Ben Taylor focuses his practice on appellate proceedings and trial court hearings. Ben was with Fulbright & Jaworski between 1988 and 2014 before joining Ted B. Lyon & Associates in September 2014. He is adept in the appeal of commercial and non-commercial torts, products liability, insurance matters and indemnity issues.
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Ben's practice also includes a concentration on procedural issues such as summary judgments and assisting with, and making the record on, the court's charge to a jury. As an appellate advocate, Ben also assists trial counsel with the preservation of issues that may be important for an appeal.
Interests
When time permits, Ben enjoys reading Tom Clancy novels and staying abreast of recent technological advancements involving computers, computer networks and the Internet.
Languages
Spanish, limited fluency
Year Joined Firm
2014
Areas of Practice
Appellate
Dispute resolution and litigation
Certified Legal Specialties
Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1992
Co-author, "Texas Supreme Court Extends Notice-Prejudice Rule to Advertising Injury Coverage," Fulbright Briefing, January 16, 2008
Co-author, "Supreme Court's 5-4 Reversal of $79.5 Million Punitive Damage Award May Have Broad Impact, But Excessiveness of Award Not Addressed," Fulbright Alert, February 20, 2007
Co-contributor, "Appellate Law and Practice: 'Not Just the Facts," Legal Resource Guide for the Media, Dallas Bar Association, October 2005
"Methodology of a Pattern Jury Charge Committee," The Advocate, State Bar Litigation Section Report, Vol. 31, Summer 2005
Co-author, "Jury Charge Under House Bill 4 (impact of House Bill 4, unanimous jurors, State Farm opinions on punitives, Casteel case, exemplary damages)," 27th Annual Advanced Civil Trial Course, State Bar of Texas, August, September and November 2004
Co-author, "Recovery of Contingency Fees After Arthur Andersen vs. Perry Equipment; Plaintiff and Defense Perspectives," Houston Bar Association Seminar, November 1997
Co-author, "Court's Charge Update," Professional Development Program: Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, State Bar of Texas, June 1995
Co-author, "Premises Liability Law Update," Professional Development Program: Wrongful Death & Personal Injury Arising from Premises Liability, State Bar of Texas, April 1988
Co-author, "Contribution and Indemnity: Including Mary Carters and Joint and Several Liability," Professional Development Program: Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, State Bar of Texas, July/August 1987
Representative Cases
Assistance with pre-trial preparations and later court of appeals and Texas Supreme Court merits briefing to defend summary judgment granted in favor of plaintiff health care provider in action against third party administrator to recover on over 600 claims that were not paid timely. As a result, trial court's judgment for health care provider was affirmed through all appeals.
Assisted with trial court briefing, briefed and argued in court of appeals, and briefed in Texas Supreme Court, complex dispute over electronic game distribution agreement. Court of appeals reversed judgment, rendered judgment that opposing party take nothing, rendered judgment that party recover opposing party, and remanded case for determination and awards of pre-judgment interest and attorney's fees to party. Texas Supreme Court denied opposing party's petition for review after considering full merits briefing.
Representative Clients
Assistance with jury charge record, and also post-verdict and appellate briefing, in multi-death case against trucking company arising out of highway collision between eighteen-wheeler and passenger vehicle; Texas Supreme Court eventually decided trial court abused its discretion, and committed reversible errors, in overruling defense objections and permitting jury to hear illegal immigration evidence, including fact that driver may have misrepresented facts to authorities in order to work in the United States
Representation of an oil company in an environmental case involving allegations of fraud in a corporate transaction; briefed and argued on appeal for the oil company, the defendant appellee, and as a result, the court affirmed a judgment on the verdict for the defendant
Assistance with jury charge and briefed and argued for the defendant/appellee/conditional cross-appellant in a case involving alleged fraudulent transfers resulting in an affirmed judgment
Classes/Seminars
Appellate Supersedeas Update, Mesquite Bar Association Meeting, Mesquite, Texas, February 2015
Panelist, "Appellate Annual Review: Cases that Matter to Business? Updates from the Texas Supreme Court," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. CLE Seminar, Houston, Texas, October 2011
Panelist, "Trends, Developments and Techniques in Texas Appellate Practice," Dallas Bar Association Appellate Law Section CLE Seminar, Dallas, Texas, August 2007
State Bar Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, Pattern Jury Charge Conference Presentation, July/August 2007
Panelist, "Enhancing Your Appellate Prospects," Dallas Bar Association, Appellate Law Section CLE Seminar, Dallas, Texas, May 2006
State Bar Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, Pattern Jury Charge Conference Presentation, June/July/August 2003
"Trends and Impact of Supreme Court Opinions on Appellate Practitioners," State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course, Richardson, Texas, September 2000
Honors and Awards
Texas Trial Lawyers Association - John Howie Spirit of Mentorship Award, 2016
The Best Lawyers in America - appellate law, Best Lawyers, 2008 - 2023
Lawyer of the Year - Dallas appellate practice, Best Lawyers, 2013
Texas Super Lawyer - appellate, Thomson Reuters, 2003 - 2023
Texas Super Lawyer - top 100 attorneys in Dallas, Thomson Reuters, 2004
The Best Lawyers in Dallas - D Magazine, 2003
The Best Lawyers in Dallas - D Magazine, 2005
The Best Lawyers in Dallas - D Magazine, 2011
The Best Lawyers in Dallas - D Magazine, 2012
The Best Lawyers in Dallas - D Magazine, 2013
The Best Lawyers in Dallas - D Magazine, 2014
The Best Lawyers in Dallas - D Magazine, 2018
The Best Lawyers in Dallas - D Magazine, 2020
Professional Associations and Memberships
State Bar of Texas, Appellate Section
State Bar of Texas, Pattern Jury Charge Committee, General Negligence and Intentional Personal Torts, 1995 - 2004
State Bar of Texas, Pattern Jury Charge Committee, General Negligence and Intentional Personal Torts, Chair, 2004 - 2006
Dallas Bar Association, Appellate Law Section, Chair, 2005
Dallas Bar Association, Appellate Law Section, Vice-Chair, 2004
Dallas Bar Association, Appellate Law Section, Secretary, 2003
Dallas Bar Association, Appellate Law Section, Treasurer, 2002
Past Employment Positions
Justice William Kilgarlin, Supreme Court of Texas, Briefing Attorney, 1987 - 1988
Fulbright & Jaworski, 1988 - 2014
Fraternities/Sororities
Phi Beta Kappa
* Super Lawyers is an attorney rating service by Thomson Reuters
* By Best Lawyers Rankings
The best!
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bu te
5/02/2024
I highly recommend Christy Hester for your legal needs. Professional, knowledgable, kind, and just the person you want in your corner to champion your needs. I feel fortunate to have crossed paths.
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Kathleen D.
1/24/2024
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Brenda Velazquez
8/24/2023
I hired this amazing team after I was injured in a car accident. They worked so hard to get me the treatments I needed and made sure I had nothing to worry about, except healing. They were so nice and showed great dedication to my well being and were so nice to work with.
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Jordyn Rabalais
7/22/2023
Attorney Christy Hester and staff were extremely helpful handling my auto accident case. I would use them again, hopefully won't need to!
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John Taylor
7/22/2023
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Barry Jumper
6/10/2023
Marquette Wolf and his powerful team are a Godsent to my 2 little girls (ages 4 & 8 at the time) and I. In a single moment, I became a homeless, single parent, shattered widow. On Mon, Aug 31st, 2020, a propane explosion killed my husband and turned my home into matchsticks and toothpicks. In less than 48 hours, Marquette and his team of investigators had flown to MO and were on-site protecting me from all the ambulance chasers as well as the mere hope of any evidence left. I don't remember much that day when he arrived, I was very shaken and lifeless, but I do remember a still small voice within 5 mins of meeting Marquette that confirmed he was exactly who needed to be there. Not once in 777 days have, I ever questioned that confirmation. His team went to priceless lengths of even digging through rebel and debris, while still burning hot, trying to find my husband's wedding ring from where his body was found. Marquette was so accommodating with the healing process of my heart, patiently assisting me to attend every deposition and court hearing, while I tried desperately to understand exactly what happened in those moments that tragically stole my husband's life & all our dreams with our children and future. I was confident that a wrongful death trial would somehow bring some kind of justice to the thoughtless actions of the guilty and he was willing to fight that fight with me till the end, simply because that was the closure I needed. His word is IRON! Now, over 2 years later, EVEN IF the outcome was different and didn't bring the financial security for a lifetime for my girls and I that it has - I would still choose this firm, I am confident God ordered our steps together!
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Amy Schofield
1/08/2023
Richard Mann and his team did a great job representing me. Would recommend them to anyone!
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jessica lowery
1/05/2023
Finding yourself in an unexpected situation that is life changing is dreadful. The stress and worry can be overwhelming. Enter Ted Lyons and his professional and understanding team.
Mr. Lyons not only provided guidance but came to be someone that my brother and I could trust wholeheartedly with his future.
The unknown is scary when dealing with a company who morally and ethically failed you. The anger and resentment can be tough thing to handle.
Many Thanks to Mr. Lyons and his team. We owe you more then could ever be repaid. You and your colleagues lifted us up, ensured a financial future for my brother, and helped make sure he will be on solid ground.
When life tosses you a curve ball, believe in Ted Lyons and colleagues to have your back.
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Marvin Jackson
6/09/2022
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Ledora Jackson
1/16/2022
Christy Hester recently helped me with a personal injury case involving a car accident. Before hiring her, I had several medical bills and I was up against an insurance company that dragged their feet and tried their best to place fault elsewhere. Christy stepped in and took care of it all!
Christy’s credentials are quite impressive, and she equally impressed me with her people skills. She is an extremely competent, hard working, trustworthy attorney, and she navigated my case seamlessly. She spent countless hours doing research and fighting hard for my case. She proved how good she is at using tactics and negotiation techniques that allowed us to settle prior to going to court. Christy has a caring attitude and was extremely attentive to my needs. The level of attention and results that I received greatly surpassed every expectation that I had!
If you need a personally injury attorney, I highly recommend Christy Hester and her team!
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Teresa Rollins
7/13/2021
So I was in a bad industrial accident over 3 years ago! I was recommended to this firm. A call was made to them and within a few hours Marquette Wolf was standing in front of me in the hospital room. From that moment on Marquette Wolf, Christy Hester and their Paralegal Bonnie Duran were sharks in the water ripping apart those responsible for the accident I was in!My family and I are extremely grateful to this team! Our case is over and we couldn't be happier! If your looking for weak attorneys this is not the place to go but if your looking for people who are going to win, I highly recommend calling them cause they're winners!
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Justin Chambers
7/13/2021
Christy Hester recently helped me with a personal injury case involving a car accident. Before hiring her, I had several medical bills and I was up against an insurance company that dragged their feet and tried their best to place fault elsewhere. Christy stepped in and took care of it all!Christy’s credentials are quite impressive, and she equally impressed me with her people skills. She is an extremely competent, hard working, trustworthy attorney, and she navigated my case seamlessly. She spent countless hours doing research and fighting hard for my case. She proved how good she is at using tactics and negotiation techniques that allowed us to settle prior to going to court. Christy has a caring attitude and was extremely attentive to my needs. The level of attention and results that I received greatly surpassed every expectation that I had!If you need a personally injury attorney, I highly recommend Christy Hester and her team!
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Teresa Rollins
7/13/2021
So I was in a bad industrial accident over 3 years ago! I was recommended to this firm. A call was made to them and within a few hours Marquette Wolf was standing in front of me in the hospital room. From that moment on Marquette Wolf, Christy Hester and their Paralegal Bonnie Duran were sharks in the water ripping apart those responsible for the accident I was in!
My family and I are extremely grateful to this team! Our case is over and we couldn't be happier! If your looking for weak attorneys this is not the place to go but if your looking for people who are going to win, I highly recommend calling them cause they're winners!
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Justin Chambers
7/12/2021
Yes Dennis did a amazing job, thank you Dennis Mike B
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Michael Thomas B.
1/29/2020
Christy Hester came through for me in the 11th hour to represent me in an auto accident claim. Though it took 3 years to come to a conclusion, she and Linda persevered with me and we prevailed. Thank you!!
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Jennifer B.
11/13/2019
Great people
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Billy T.
9/19/2019
Absolutely great! Very kind and honest. Will keep them for the near future. They all helped in so many ways! Nicole C.
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Nicole C.
9/19/2019
We had a great experience with Linda Kinkaid and their office staff. Communication is key and that is one thing Linda was great at. Not to mention very convenient we were able to review and sign docs online. Definitely will refer others, and friends and family as well. Thank you for the great work you did.
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Merly C.
9/10/2019
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Hollie Bushnell
8/31/2019
Ted and Marquette worked tirelessly on our case (Waldrip vs. U-Haul), for which we are very thankful. They kept us updated on everything from beginning to end, and even went to my mom and dad's house to visit with them after our case was over. That showed us they weren't just their clients. What my dad went through also had an affect on them. We will never forget what Ted, Marquette, and the rest of the staff did for us. Ted Lyon and Associates are the best!
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Dan and Dinah S.
8/27/2019
GREAT STAFF AND PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL VERY PLEASED
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Ian M.
3/13/2019
Outstanding service. Always answered emails, always called back. Ted Lyon got me the maximum settlement regarding a car accident. Special thanks to David Wallace.
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Jeannie W.
7/30/2018
Good communication throughout legal process. Positive results!
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Lena D.
7/08/2018
Great customer Service. Quick to get back with you.
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Donna N.
7/08/2018
Everyone did a wonderful job helping us. We would recommend Ted Lyon & Associates to our friends and family.
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Maria T.
6/18/2018
Great Lawyer working hard to get my husband the money he deserves.
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Tami Studer
10/27/2019
I’d like to share some information about this firm. My mother passed away in the year 2021and after contacting this firm to represent me and my mother in her wrongful death they decided that they were too busy in another lawsuit to continue doing discovery on my mother’s death. They contacted me less than one month before her statue of limitation was up to say they wouldn’t be able to represent me. This is very unethical. They gave me a list of a few law Firms to call to see if I could find someone to represent me, but no one could now, due to the sensitivity of the statue of limitation coming up and I could no longer file this lawsuit due to the staff’s inconsistencies and unprofessionalism. Ted Lyons assistant, Mandy seemed to be disturbed to hear of the many calls I had made but none were returned. She apologized for the calls not being returned, and was going to investigate this info and get back with me. She claimed “we don’t run our office that way, so I will personally check into it.”Well, that was three weeks ago and as of yesterday Mandy is unethically now, there are still no answers and she said yesterday that she spoke with Mr. Lyons and he’s not returned her call to let her know what he has decided to do. I did let Mandy know that this review will be taken place. Be careful. Make sure you know who you’re talking to and make notes. Maybe this won’t happen to somebody else. The Statue of limitations is not a joke! They knew this was a time sensitive case but they just don’t care! I reported it to the Bar Association too!
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Nancy Dutton
9/04/2023
Verdicts and Settlements
We are Texas Trial Lawyers that have won many cases against large corporations, insurance companies, and municipalities Below are some of the entities: