When people come to Sedey Harper Westhoff, they often feel like they are up against a giant. Employers, corporations, and insurance companies have resources that can feel overwhelming. One of the attorneys who meets clients in that moment is Benjamin F. Westhoff, who has built his career on choosing David over Goliath.
In his bio video, Ben talks about how his path into the law started early and why he decided to stand with individuals instead of big companies. Hearing him explain that choice in his own words helps clients see the person behind the resume long before they ever sit across from him in a conference room.
Why Ben Chose People Over Corporations
Ben grew up seeing what the practice of law looked like through his older siblings, who also became lawyers. That early exposure showed him not only what law school involved, but also how the work could affect real people’s lives. In the video, he explains that he felt drawn to the one corner of the business world where you can step in when someone faces a crisis.
As he puts it, the law offers a chance to “help people who are in really dire need of help” and to “make some sort of a difference also in how businesses are run and how corporations treat people.” That simple idea guides the work he does on behalf of employees and injury victims today.
Ben also talks about how stories like the battle of David versus Goliath resonated with him. In his words, “In the Battle of David versus Goliath, I was definitely drawn more towards David.” From the start, he knew the idea of advocating for “the little guy” felt more compelling than spending an entire career defending powerful institutions.
From Big Firm Defense Work To Standing With Individuals
After graduating from St. Louis University with his B.A. magna cum laude in 1999 and his J.D. cum laude in 2003, Ben began his career at a large St. Louis corporate law firm. There, he represented large corporations and insurance companies. In the video, he explains that those first few years confirmed what he already suspected.
He says that representing those entities for “the first 2 or 3 years” of his career “reinforced the notion that it would be a lot better for me personally, a lot more satisfying to help the little guy.” That realization led him to make a major change.
In 2006, Ben decided that he wanted to represent individuals facing employment problems and serious personal injuries. That decision fits squarely with what we do at Sedey Harper Westhoff: we represent people, not employers or insurance carriers. Ben’s move from the defense side to standing with individuals gives him valuable insight into how the other side thinks, and it aligns his daily work with his core beliefs.
What Drives His Work With Clients
Ben focuses his practice on employment law and personal injury law on behalf of individuals. Since shifting his career in 2006, he has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injured persons and for victims of discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and other unfair employment practices.
When he talks about his work, he does not lead with numbers. He talks about people. As he says, “I knew early on in my legal career that I wanted to focus on helping people facing serious problems, such as getting injured because of another’s carelessness or losing their job because of discrimination. It is really gratifying to help people in their hour of need while holding wrongdoers accountable for their misconduct.”
That combination—helping in a client’s “hour of need” and holding wrongdoers accountable—captures how he approaches each case. He understands that a job loss, a serious injury, or a hostile work environment can affect every part of a person’s life. He also understands that a strong case can send a clear message that this kind of conduct has consequences.
Real Results For Real People
Ben’s commitment to individuals shows up in the outcomes he has secured for them. The following examples give a glimpse of the range and impact of his work:
- Breach of contract for an executive/founder: $3.9 million settlement in a contract case for a business leader whose agreement was not honored.
- Race discrimination & workers’ compensation retaliation: $3.75 million settlement for an employee who faced both discrimination and retaliation after seeking workers’ compensation.
- Wrongful death: $3.5 million settlement for the family of a man who suffered a heart attack at the scene of a wheel-off crash caused by negligent service on his car.
- Sex harassment & race discrimination: $2.7 million verdict for a client who endured both sexual harassment and race discrimination at work.
- Invasion of privacy: $2 million verdict for a person whose privacy rights were violated.
- Breach of contract & fraud: $1.5 million settlement for an executive terminated in violation of his employment contract.
- Age discrimination: $1.5 million settlement for a worker treated unfairly because of age.
- Serious injury to a disabled man: $1.1 million recovery for a man in a wheelchair who was struck by a pizza delivery driver while crossing the street.
- Sex discrimination & retaliation: $950,000 settlement for a client punished after raising concerns about unfair treatment.
- Unpaid overtime collective action: $900,000 settlement under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for workers denied overtime pay.
- National origin discrimination: $828,436 judgment after a jury verdict for a client targeted because of national origin.
- Whistleblower retaliation: $750,000 settlement for a person who spoke up about wrongdoing.
Each of these matters involved a person or a family whose life changed because someone else broke the rules or abused their power. Ben’s results reflect both careful case work and the values he shares in his video.
Learning From Clients & Colleagues Every Day
When Ben talks about what he enjoys most at Sedey Harper Westhoff, he does not focus only on courtroom success. He highlights the people he works with and for. In the video, he says, “What I love the most about what we do here is I get the opportunity to work with really smart people. I get the opportunity to learn new things every day.”
He also points out that he represents “people who are also really smart and who challenge me, and who bring forward really good points to support their cases.” That respect for clients runs through his work. He sees them as partners who know their stories, their workplaces, and their injuries, and he listens closely to their insights.
He sums it up simply: “It’s really rewarding to be able to work with smart people. And we’ve got a really good group.” That sense of collaboration—between attorneys, staff, and clients—matches how we approach cases throughout the firm. We treat every matter as a team effort aimed at the best possible outcome for the person who trusted us with their story.
Recognition & Leadership In Employment Law
Ben’s dedication to individuals has also led to recognition within the legal community. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America in the Employment Law – Individuals category since 2013. The 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® named him Lawyer of the Year in Employment–Employees. He currently serves on the American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and the Eighth Circuit’s Subcommittee on Model Civil Jury Instructions.
He also holds leadership roles that connect directly to the work we do for employees and injury victims. He serves on the Board of Governors of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and has long been active in the National Employment Lawyers Association, including serving as President of the St. Louis Chapter and as a board member for the Eighth Circuit NELA Conference.
Ben shares his knowledge through frequent presentations for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Missouri Bar, local and national trial lawyer groups, and other professional organizations. He has spoken on topics such as mediation techniques, sexual harassment in the #MeToo era, large verdicts in employment cases, ethical issues in employment litigation, non-compete and separation agreements, and winning themes in sex discrimination and harassment cases. Those roles reflect a career built on advocating for employees and injury victims while also helping shape the way courts, lawyers, and employers understand these issues.
How Ben Fits Into Our Mission At Sedey Harper Westhoff
Our firm focuses exclusively on representing individuals in employment law and personal injury cases. We do not represent employers, corporations, or insurance companies. Ben’s own story—starting at a large defense firm, recognizing that his values lay with individuals, and changing course in 2006—captures that mission in a very personal way.
He brings together strong academic training, years of experience in complex employment and injury matters, and a clear sense of purpose. He represents people who have lost jobs because of discrimination, endured harassment, suffered serious injuries, or faced retaliation for speaking up. His cases have helped clients secure compensation, regain some control, and send a message that this conduct is not acceptable.
Just as important, he approaches those clients as thoughtful partners. He appreciates their ideas, listens to their concerns, and keeps them involved. That approach lines up with our commitment to clear, direct communication and individualized legal strategies.
Get To Know Ben Before You Call
Meeting with a lawyer can feel daunting, especially when you are dealing with job loss, harassment at work, or a serious injury. Our goal with Ben’s bio video is to make that first step a little easier. When you watch, you will hear in his own words why he chose David over Goliath, why he left corporate defense work, and what he values most about working with clients and colleagues here.
If you believe your employer treated you unfairly, if you suffered harassment or discrimination, or if someone’s carelessness caused a serious injury, we encourage you to reach out to Sedey Harper Westhoff. You can call us at (314) 819-0963 to schedule a free initial consultation. After you watch Ben’s video and learn more about his work, we hope you will feel more comfortable taking that next step.