ASSOCIATE

BEN GURLITZ

Ben’s practice focuses primarily on insurance defense and coverage issues.  Ben cut his teeth on defense litigation at the Attorney General’s Office where he worked in the Tort Claims Section.  In that capacity, he defended negligence lawsuits against state agencies and county boards of education.  His caseload ran the gambit from wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases to small property damage claims.  In the hundreds of cases he handled, he gained significant experience with written discovery, depositions, expert discovery, settlement negotiations, trial, and appellate work. 

Ben’s most significant achievement from his time in the Tort Claims Section was obtaining a defense verdict in a hostile and bitterly contested wrongful death case in which the plaintiff’s estate sought one million dollars in damages. He was the sole attorney of record and handled all facets of litigation from written discovery up to and including obtaining the verdict before the Industrial Commission, which is widely considered to be a plaintiff-friendly venue. 

Unflappable and radically honest, Ben is always sure to work with insurance companies and their insured to find the best and most efficient solution for everyone.  Although Ben enjoys the courtroom, he knows that trial is not always the best option.  Sometimes, people make mistakes, and they want to make things right.  Other times, the prospect of litigation can present a business decision.  Ben is always sure to listen to his clients, investigate the facts of their cases, and provide thoughtful legal guidance so that they can determine the best path forward.

Ben’s community involvement includes serving as the secretary of the UNC hockey team’s booster club from 2016 until 2019.  Among Ben’s achievements as secretary are forming the booster club as a corporate entity and achieving 501(c)(3) status.  In addition, while Ben was secretary, the booster club started organizing games at PNC Arena, which drew crowds of over ten thousand people.  The games at PNC Arena are a tradition that continues today and have raised much needed funds for the team.

Born and raised in Chapel Hill, Ben lives in Raleigh his wife, Sarah, and their pet bird, Sage.  In his spare time, he is an avid hockey player, a passion he has had since childhood.  He is also a proud owner of the Green Bay Packers.

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