J. Bennett Clark
J. Bennett Clark
J. Bennett Clark
Biography
Ben represents high-profile companies in their most critical business litigation matters throughout the United States. For more than 30 years, Ben has dedicated much of his practice is directed to the full array of intellectual property lawsuits (patent; false advertising; trademark; unfair competition; copyright; trade secrets), and he maintains an active caseload in other areas of commercial (contract; business tort; antitrust) and white collar criminal litigation as well.
In addition to courtroom and counseling work, Ben enjoys teaching and writing on trial advocacy, and as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers regularly serves as professor and demonstrator at the University of Missouri Law School’s Intercession Trial Practice program and several other trial-focused “how to” programs for practitioners. For years, he was designated lecturer on Closing Argument at the University of Virginia Trial Advocacy Institute, attended by practitioners from across the country and select law students.
As a former Assistant U.S. attorney, Ben was responsible for several notable federal criminal prosecutions, including the Bohemian Savings & Loan bank fraud.
Many of his cases have involved disputes into the nine figures, and he was a member of a trial team that obtained a $105,000,000 antitrust verdict against a major telecommunications company, for years a record result for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Ben has represented BCLP at such events as the Take Steps for Kids Running Project to support Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, and regularly serves as counsel of record in pro bono matters on behalf of the firm. He has been the speaker on legal ethics at several continuing legal education events for clients, firm members, and other members of the bar, and was recently selected to serve as chair of the Federal Practice Memorial Trust.
Civic Involvement & Honors
- Chambers USA, Intellectual Property (Band 3), 2016-2024
- The Best Lawyers in America: Best Lawyers - Litigation: Intellectual Property, Litigation: Patent, Patent law, Trademark Law, 2006-2024
- Missouri Lawyers Weekly, Intellectual Property POWER List, 2022
- Lawyer of the Year, St. Louis, Litigation - Patent, 2008, 2013, 2019
- Lawyer of the Year, St. Louis, Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2011
- Mathews-Dickey Boys' & Girls' Club - Board Member
- Washington University School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Advanced Trial Advocacy; Trademark Infringement and Licensing
- Kirkwood R-7 Board of Education - Past President
- Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health, State of Missouri
- Champ Clark Honey Shuck Restoration, Inc. - Past President, Board Member
Professional Affiliations
- American College of Trial Lawyers – Fellow
- Special Assistant Attorney General, State of Missouri
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri – Trustee, Federal Practice Memorial Trust; Local Patent Rules Committee; Differentiated Case Management Task Force; Civil Justice Reform Act Committee; Bar Admissions Committee; Certified Mediator
- Advisor, Establishment of Taiwanese Intellectual Property Rights Court
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis – Litigation Reform Task Force; Federal Litigation and Practice Committee; Media Relations Committee
- Office of U.S. Attorney, for a time assigned to Presidential Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force; Trial Testimony School for Federal Agent – Instructor; Federal Grand Jury Liaison
- St. Louis Bar Foundation – Governor
- University of Virginia Trial Advocacy Institute – Faculty Member and Lecturer
Admissions
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Missouri, 1980
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United States Supreme CourtUnited States Courts of Appeals for the Eighth and Federal CircuitsUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
Education
University of Virginia, J.D., 1980
Duke University, B.A., cum laude, 1976
Related Practice Areas
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Intellectual Property and Technology Disputes
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Business & Commercial Disputes
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Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets
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Appellate
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Litigation & Dispute Resolution
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Trade Secrets
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Finance
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Regulation, Compliance & Advisory
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Patents Litigation
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Trademark Litigation
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Payment Systems
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Fintech
Resources
Publications
Ben has been a frequent writer and speaker on various aspects of the law, ethics and history. For several years he was a nationally syndicated writer on legal topics, under the name of Under Analysis, and also has written columns under the names of Unsolicited Remarks and Engaging People. His work has appeared on the editorial pages of major newspapers.
Speaking Engagements
Ben is a regular speaker at CLEs, naturalization ceremonies and civic events, and has frequently appeared on television and radio to address newsworthy legal topics.
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