Ben Diamond
St. Petersburg
Ben Diamond is a trusts and estates attorney who advises individuals and families throughout Florida on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and complex fiduciary matters. His clients include high-net-worth families, corporate executives, closely held business owners, beneficiaries, trustees, and other fiduciaries.
Ben takes the time to understand each client’s objectives, family dynamics, and financial circumstances and works closely with clients and their other advisers to develop thoughtful, tax-efficient solutions. Whether designing an estate plan, administering a substantial estate or trust, or advising on a difficult fiduciary issue, Ben focuses on anticipating problems, reducing the potential for conflict, and helping clients make well-informed decisions.
Ben’s experience in fiduciary litigation provides an important perspective on his planning and advisory work. Having represented clients in contested estate and trust matters, he understands how ambiguities, family dynamics, and fiduciary decisions can develop into costly disputes. That experience helps Ben anticipate potential problems in the planning process and identify practical solutions when disputes arise.
Professional Accomplishments
Ben is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a national organization of experienced trusts and estates lawyers. He is an active member of the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section and serves on its Executive Committee. His work with the Section includes leadership roles on legislative and policy issues affecting Florida trusts and estates law.
Ben regularly speaks to lawyers and other professionals on trusts and estates law, estate planning, probate, fiduciary matters, and developments in Florida law. Ben is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law, where he teaches Trusts and Estates and Florida Constitutional Law.
Ben is currently pursuing an LL.M. in Taxation at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where his studies include estate and gift taxation and the income taxation of trusts and estates.
Before entering the Florida Legislature, Ben previously served as General Counsel to Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, leading the legal affairs of the Department of Financial Services and advising Florida’s CFO on significant legal, regulatory, and public policy matters.
Honors & Recognition
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- Rising Star Award, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar
Community Leadership
Public and community service have been a significant part of Ben’s career. From 2016 to 2022, he represented the St. Petersburg area in the Florida House of Representatives. During his legislative service, Ben served on the House Judiciary Committee and Appropriations Committee, and worked on issues involving Florida’s justice system, state budget, environment, water resources, and resiliency.
Ben remains actively involved in civic, cultural, educational, and philanthropic organizations in St. Petersburg, throughout Florida, and nationally. He serves on the Board of Governors of the Yale Alumni Association and on the boards of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic.
Ben is a graduate of Leadership Florida and previously served on its Board of Directors. He lives in St. Petersburg and is deeply engaged in the civic life of his community and the State of Florida.
Education
J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law
– Editor-in-Chief, The Florida Law Review
– Member of the Florida Blue Key Honor Fraternity
– Outstanding Young Alumnus, University of Florida Alumni Association
B.A., Yale University
