An active advocate for justice in Michigan and beyond
Ben Wilensky focuses his practice on representing railroad workers seeking compensation under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act for injuries sustained on-the-job. Ben and Sommers Schwartz colleague Arvin J. Pearlman are the only two attorneys in Michigan who belong to the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys (ARLA), the preeminent association of attorneys representing injured railroad employees. They are also designated counsel for the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and the Transportation Communications Union.
Ben has also represented clients in a variety of other types of litigation, including professional malpractice, civil rights, product liability, governmental liability, corporate fraud, RICO, contract disputes, and employment matters. His hard work and dedication have earned him recognition on the list of Super Lawyers Rising Stars every year since 2015.
Ben is a member of ARLA, the Michigan Association for Justice, and the American Association for Justice (Railroad Law Section). He is a designated case evaluator in Oakland County and contributes to his community as a member of the Beverly Hills Planning Commission.
In his spare time, Ben loves being able to travel with his family.
Accomplishments
- $2.5 million railroad liability verdict
- $1.7 million confidential railroad liability settlement
- $775,000 confidential FELA settlement
- $600,000 confidential FRSA settlement
- $500,000 confidential general liability settlement
- $300,000 confidential FELA settlement
- $300,0000 confidential general liability settlement
- $237,000 confidential FELA settlement
- $230,000 confidential general liability settlement
- $205,000 confidential FELA settlement
- Representative Decision: Lilly v. Grand Trunk Western Railroad (Wayne County Circuit Court 2020)
- Representative Decision: Bostek v. Norfolk Southern Railway (Northern District of Ohio 2019)
- Representative Decision: West v. Lake State Railway (Eastern District of Michigan 2017)
Memberships
- State Bar of Michigan
- Negligence Law Section
- Labor & Employment Law Section
- Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys
- Michigan Association for Justice
- Executive Board
- American Association for Justice
- Railroad Law Section
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Transportation Communications Union
- Designated Counsel
- Beverly Hills Planning Commission
- Member
Recent Posts
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Juris Doctor (JD), 2010
- Chicago-Kent Law Review, Executive Articles Editor and Executive Board Member
- Michigan State University, Dual Degrees, 2005
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy, James Madison College
- Bachelor of Science in Urban & Regional Planning
- Michigan
- Maryland
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S.District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- Personal Injury