ALFA International featured Ben Jones for this week’s Friday Feature.
What is one of your fondest ALFA International memories?
There are too many to mention as I have a fond memory each and every time I come back from any ALFA International event. These memories started with my initial meeting at the very first Hospitality Conference at the Kierland, to my first Transportation Conference at Dove Mountain, to my first ICS in Miami Beach. ALFA International simply makes fond memories! If I had to name one moment, we were in New Orleans for the 2014 Hospitality Conference when Melanie Cheairs and Chris Page (Mackenzie Monaco, Sarah Eibling and Dean Arruebarrena) led a huge group of clients and attorneys down Bourbon Street with a 2nd line band and we ended up a favorite NOLA dance club. One thing led to another, and I ended up on stage dancing with the band. It was a blast. Of course, Chris Page videoed my performance, and when I was being introduced as a presenter the next morning, a video of me the night before dancing with the band was shown to the entire conference. Humbling, but the video never lies.
What do you see as the biggest benefit of ALFA International?
The biggest benefit is being able to know and rely upon a network of great people: clients, attorneys and the ALFA International staff. I have been introduced to clients that I would likely never have the opportunity to do their work without ALFA International. I have been able to build a professional network with attorneys throughout the U.S. and around the world because of ALFA International. It is inspiring to see the people at ALFA International continuously work to deliver great programs with great people at great venues. Most importantly, many of the best relationships I have developed over my professional life are the people (clients and attorneys) that I have met through ALFA International. There are many times in the legal profession when it is easy to get and be discouraged, but to know, think, hear from and see the people I have met through ALFA International gives me great professional and personal encouragement and never fails to bring a smile to my face.
What do you like to do when not practicing law/ something people might not know about you/ passions outside of practicing law?
I spend most of my spare time with my wife, Hillary, and my twin 9 year old girls (Katie and Ella). Growing up in East Tennessee, my entire family are huge Tennessee Volunteers fans (even after this miserable season). We attend all the home games and usually a couple road games each year. We tailgate for every home game, and we have hosted many friends from ALFA International at our tailgate over the years. (Please consider this your invitation to come to Knoxville for a football weekend.) Non-football related, I am a huge Bruce Springsteen fan. My friends and I plan road trips to see him multiple times whenever he is on tour. In fact, I recently won the lottery to see Springsteen on Broadway, and Hillary and I will be seeing the Boss in NYC on 12/27!
Why did you choose to become an attorney?
I worked at The Gap in the 90s, and I knew that I needed to expand my professional horizons. Books, TV and the movies held attorneys in high regard so that sounded like something I should pursue. More truthfully and succinctly, I knew the law was my desired profession. I love helping people and helping to solve their problems. Being an attorney allows me to guide people through a difficult problem or situation in their life. I have always thought that the law and the pursuit of justice in any forum is an extremely honorable and noble endeavor. I still do.
What is one of your fondest ALFA International memories?
The biggest benefit is being able to know and rely upon a network of great people: clients, attorneys and the ALFA International staff. I have been introduced to clients that I would likely never have the opportunity to do their work without ALFA International. I have been able to build a professional network with attorneys throughout the U.S. and around the world because of ALFA International. It is inspiring to see the people at ALFA International continuously work to deliver great programs with great people at great venues. Most importantly, many of the best relationships I have developed over my professional life are the people (clients and attorneys) that I have met through ALFA International. There are many times in the legal profession when it is easy to get and be discouraged, but to know, think, hear from and see the people I have met through ALFA International gives me great professional and personal encouragement and never fails to bring a smile to my face.What do you like to do when not practicing law/ something people might not know about you/ passions outside of practicing law?I spend most of my spare time with my wife, Hillary, and my twin 9 year old girls (Katie and Ella). Growing up in East Tennessee, my entire family are huge Tennessee Volunteers fans (even after this miserable season). We attend all the home games and usually a couple road games each year. We tailgate for every home game, and we have hosted many friends from ALFA International at our tailgate over the years. (Please consider this your invitation to come to Knoxville for a football weekend.) Non-football related, I am a huge Bruce Springsteen fan. My friends and I plan road trips to see him multiple times whenever he is on tour. In fact, I recently won the lottery to see Springsteen on Broadway, and Hillary and I will be seeing the Boss in NYC on 12/27!
Why did you choose to become an attorney?
I worked at The Gap in the 90s, and I knew that I needed to expand my professional horizons. Books, TV and the movies held attorneys in high regard so that sounded like something I should pursue. More truthfully and succinctly, I knew the law was my desired profession. I love helping people and helping to solve their problems. Being an attorney allows me to guide people through a difficult problem or situation in their life. I have always thought that the law and the pursuit of justice in any forum is an extremely honorable and noble endeavor. I still do.
Ben Jones is a shareholder in the Knoxville office of Lewis Thomason. Mr. Jones’ practice primarily concentrates on personal injury, insurance and casualty defense in civil litigation with his primary emphasis in the areas of hospitality litigation, amusement litigation, commercial vehicle/automobile litigation, professional liability and general tort defense. Mr. Jones has defended wrongful death and other catastrophic injury cases and has extensive trial experience in courts throughout East Tennessee.