Ben Gastel is a passionate litigator who fights for individuals, communities, and organizations in some of the most complex legal spaces out there. He’s built a dynamic national practice focused on mass torts, consumer protection, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases—often stepping in when lives are upended and accountability matters most. Whether representing everyday consumers in class actions or standing up for families affected by negligence, Ben brings deep experience and serious energy to every case.
He also works closely with public utilities, handling everything from condemnations to property and territorial disputes in both federal and state courts. He’s argued before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and he’s no stranger to courtrooms across the country.
Ben’s impact goes beyond litigation. He’s become a trusted advisor in the world of state election law, guiding nonprofits, campaigns, and advocacy groups through the ins and outs of lobbying, campaign finance, and compliance. He currently sits on the boards of multiple nonprofits and helps mission-driven organizations stay on the right side of IRS rules when it comes to political and lobbying activities.
One of Ben’s most meaningful cases was his role in representing Tennessee’s counties, cities, and elected officials in numerous cases in Tennessee holding opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers responsible for the devastation caused by the country’s opioid crisis. Ben’s work lead to him, and several of his current partners, being named as part of the team that won the first ever group award for Trial Lawyer of the Year by Tennessee’s Trial Lawyer’s Association. The relief obtained allowed millions of dollars back into Tennessee to help abate the state’s opioid epidemic.
Before returning to Tennessee, Ben practiced in Atlanta, where he represented utility and tech companies in litigation, transactions, and regulatory matters.
He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Dayton and earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University.
These days, Ben lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and three kids. When he’s not in court, you’ll probably find him working in his garden, tending to his trees, or checking in on the bees.