Benjamin Beaton
Benjamin Beaton
Benjamin Beaton is co-chair of Squire Patton Boggs’ appellate and Supreme Court practice groups, having clerked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A card-carrying member of the Federalist Society and subscriber to conservative legal theories like textualism and originalism, Beaton recently clerked for Justice Ginsburg before joining Squire Patton Boggs as co-chair.
He attended both Paducah Tilghman High School and Centre College before starting work for IBM in 2006.
Early Life and Education
Beaton is a partner at Squire Patton Boggs, an international law firm, and co-chairs its Supreme Court & Appellate practice group. Additionally, he blogs at Sixth Circuit Blog which covers decisions of U.S. Court of Appeals for Sixth Circuit.
Paducah native Beaton completed his education at Centre College with honors, before earning a law degree from Columbia. Thereafter he clerked for both Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg of the Supreme Court and Judge Raymond Randolph from the U.S.C.A for DC Circuit.
He has an expansive national practice, handling complex appeals and regulatory disputes as well as managed-care disputes, procurement litigation and constitutional law cases locally. Additionally, he adheres to conservative legal theories like textualism and originalism – two hallmarks of success for him in practice.
Professional Career
Beaton served as a clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Judge A. Raymond Randolph on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He graduated with honors from Paducah Tilghman High School before earning his law degree at Centre College. Since then he has held key legal roles at several top law firms, in addition to handling an impressive pro bono caseload.
Beaton is widely recognized for being an ethical and effective jurist. A member of the Federalist Society, he adheres to conservative legal theories such as textualism and originalism.
In a speech published in May, Judge Moore expressed his distaste for judges using the honorific “Your Honor”, suggesting they approach laws and the Constitution based on their original meaning and plain reading. Furthermore, he pledged his commitment to constrained interpretation of law.
Achievement and Honors
Beaton clerked for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Raymond Randolph of the District of Columbia Circuit. He earned high distinction at Paducah Tilghman High School, Centre College (where he served as sports editor of their campus newspaper and Phi Beta Kappa member) and Columbia Law School – where he also held articles editor duties of their Columbia Law Review publication.
As well as working for U.S. representatives and serving on their legislative staffs, he also worked as deputy chief of staff in Kentucky Cabinet. Now as a federal judge in Western District of Kentucky including Louisville city.
Beaton discussed on an episode of Heritage Foundation podcast SCOTUS 101 how his friendship with Judge Amul Thapar led to him clerking for Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG).
Personal Life
Beaton hails from Paducah in Kentucky. At Paducah Tilghman High School he served as sports editor of his school newspaper and member of Phi Beta Kappa; graduating with highest honors. Furthermore he earned both a B.A. in government from Centre College and JD from Columbia University; where he also held articles editor status before graduating with highest honors.
Beaton is a Partner at Squire Patton Boggs and co-chairs their Cincinnati office’s Appellate and Supreme Court Practice Group. Additionally, he holds membership to both the Federalist Society and American Bar Association.
If confirmed, Judge Haines would serve on the United States District Court for Kentucky’s Western District; his seat will be vacated by Justin Walker’s appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in June 2020.
Net Worth
Beaton is a partner at Squire Patton Boggs, co-chairing its Appellate and Supreme Court practice group and living on Cherokee Road with his wife Dr. Andrea Zawacki. President Trump nominated Beaton to fill a U.S. District Court seat being left vacant by Judge Justin Walker’s departure.
Beaton attended Paducah Tilghman High School, serving as sports editor of its campus newspaper; Centre College followed, where he graduated summa cum laude; card-carrying member of Federalist Society – a conservative organization from which many White House judges are selected – he clerked for Ruth Bader Ginsburg (known by many as “Notorious RBG”).
Federal judges receive both an annual salary and per diem allowance to cover expenses. Beaton receives an annual salary of $173,600; his travel has been paid for by various organizations; LegiStorm Pro subscribers can see details of these trips.