Ben Diamond
St. Petersburg
Ben Diamond represents high-net-worth individuals, corporate executives and closely held business owners and counsels charitable and nonprofit organizations on fiduciary matters.
Ben has significant experience in all aspects of fiduciary litigation. He has pursued and defended will contests, defended trustees against breach of fiduciary duty claims and represented beneficiaries bringing such claims. Drawing on his experience in contested matters, Ben also advises clients on complex fiduciary matters involving estate planning and estate and trust administration.
Ben’s clients appreciate his attention to detail, careful preparation and ability to solve complicated problems. He takes the time to fully understand each client’s objectives and family dynamics and helps clients develop cost-effective plans to achieve their goals, minimize the impact of gift, estate and income taxes, and reduce the potential for family conflict.
Professional Accomplishments
Ben is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a professional organization consisting of the nation’s leading trust and estate lawyers. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of The Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. Ben has been appointed by the president of The Florida Bar to serve on the Probate Rules Committee.
Ben is an adjunct professor of law at Stetson University College of Law, where he teaches Trusts and Estates and Florida Constitutional Law. He frequently lectures on issues relating to estate administration, estate planning, and probate and trust litigation.
Ben previously practiced law at the national law firm Akerman Senterfitt. He spent four years in Tallahassee as an attorney for Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, serving as General Counsel to the Chief Financial Officer and the Florida Department of Financial Services.
In that role, Ben supervised a staff of more than 60 government attorneys and was responsible for a wide range of legal and regulatory issues.
Earlier in his career, Ben served as a law clerk to the Honorable Emmett Ripley Cox of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Honors & Recognition
The Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar recognized Ben with the Section’s Rising Star Award for his leadership and service.
Ben has been named as one of Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite” for his work in wills, trusts and estates.
Community Leadership
Ben is passionate about community service and is known for connecting and building relationships in Pinellas County. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2022, representing the 68th District. During his legislative service, he advocated for environmental stewardship for Florida’s land and water resources and was an outspoken advocate for statewide resiliency efforts to prepare Florida for the impacts of climate change. Ben served as ranking minority member of the House Judiciary Committee and as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. His legislative colleagues recognized him as a consensus builder committed to serving his constituents.
Ben currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic and on the Board of Directors of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership. He previously served on the boards of the Pinellas County Urban League and his synagogue, Temple Beth-El.
Ben currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of Florida Law Center Association. Ben is a graduate of Leadership Florida and previously served on its Board of Directors.
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
