Areas of Practice
Kenneth J. Benson maintains a practice as a neutral party, serving as a mediator, arbitrator, or facilitator of alternative dispute resolution in all categories of civil matters, whether in federal or state courts.
Professional Background
Mr. Benson served from 1990-2002 as a United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. From 1997-2001 he served as the Chief Magistrate Judge where he performed all pre-trial management of assigned civil cases of all categories; wrote and filed reports and recommendations and/or opinions disposing of approximately 150 dispositive motions annually; presided at approximately twenty civil jury trials and five to seven non-jury trials. Mr. Benson gained a reputation as an effective "settlement judge" and settled hundreds of cases - his own and those of other judges. Mr. Benson left the bench in 2002 to enter the private practice of law -including ADR - which he did until 2006, when he joined JUSTUS as a principal.
From 1986-1990, Mr. Benson served as a Senior Deputy Attorney General for the Office of Attorney General of Pennsylvania. He represented Commonwealth agencies, officers, officials and employees in civil rights and employment cases in state and federal courts; tried jury and non-jury trials in both state and federal courts; and engaged in very heavy motions practice in State and Federal Appellate Courts.
Mr. Benson served as Assistant District Attorney for the District Attorney of Allegheny County from 1982-1986. He represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in post-trial (PCHA; post-verdict motions; Superior and Supreme Court appeals); was the sole lawyer representing the Commonwealth in PCHA and Federal Court habeas corpus proceedings; and represented the Commonwealth in the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
From 1981-1982, Mr. Benson worked as an associate in a small general practice firm where he represented defendant school districts and municipal authorities in arbitration hearings, trial court and the Commonwealth Court appeals. In addition he represented plaintiffs and defendants in the Court of Common Pleas and did extensive research and brief writing.
Mr. Benson served as Law Clerk to Chief Justice Henry O'Brien of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from 1979-1981.
He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Duquesne University School of Law since 1985.
Bar Admissions
• Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Presentations
Mr. Benson has been a frequent speaker at:
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Federal Court Section's Elections Day Programs
- Labor and Employment Law Section CLE Lunch and Learn
Education
- J. D., Duquesne University School of Law, 1979
- B. A., Duquesne University, 1967
Military Service
- United States Navy Reserve Officer, 1967-1971
- Commissioned Ensign, USNR, April 1968
- Honorable Discharge as Lieutenant (Junior Grade), April 1971
- Mr. Benson served in the Republic of Vietnam from 1968-1969.
During his service in the military he received seven awards and decorations.
Professional / Civic Activities
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Parish Council member, past President and leader at St. Anne Church
- Zoning Hearing Board, Dormont, PA, past member and Chairman