John Ben Blanchard

Contact John Ben Blanchard

John Ben Blanchard is currently of counsel to the firm and is based in the San Antonio area. He is a litigator with more than 39 years of experience in both state and federal court. Through his commitment to preparation and ethical advocacy, John Ben has established a trusting relationship with his clients, the bar, and the numerous courts before which he has appeared. John Ben has an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell and has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer in Business Litigation Law (2016 – 2023). Super Lawyers is a Thomson Reuters service.

Since 1985, John Ben’s practice has focused on complex, commercial litigation. He has an extremely diverse range of experience, including experience in oil and gas disputes, healthcare regulatory actions, qui tam suits, as well as construction, fair housing, condemnation, consumer rights, property tax, tort, and breach of contract disputes. He also has appellate experience, having argued cases before numerous Texas courts of appeal, the Texas Supreme Court, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

John Ben heads a skilled and well-balanced litigation section. His experience with large cases ensures that Brown & Fortunato can meet the needs of its clients, regardless of the size or complexity of the dispute.

In addition to his commitment to his clients, John Ben has been actively involved in numerous bar and civic endeavors. John Ben served eleven years as a Trustee of the Amarillo Independent School District, including two terms as president and two terms as vice-president. He served two separate terms on the Amarillo Hospital District’s Board of Managers, and twice on the Amarillo Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board of directors. He served six years on the State Bar grievance committee in Amarillo, including two terms as its chair. John Ben is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Amarillo Bar Association. He is licensed to practice in Texas courts, as well as the Northern, Western and Eastern U.S. District Courts and before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

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. 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. He and his partner won the John Lee Smith Memorial Mock Trial Championship. John Ben was later selected a member of the Board of Barristers, where he served as Vice Chair.

John Ben and Rhonda, his wife for the past 40 years, have three adult children, and a growing cadre of grandchildren. In addition to his community involvement, he enjoys golf, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.