Ben Davis

I am a husband, father, and trial attorney—though not necessarily in that order.

I began my legal career representing large international corporations in New Mexico. For more than three years, I worked alongside some of the most skilled and aggressive defense attorneys in both the state and the nation. The experience was invaluable, but I quickly realized that my passion did not lie in defending powerful corporations. I identified more with David than Goliath and felt drawn toward helping ordinary people and underdogs.

Everything changed in the late fall when my wife and I found out we were expecting our first child. Just days later, I was driving to a court hearing in northwestern New Mexico when a severe winter storm rolled in, covering the highway with snow and ice. I lost control of my vehicle and spun into oncoming traffic directly in front of an oil field service truck. In that instant, I was convinced I was going to die shortly after learning I would become a father.

The truck collided with my car, crushing it and knocking me unconscious. When I eventually regained consciousness, I was trapped inside the wreckage. Somehow, despite the severity of the crash, I escaped without major injuries. Sitting there afterward, I realized my life needed to change.

That near-fatal accident forced me to reconsider my purpose. I no longer wanted to spend my career helping large corporations protect profits while injured people suffered the consequences. I did not want my future child to know me only as someone who defended the rich and powerful. From that point forward, I decided to dedicate my career to helping everyday people. Within months, I started my own practice with one mission: helping individuals and families harmed by negligence and reckless conduct.

That same year, our son was born. Being a father has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. He is creative, curious, and constantly inspires me. As a family, we spend much of our free time exploring the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado through camping, hiking, and skiing.

While living in Costa Rica, I met the woman who would later become my wife, partner, and the foundation of our family. Any success I have achieved as a trial lawyer would not be possible without her constant support, encouragement, and perspective. She keeps me grounded and focused on what truly matters.

That is who I am and why I do this work. But choosing the right attorney also requires understanding experience and qualifications.

Career Overview

I graduated from Baylor Law School in Texas in the top 20 percent of my class after clerking for a Federal Magistrate Judge in Waco. Baylor introduced me to trial advocacy through its nationally recognized practice court program, often described as a “boot camp” for aspiring trial lawyers. The school’s intensive courtroom training—developed by some of the most respected trial attorneys in Texas and New Mexico—solidified my desire to become a trial lawyer.

Following law school, I joined a boutique litigation firm that focused on high-stakes defense work for large corporations, including many Fortune 50 companies. During those early years, I learned from some of the top litigators in New Mexico and beyond. I conducted hundreds of depositions and participated in multiple trials, gaining firsthand insight into how large corporations and insurance companies approach litigation.

My near-death experience ultimately redirected my career toward representing individuals instead of corporations. Within months of the accident, I established the Law Firm.

In the firm’s first year, we gained statewide attention after handling a major legal malpractice case that resulted in our client’s release from prison and a substantial settlement stemming from attorney misconduct. The case was featured in the Albuquerque Journal and other local news outlets.

By our third year, our work was featured on NBC’s Dateline in connection with the death of Scott Pierce, who tragically lost his life after the Albuquerque Police Department wrongfully focused on two innocent traveling salesmen in the investigation of an elderly couple’s murder in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights.

Within six years, our firm secured what was then the largest recorded jury verdict against a property management company and condominium association for failing to follow their own safety procedures, resulting in the tragic death of a young father inside his condominium.

Founding Davis Kelin

After years of working together as co-counsel and sharing office space, Albuquerque trial attorney Zackeree Kelin and I formed Davis Kelin Law Firm, LLC. In 2023, Davis Kelin obtained the largest jury verdict in New Mexico history for an insurance bad faith case and one of the largest verdicts ever awarded in Albuquerque.

Together, we have helped reshape New Mexico insurance law by challenging outdated legal precedent with new legal arguments and perspectives. Our work has led to multiple published articles in the New Mexico Trial Lawyer Journal on insurance law and related legal topics. We are also regularly invited to speak at legal seminars and conferences both in New Mexico and across the country.

Both of us serve on the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association and participate on several committees. I also serve on the New Mexico State Bar’s Professional Liability and Insurance Committee, as well as various ad hoc State Bar committees. In addition, we have both served as special prosecutors for New Mexico’s Second Judicial District.

I am also a member of the American Association for Justice Leaders Forum and participate in AAJ political action and membership initiatives throughout New Mexico.