Attorney A. Ben Mitchell

Attorney Ben Mitchell

Attorney A. Ben Mitchell has been practicing law in Southern Illinois for more than 50 years. His many achievements highlight his record of success: Mr. Mitchell received an AV-Rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Ratings, garnering the respect of attorneys he has worked with and against, judges, and other legal professionals. As such, Mr. Mitchell is also listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, an honor bestowed on only five percent of lawyers in America.

Furthermore, Mr. Mitchell is included as one of the attorneys included in the Leading Lawyers Network, an honorary selection made by his legal peers. Crain’s Chicago Business Top Lawyers also lists Mr. Mitchell as a preeminent attorney in Illinois.

Practice Areas

  • Commercial Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Corporate
  • Coal, Oil and Gas
  • Real Estate
  • Estate Planning/Administration
  • Wills and Trusts
  • Probate/Trust Administration

Admitted

  • 1966, Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Education

  • University of Illinois, J.D., 1966
  • University of Tulsa, B.S. in Business Administration, 1963

Publications

“Plugging Responsibilities: The Deep Pocket Theory,” 9th Eastern Mineral Law Institute, 1989

“Responsibilities Attendant to Well Abandonment,” Eastern Mineral Law Special Institute, 1991

“Well Plugging Abandonment & Restoration,” IOGA, 1996

“Well Plugging Responsibilities,” Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission, 2002

“Negotiating Key Contract Provisions,” National Business Institute, 2013

Co-author, “Release, Abandonment, and Plugging,” ICICLE Mineral Law, 1994

Affiliations

Jefferson County Bar Association (President, 1970-1971)

Central Federal District of Illinois

Southern Federal District of Illinois

Illinois State Bar Association

Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee Member, 1968-1971

Agricultural Law Committee Member, 1983-1991

Oil and Gas Securities Sub-Committee, Securities Advisory, 1987-1993

American Bar Association

Illinois Oil and Gas Association (Director, 2000-2003) (Bylaw Committee, current member)

Jefferson County Development Corporation, Financial Partner
(Board of Directors, 2012-2018)

Mt. Vernon City School District 80, Board of Education Member 1973-1980

Mt. Vernon High School District 201, Board of Education Member 2013-2017