Overview

Benjamin L. Webster has extensive experience handling trials, binding arbitrations, and mediations in a variety of complex disputes. He has defended countless lawsuits in state and federal courts involving allegations such as:

  • Discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and immigration status
  • Sexual harassment
  • Retaliation
  • Invasion of privacy
  • Defamation
  • Breach of contract
  • Workplace violence
  • Unfair competition and other business torts

Additionally, Ben has prosecuted and defended numerous trade secret cases, winning and defeating requests for injunctive relief in high stakes, time-sensitive disputes. He also has handled the defense of class action lawsuits, including wage and hour and discrimination claims arising under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Employment and Housing Act.

Another focus of Ben’s practice is conducting complex workplace investigations (involving claims of  harassment, retaliation, and other alleged misconduct) for public and private employers, as well as advising companies in connection with internal investigations and discipline resulting therefrom.

A frequent speaker at employment seminars and training programs, Ben has worked with various local, regional, and national clients involved in:

  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Retail
  • Finance
  • High-tech
  • Energy
  • Telecommunications
  • Real estate
  • Insurance
  • Health care
  • Lobbying
  • Restaurant and grocery store chains

He has made numerous labor/employment presentations for various audiences, e.g., The Executive Employer ConferenceSacramento Area Human Resources Association; National Business Institute; Employer Resource Institute; ELT, Inc.; Stockton Business Resource Group; State Fund; Paychex; Sacramento Trusted Advisors Group; Loggers’ Association of Northern California; Financial Service Industry Roundtable; Rotary Club; Foothill Employer Advisory Council; SHRM Redding Chapter, Sacramento Professional Advisors Network.​

Ben is the office managing shareholder of Littler Mendelson's Sacramento office. Prior to joining Littler, he practiced commercial litigation, with an emphasis in labor and employment law, for another national law firm where he served as managing partner of the Sacramento office for the eight years preceding his departure. Between college and law school, he worked as a reporter for the daily newspaper in Red Bluff, California; as a legislative correspondent for Congressman Harold T. "Bizz" Johnson in Washington, D.C.; and, later, as a legislative and policy analyst and newsletter editor for the Joint Maritime Congress.

In law school, Ben was on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review. Thereafter, he clerked for the Hon. Pasco M. Bowman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. 

Professional & Community Affiliations

Commissioner

California Travel & Tourism Commission, appointed by Governor Brown

2015-present

Member

Labor and Employment Law Section

Sacramento County Bar Association

Volunteer

Boy Scouts of America

2007-2014

Member

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's Transition Team

2008-2009

Chairman, Board of Directors

Sacramento Community Link

2007-2011

Member, Executive Board

Lassen Park Foundation

2006-present

Member

Sacramento Corporate Volunteer Council

2008-2013

Member

Judicial Advisory Committee

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California

2009-2012

Member

Stanford Club of Sacramento

1990-present

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2019-2025

Awarded, AV® Peer Review Rating

Martindale-Hubbell

Named, Super Lawyer

Northern California

Super Lawyers

5+ years

Named, Top Lawyers List

Sacramento Magazine

multiple years

Named, Best of the Bar

Sacramento Business Journal

multiple years

Speaking Engagements

Workplace Violence Prevention in the Age of the "Active Shooter"

June 30, 2021

Workplace Violence Prevention in the Age of the "Active Shooter"

June 24, 2021

Littler NorCal Breakfast Briefing programs: Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Chico, Redding

2009-present

Workplace Violence Prevention in the Age of the "Active Shooter"

Advanced HR Workshop: 10 Thorny Employment Law Challenges You Must Know How to Handle

How to Provide the Best Harassment Training to Your Workforce

Trial Strategies

Electronic Monitoring and Privacy in California

Landmines, Trends and Tools

Presenting An Effective Defense in an Arbitration

Violence in the Workplace: Protecting Employees and Minimizing Liability

Managing Human Resources Under The Americans With Disabilities Act

Discovery Strategies

The Problem Employee: What to Do If He or She Works for You

Negotiating Separation Agreements in Difficult Termination Situations

Recognizing and Preventing Sexual Harassment

Protecting Trade Secrets/Preventing Competition by Former Employees

Internal Investigations: What You Need to Know

Winning Your First Civil Trial

Education

  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1987
  • B.A., Stanford University, 1980

Bar Admission

California

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of California