Ben Blair advocates for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 corporations in cases involving state and local taxes. Ben combines substantial trial and appellate experience with deep knowledge of the tax laws in representing clients nationwide across numerous industries, including gaming and hospitality, retail, real estate, high-tech and heavy manufacturing, and logistics.
An avid speaker and author on tax issues, Ben is the legal columnist for The Appraisal Journal and a contributor to the TaxHatchet blog. Ben also served as a regional co-editor of the American Bar Association's Property Tax Deskbook, 19th and 20th eds., and a chapter author for the upcoming Guide to Multijurisdictional Admission to Practice Requirements for State and Local Tax Lawyers, 2nd ed.
Property Taxation
Ben leverages his litigation experience and valuation training to help taxpayers reduce the property tax burden on their investments across the United States. He applies and can explain innovative appraisal and valuation techniques, and he collaborates with market participants, including national developers, real estate investment trusts and appraisers, to understand trends in the real estate market and clients’ businesses.
State and Local Taxation
Ben counsels clients through complex controversies involving state and local tax agencies, including advocacy from administrative appeals to trial and appellate courts. He works with taxpayers on income, sales and use and unemployment tax matters, as well as unclaimed property disputes, and advises clients on the state and local tax implications of corporate transactions and reorganizations.
Past Experience
During law school, Ben worked for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the state agency that administers the unemployment tax system. While pursuing his bachelor's degree in Financial Information Systems, Ben spent two years working in finance for a division of Emerson Electric Co.
Faculty Positions
- Indiana University Kelley School of Business - Bloomington — Guest Lecturer, State and Local Taxation I, Spring 2017
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law — Adjunct Professor, State and Local Taxation, Fall 2016, Fall 2019
