Benjamin D. Wilson

Benjamin D. Wilson is Of Counsel in the Dallas office of Gibson Dunn, where he is a member of the firm’s Appellate and Constitutional Law Practice Group and State Attorneys General Practice Group.

Ben has presented oral argument in the Texas Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Second, and Seventh Circuits, and the Texas appellate courts. He has also often represented clients before the United States Supreme Court and other state and federal courts of appeals. In addition, Ben often handles critical or dispositive motions in both state and federal trial courts.

Ben’s deep experience in government means that he often advises companies and executives facing state or federal investigations or involved in high-stakes litigation or enforcement actions. Drawing on his experience as Deputy Solicitor General, where he was instrumental in shaping the state’s strategy in many of its highest-profile cases, Ben has particular expertise in litigation and investigations involving state government.

Prior to rejoining Gibson Dunn, Ben worked as lead counsel for commercial appellate matters for the world’s largest retailer. Before that, as Deputy Solicitor General in the Office of the Texas Solicitor General, he successfully briefed and argued many of the state’s most significant appeals, briefed and advised on many of the state’s most important trial court matters, and helped craft the state’s legal strategy in its biggest cases. As Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy, Ben led the Department’s efforts to confirm federal judicial nominees, including Justice Amy Coney Barrett and over eighty lower court judges. Earlier in his career, Ben served as Counsel to Senator Ted Cruz on the Senate Judiciary Committee and as Special Counsel to Senator Cruz for the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Ben clerked for Judge Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and later for Judge James C. Ho of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Ben received his law degree with honors from the University of Chicago Law School and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University magna cum laude with honors in history.

Ben is a member of the Texas Bar. He is admitted to practice before the Second, Fifth, Seventh, and Ninth Circuits and before the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Western Districts of Texas.

Capabilities

• Appellate and Constitutional Law
• Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice
• Litigation
• Product Liability
• State Attorneys General

Credentials

Education:

• University of Chicago - 2012 Juris Doctor
• Washington & Lee University - 2009 Bachelor of Arts

Admissions:

• Texas Bar

Clerkships:

• US Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, Hon. James C. Ho, 2018
• US Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, Hon. Diarmuid F. O'Scannlain, 2014 - 2015