Benjamin Nelson brings more than a decade of both courtroom and military leadership experience to his work on behalf of injured individuals and families. Before joining Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler, Ben spent eight years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Pierce County, where he tried more than 40 jury trials and led prosecutions in some of the most serious violent-crime cases.

A trial lawyer at heart, Ben has handled cases ranging from DUI to homicide, serving as lead counsel on multiple murder trials and achieving convictions in complex felony domestic violence, aggravated assault, and armed robbery cases. Known for his calm under pressure and compassionate approach to victims, he’s driven by a simple goal: helping people find justice after life-altering loss.

From 2017 to 2019, Ben completed a federal clerkship with U.S. District Court Judge John C. Coughenour in the Western District of Washington, refining his legal writing, research, and advocacy skills in both civil and criminal matters. While in law school, he served as a law clerk at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle.

Ben’s commitment to service began long before law school. A Federal Way native, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps while still in high school and went on to serve 12 years on active duty and in the Marine Corps Reserve, including two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He rose from private to captain, commanding a 140-member reserve company while simultaneously earning his law degree with numerous distinctions at the University of Washington.

A 2014 Pat Tillman Military Scholar, Ben remains active with the foundation’s volunteer and mentorship programs. Outside of the courtroom, he and his wife, Allie, are raising their three daughters in Tacoma, where the family is active in local youth sports through Parks Tacoma.