About Ben
Benjamin W. Hill is a trial attorney whose practice focuses on serious personal injury, white collar criminal defense, and complex litigation. Ben has more than a decade of experience litigating and trying cases to verdict in federal and state courts. Prior to co-founding Capezza Hill, LLP, Ben was a Fulbright Scholar in Honduras, served as a law clerk for the Honorable Randolph F. Treece, a Federal Judge in the Northern District of New York, and was a partner at one of the Capital Region’s top litigation and white-collar criminal defense firms.
Ben has been involved in several high-profile cases, including United States v. Bruno, where he was part of the trial team that won an acquittal for the former New York State Senate Majority Leader after multi-week corruption trial, Soares v. State of New York, where he represented New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, successfully securing her dismissal from the case involving the constitutionality of the Commission of Prosecutorial Misconduct. In addition, Ben was recently appointed Special Master by a federal judge in NRA v. Cuomo et al., to assist the Court with discovery and privilege issues in a complex First Amendment case.
A skilled litigator and trial attorney, Ben has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients in a wide array of personal injury, product liability, civil rights, and commercial cases. He is fluent in Spanish and has represented Spanish-speaking clients throughout New York State in personal injury, wrongful death, and criminal defense cases.
Recognition
- Named a Super Lawyer in the practice area of Personal Injury (2020)
- Fulbright Scholarship Recipient, Honduras (2005-2006)
- Men of Valor Award from Frank R. Chapman Memorial Institute (2017)
- Northern District of New York Pro Bono Recognition Award Recipient (2010-2019)
Representative Cases
- Part of the trial team that successfully defended former New York State Senate Majority leader Joseph Bruno.
- $3.1 million settlement in wrongful death case
- Successfully obtained summary judgment and dismissal of multi-million-dollar federal civil rights action brought against the former executive of the New York State Thruway Authority.
- $650,000 judgment after jury verdict obtained in complex commercial case.
$1.5 million settlement in products liability personal injury case against conveyor belt manufacturer. - Successfully obtained summary judgment and dismissal of a multi-million-dollar taxpayer action brought against the former Madison County Attorney.
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice of all charges brought in a major federal drug conspiracy case.
Education
- J.D., Ohio State University Moritz College of Law 2006 (cum laude)
- B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University 2003 (summa cum laude)
Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court, District of Vermont
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Advocacy and Involvement Community & Civic
Ben is an active member of the Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association, where he serves as a Pro Se Assistance Coordinator. He is also a Board Member of the Albany County Bar Association, where he has served as a coordinator and coach for the New York State Mock Trial competition.
Ben lives in Albany, New York with his wife and three daughters. He is a Trustee for the Upper New York United Methodist Church Conference and is also a Trustee in his local congregation, Trinity United Methodist Church.
Leadership Speaking
- Sealed Records and Sex Abuse Cases Brought Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (NYSBA Journal, February 2013)
- Drafting 101: Complaints and Removal Papers (CLE Panelist, NDNY Bar Association, March 2013)
- Representing Your Client in Federal Court (CLE Panelist, National Business Institute, October 2013)
- Introduction to Criminal Cases in Federal Court (CLE Panelist, NDNY Bar Association, November 2015)
- Honest Services Fraud after Skilling (CLE Panelist, NDNY Bar Association August 2017)
What Happens in Chambers: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Federal Court for Law Students and New Attorneys (CLE Panelist, NDNY Bar Association April 2019) - Honing Your Deposition Skills: Basics & Beyond (CLE Panelist, NYSBA November 2019)
Teaching Experience
- The College of Saint Rose, Adjunct Professor of Criminal Law, Evidence, Comparative Law (2012-2015)
- Marist College, Adjunct Professor of Constitutional Law (2007-2008)
Publications
- Sealed Records and Sex Abuse Cases Brought Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (NYSBA Journal, February 2013)
- Drafting 101: Complaints and Removal Papers (CLE Panelist, NDNY Bar Association, March 2013)
- Representing Your Client in Federal Court (CLE Panelist, National Business Institute, October 2013)
- Introduction to Criminal Cases in Federal Court (CLE Panelist, NDNY Bar Association, November 2015)
- Honest Services Fraud after Skilling (CLE Panelist, NDNY Bar Association August 2017)
- What Happens in Chambers: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Federal Court for Law Students and New Attorneys (CLE Panelist, NDNY Bar Association April 2019)
- Honing Your Deposition Skills: Basics & Beyond (CLE Panelist, NYSBA November 2019)