Ben Leighton joined Alexander Ricks as an Associate in September 2019. Prior to joining the firm, Ben was an Associate with Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte.
Ben has experience representing clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to closely held entities in federal and state courts. Ben focuses his practice on commercial and real estate litigation.
Ben has been recognized as a North Carolina Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (Business Litigation) and Business North Carolina Legal Elite "Young Gun" (Litigation).
Education
- Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2016)
- University of Michigan (B.A., Political Science, with Honors, 2010)
Admissions
- All courts in North Carolina
Honors and Awards
- Order of the Coif
- Wake Forest University Law Review
- Staff Member (2014-2015)
- Board of Editors (2015-2016)
- CALI Award: Contracts, Torts, Pre-Trial Practice and Procedure, Business Organizations, Introduction to the In-House Counsel Role, Community Law and Business Clinic, Sports Law, and Securities Regulation
Affiliations
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Ben was raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He enjoys spending time traveling with his wife and daughter, attending sporting events, and hiking around the state with his dogs.
- Defending clients across the state from claims including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, defamation, securities violations, conspiracy, misappropriation of trade secrets, and unfair and deceptive trade practices;
- Analyzing complex legal disputes and preparing legal strategies to maximize results for clients;
- Drafting legal memoranda at all stages of litigation (including appellate briefs); and
- Preparing legal pleadings both initiating and defending against lawsuits
