Ben Harner

Ben primarily represents clients in complex tort, environmental and personal injury matters. He has also represented clients in commercial disputes and business litigation matters. In all of these cases, he combines strong research, writing and analytical skills to obtain positive and efficient results for clients.   

He defends clients in product liability actions involving vehicles, watercrafts, industrial machinery and other consumer products. His experience in these cases covers all phases of litigation, from assessing and evaluating claims to discovery and motion practice to trial preparation and support. He also has experience deposing and interviewing witnesses and conducting vehicle and site inspections related to accidents or alleged product failures.

In his environmental work, Ben assists clients in litigation and regulatory matters arising under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, CERCLA, RCRA and their state law counterparts. He has provided environmental guidance to clients in corporate transactions, including complex acquisitions and the transfer and modification of environmental permits. 

Since joining Thompson Coburn, Ben has also defended railroad and maritime clients in FELA and Jones Act cases. He has drafted numerous successful summary judgment motions on such claims and successfully argued a Jones Act motion for summary judgment in Madison County, Illinois.