senterfitt. He spent four years in Tallahassee as an attorney for Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, where he served as General Counsel to the Chief Financial Officer and the Florida Department of Financial Services. In this capacity, Ben supervised a staff of over 60 government attorneys and was responsible for a wide range of legal and regulatory issues. Prior to his work in state government, Ben served as a law clerk to the Honorable Emmett Ripley Cox on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Education
J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law, 2003.
– Editor-in-Chief, The Florida Law Review
– Member of the Florida Blue Key Honor Fraternity
– Recognized by the University of Florida Alumni Association as an Outstanding Young Alumnus, 2013.
B.A., Yale University, 2000.
Court Admissions
Ben is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the United States Tax Court, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and all Florida state courts.
