John Ben Blanchard is a litigator with over twenty-five years of experience in both state and federal court. After practicing in Beaumont, Austin and Amarillo for twenty-six years, John Ben joined Brown & Fortunato, P.C. in 2009. Through his commitment to preparation and ethical advocacy, John Ben has established a trusting relationship with both his clients and the numerous courts before whom he has appeared.

Since 1985, John Ben’s practice has focused on complex, commercial litigation. He has an extremely diverse range of experience, involving disputes in oil & gas matters, construction, lender liability, usury, civil rights, fair housing, federal RICO, condemnation, consumer rights, property tax matters, fraud, and breach of contract. He also has appellate experience, having argued cases before numerous courts of appeal and the Texas Supreme Court.

John Ben joined Brown & Fortunato, P.C. with the goal of enhancing its already experienced and well balanced litigation section. His experience with large cases ensures that Brown & Fortunato, P.C. can meet the needs of its clients, regardless of size or complexity of the dispute. His experience and training as a mediator also gives John Ben valuable insight necessary to advise clients on ways to assess the risks of litigation.

In addition to his commitment to his clients, John Ben has been actively involved in numerous bar and civic endeavors. John Ben is currently in his second term as a Trustee of the Amarillo Independent School District, having been reelected in May 2009. John Ben also served two separate terms on the Amarillo Hospital District’s Board of Managers, as well as its representative on the Amarillo Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board of directors. He served six years on State Bar grievance committee in Amarillo, serving two terms as its chair. John Ben is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Amarillo Bar Association. He is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

John Ben was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. The son of a state senator, he grew up in the halls of government, learning the importance of commitment to principle and community. After graduating from high school in 1974, John Ben attended the University of Texas and Texas Tech University. He received his B.A. in 1979 from Texas Tech, and his J.D. in 1982 from the Texas Tech School of Law. While in law school, John Ben was active in trial advocacy. In 1980, he won the John Lee Smith Memorial Mock Trial Championship. John Ben was later selected to serve on the Board of Barristers, where he served as Vice Chair.

John Ben and Rhonda, his wife for the past thirty years, have three children. In addition to his community involvement, he enjoys golf, fishing and spending time with his family and friends.