Benjamin Hamel Photo

Benjamin E. Hamel

Associate
  • Profile
  • Credentials
  • Representative Experience
  • Practice Areas

Ben joined Serpe Andrews as an associate in 2020. He is a trial attorney with a broad range of experience representing clients in complex commercial matters, products liability, personal injury, medical malpractice, and fiduciary litigation. His other areas of practice consist of business litigation, construction litigation, and professional malpractice.

Ben graduated from The University of the South in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in History. He went on to earn his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center in 2017, where he served as the Chief Compliance Editor of the Houston Business and Tax Law Journal and was recognized as a Distinguished Author for his comment examining the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act. He was also an active member of the UHLC Mock Trial Team, winning a National Championship at the Capital City Mock Trial Competition in 2016, as well as the 2016 Hippard Open Mock Trial Tournament, where he was named Best Speaker. In recognition of his accomplishments in trial competitions, Ben was inducted into the Order of the Barristers, a national honor society recognizing exceptional advocacy. During his tenure at UHLC, Ben worked for a civil litigation firm and served as a clerk for the Honorable Grant Dorfman in the 334th District Court of Harris County.

    Educational Background

    • University of Houston Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2017
      • Dean’s List Scholar
      • Chief’s Compliance Editor, Houston Business and Tax Law Journal
      • Distinguished Author, Houston Business and Tax Law Journal
      • UHLC Mock Trial Team
      • National Order of Barristers
      • National Champion, Capital City Mock Trial Tournament, 2016
      • Champion, Hippard Open Mock Trial Tournament, 2016
      • Best Speaker, Hippard Open Mock Trial Tournament, 2016
    • Sewanee: The University of the South, B.A. History, 2012

    Honors

    • Top Lawyer: Civil Law Litigation, Houstonia Magazine, 2021-2022.

    Publications

    • “An Examination of The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act: How JOBS Act Exemptions May Help Startups and Hurt Investors” Houston Business and Tax Law Journal, 2016

    Admissions

    • State Bar of Texas, 2017
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
    • United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

        • As second chair in a two-week products liability trial: cross examined the Plaintiff’s engineering expert, cross-examined the responsible third party’s corporate representative, presented Defendant’s OSHA expert, and presented closing argument on OSHA violations and liability of responsible third parties. The trial resulted in a jury verdict finding that the client’s product was not defective;
        • Briefed and argued a summary judgment motion for a medical center resulting in dismissal of a lawsuit alleging twenty-five causes of action related to an allegedly improper involuntary commitment proceeding;
        • Successfully argued a motion to dismiss pursuant to the Texas Citizens Participation Act for a nurse related to claims based on her mandatory reporting requirements;
        • Represented a national trucking company in a suit alleging a defect in their proprietary trailer system;
        • Represented numerous board members, corporate officers, attorneys, and accountants regarding claims of malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty;
        • Argued and successfully defended against an application for receivership regarding a client’s commercial property located in downtown Houston;
        • Submitted briefing to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit regarding the enforceability of collateral surety agreements against an individual co-signer of a bankrupt oil and gas entity;
        • Won a two-day bench trial in a breach of contract case for a large real estate developer;
        • Represented numerous architects and engineers regarding claims of professional negligence related to municipal construction projects;
        • Represented an international oil and gas company in a lawsuit arising from a commercial vehicle collision on an interstate highway;
        • Submitted briefing to the Texas Supreme Court regarding dismissal of declaratory judgment actions under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 91a.
        • Prosecuted a first party ERISA claim regarding failure to pay accidental death benefits;
        • Represented the family of University of Houston student who was killed by a drunk driver in a pedestrian vehicle collision.