Originally from Clintwood, Virginia, Ben moved to Knoxville in 1997 to attend law school at the University of Tennessee.  He’s been a resident of Knoxville ever since.

While in law school, Ben clerked for two different Southwest Virginia law firms before accepting a position with Frantz, McConnell & Seymour, LLP as an associate attorney. He became a partner of the firm in 2007.

Ben’s practice focuses on zoning and land use, where he regularly guides clients through the various legislative and administrative approvals necessary for the development and use of their property. He is formally an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law where he taught Zoning and Land Use.  He also maintains a practice in the areas of general civil litigation and business litigation and has represented hundreds of clients at every level of state court, from General Sessions Court to the Tennessee Supreme Court, and also in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Ben serves as legal counsel to the Oak Grove Homeschool Cooperative, was a past President of their Board of Directors, and regularly represents parents regarding homeschooling issues in Tennessee.

Due to the ever-evolving legal system, Ben has been involved with several legal organizations, including the Knoxville and Tennessee Bar Associations, the Defense Research Institute, Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, UT Alumni Law School Council (2009 – 2012) and he was a 2004 graduate of the International Academy of Defense Counsel’s Trial Academy. He is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as AV Preeminent® in litigation, personal injury, and general practice, which is the highest rating provided.  He is further selected by his peers for in The Best Lawyers in America publication for his expertise in Administrative / Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Real Estate, and Real Estate Law.  Additionally, he was named as “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation-Real Estate Knoxville by Best Lawyers in 2025 and “Lawyer of the Year” in Real Estate Law in Knoxville for 2027.  He is currently co-chair of the Knoxville Bar Association’s Real Estate Section.

Active civically, he is a board member of the East Tennessee Historical Society and the East Tennessee Historical Society Foundation, where he serves as their Recording Secretary, and on the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association and the Lovell Hills Resident’s Association Boards. 

While spending time with his wife and children is his top priority when he is away from the office, he also tries to find time to ride motorcycles with his son or to go clay-shooting.  An avid film buff, Ben’s favorite genres are Spaghetti Westerns and Japanese Chanbara films.

EDUCATION

• B.A. Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia, 1997 (Magna Cum Laude)
• J.D. University of Tennessee, 2000

Practice Areas