Ben Stephens

Ben Stephens represents Texas governmental entities and public officials in high-stakes litigation: constitutional claims, condemnation and eminent domain disputes, and the courtroom fights that come with building the infrastructure a growing state needs.

Ben spent his career at big law firms, shouldering the pressures unique to public-sector clients. Long timelines, policy stakes, and controversial and sensitive issues are, and always have been, part and parcel of his work.

He has litigated, tried, and prevailed in disputes involving core government functions: from eminent domain suits on behalf of public entities acquiring thousands of miles of infrastructure right-of-way, to defending class action disputes that aim to rewrite public policy from the ground up. That work has included constitutional issues of first impression, obtaining reversal and rendering of judgment from an en banc federal appellate court in a class action over unconstitutional bail-setting practices, and representing governmental entities in jury trials across the State of Texas. His experience has taken him into the legislative process as well, testifying before legislative committees on eminent domain reform.

Ben is also proud to have co-authored a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief on behalf of eleven of the country's leading state and local government organizations, work later recognized with a national amicus service award. In addition to serving as special and board counsel for some of his governmental clients, Ben has served on the Greater Houston Partnership's Real Estate Advisory Committee, and volunteered with Kids in Need of Defense and The Beacon.

Ben founded David & Stephens to focus obsessively on meeting Texas governmental entities' needs for effective and efficient policy, acquisition, and litigation counsel.