Overview
Ben Williams practices in the Southfield office of Foster Swift as a member of the litigation practice group, focusing on family law cases including divorce, child support, and spousal support, criminal defense, and criminal and family law appeals.
Ben is a straightforward litigator and problem solver, knowing that the most favorable results for his clients are usually obtained outside the courtroom. Ben understands that decisions regarding child custody, parenting time, spousal support, child support, and property division have effects far beyond the courtroom, so he works closely with his clients from the outset to determine their long-term goals. With this knowledge, Ben can craft an optimal outcome for each case while minimizing the emotional toll of divorce on his clients and their families, especially children.
Despite his preference for private resolution, Ben is an experienced trial lawyer and will try a case to judgment when the need arises. Prior to his arrival at Foster Swift, Ben was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Chicago, Illinois for over ten years, where he tried hundreds of cases before judges and juries. For five of those years, Ben was assigned to the Felony Trial Division where he prosecuted a wide range of offenses, including first degree murder, aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, criminal sexual assault, and other violent crimes. Ben now puts his substantial trial experience to use in both family and criminal law matters.
Whether in family or criminal law, Ben considers it a privilege to be able to assist his clients through some of the most complex and difficult moments of their lives.
Ben is fluent in Spanish and speaks conversational German.
Affiliations
Memberships & Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan – Family Law Section
Oakland County Bar Association
Communications
Recent Blog Posts
Your Family Law Advocate Blog
- Turning Lead into Gold: The Legal Chemistry of Converting a Separate Business into a Marital Asset
- Striving for Fairness – How do Courts Deal with a Couple's Ongoing Financial Obligations During Divorce Proceedings?
- Whose Bonus Is It? – When May a Bonus Received After the Marriage Form Part of the Marital Estate?
Publications
- Chapter 11: Physical and Scientific Evidence, Introducing Evidence at Trial, ICLE Fourth Edition, February 4, 2025
News & Events
Speaking Engagements
- Children Are Our Future: Mastering Advanced Concepts of Custody, Parenting Time & Support, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Conference, May 2, 2024
News
- Former Illinois Assistant Attorney Joins Foster Swift's Family Law Practice, Detroit Legal News, November 14, 2023
Education
University of Illinois College of Law, J.D. Magna Cum Laude, 2008
Emory University, B.A. History & Spanish, 2003
Clerkships
Illinois 4th District Court of Appeals, 2009-2010
Bar and Court Admissions
Michigan
Illinois
California (Inactive)