Ben is a founding partner of Johnston Van Arsdale Martin, specializing in HOA law, real estate law, construction law, contract law, business law, and related litigation. His clients have ranged from individuals and businesses facing local legal issues to Fortune 50 corporations involved in nationwide problems. Through his multifaceted practice, Ben has navigated clients through all types of legal dilemmas, including CCIOA compliance, construction defect allegations, the nuances of real estate transactions, small business operations, and litigating claims in state and federal courts across the country.
Before launching JVAM, Ben built a foundation for his practice working at all levels of the legal system. He spent many years with a global law firm in Kansas City, managing commercial and products liability litigation in various state and federal courts for multi-national companies. Ben also spent time in New York City working at one of the world’s top law firms where he handled mergers and acquisitions, and counseled clients on corporate governance, securities laws, and financial regulations. Ben developed in-depth trial and appellate court skills while working as a prosecuting attorney for the City of Saint Louis and clerking for the Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court.
Ben is happily married to Kristin Johnston, a local nurse practitioner. Ben and Kristin are the proud parents of two boys, Teddy (4) and Sawyer (2). In his free time, Ben loves to play with his kids, ski, raft, fish, golf, mountain bike, and spend time at his family’s cabin.
EDUCATION
- University of Missouri – Columbia (2008 J.D.)
- William Jewell College (2005 B.S.)
- MODL Trial Academy (2014)
BAR ADMISSIONS
- State of Colorado (2015)
- State of Missouri (2009)
- State of New York (2008)
- U.S. District Court, State of Colorado (2015)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- pro hac admission in various state and federal courts
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
- Partner, Balcomb & Green, P.C., Glenwood Springs, CO (2015-2021)
- Senior Associate, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP, Kansas City, MO (2011-2015)
- Law Clerk, Missouri Supreme Court (2010-2011)
- Special Assistant Circuit Attorney, St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office (2009-2010)
- Associate, Hunton & Williams, LLP, New York, NY (2008-2009)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:
- River Valley Ranch HOA (Executive Board, 2018-present)
- Roaring Fork Leadership (Board of Directors, 2016 – 2018)
- 9th District Bar Association (Treasurer, 2016; Vice President, 2016; President, 2018)
- Executive Council for the Young Lawyer’s Division of the Colorado Bar Association (2016 – 2018)
- American Bar Association’s Sales Practices Subcommittee (Co-Chair, 2015)
- Colorado Bar AssociationsYoung Lawyer Division’s (Liaison, Construction Law Group, 2015)
- Member, Aspen Young Professional Association (2015)
- Member, Roaring Fork Young Professional Association (2015)
- Roaring Fork Leadership Academy (2015)
- AmeriCorps Service (2009-2010)
- Vice-Chair, Missouri Bar Association’s Tort Law Committee (2010-2011)
PUBLICATIONS:
- Conspiracy Liability: if the Underlying Wrong Doesn’t Fit, You Must Acquit, (American Bar Association, 2015).
- Class Actions and Mass Torts Answer Book (Co-Author, Practising Law Institute, 2015)
- Consumers Must Show Manufacturer’ False Ads are “Literally False”, (Contributor, American Bar Association, 2015)
- Cotenants Trumping Cotenants- The 8th Circuit takes a diverse stance on Cotenants’ Authority Under the Fourth Amendment (Missouri Law Review, 2008)
- Local Bar Handbook Resource Handbook (Colorado Bar Association, 2018)