Meet Ben

Ben Zeigler is an innovative leader in tax-exempt bond financings, economic development and corporate transactions.
 
Public finance lawyers in South Carolina are part of a tradition of not only promoting prosperity and progress, but also protecting public trust. Ben is dedicated to that tradition in the context of crafting solutions for public capital needs that are not only efficient and effective, but also consistently in the best interests of his clients and the public.
 
Ben has a wide range of experience in all areas of public finance, both tax-exempt and taxable bonds, and in economic development and incentive transactions.

EXPERIENCE

• •  Developed legislation that allowed a rural South Carolina county to finance $60 million in school improvements to be paid through a sales tax
• •  Developed legislation and financing structure that enacted the largest conservation land purchase in State’s history
• •  Developed and negotiated numerous incentive packages for industries in South Carolina
• •  Represents governmental entities in South Carolina on issues relating to government organization and elections
• •  Assists school districts to develop financing structures that allow them to provide quality education to their communities
• • Devised and implemented a public-private trust to acquire and protect a large and significant regional art collection

Prior to entering private practice, Ben served as law clerk to the Hon. Donald S. Russell, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. During law school, he was clerk to the Hon. George R. Sprague of the Massachusetts District Court.

• Harvard University, J.D., 1997
• Oxford University, M. Phil., 1994
• The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, B.A., magna cum laude, 1992

• South Carolina, 1997
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1997
• U.S. District Court, South Carolina, 1997
• U.S. Supreme Court, 2003

• The Best Lawyers in America© Economic Development Law (2012-2024) and Public Finance Law (2024)
• Best Lawyers® 2016 Economic Development Law “Lawyer of the Year" Columbia
• South Carolina Lawyers Weekly 2015 Leadership in Law Award 
• South Carolina Golf Association Charles Drawdy Distinguished Service Award 2015
• South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award 2008
• Phi Beta Kappa

• National Association of Bond Lawyers
• South Carolina Bar
• McLeod Health, Board of Trustees, Chairman (2020-2023)
• Belle W. Baruch Foundation (Hobcaw Barony), Chairman, Board of Trustees (2015-2021)
• South Carolina Supreme Court Commission on Lawyer Conduct (2005-2009)
• South Carolina Eminent Domain Study Committee (2006-2007)
• Francis Marion Trail Commission, Chairman (2006-2009)
• Florence County Progress, Chairman Membership Committee, Relocation Task Force, Tourism Study Committee
• Pee Dee Land Trust, Board of Directors, Chairman (2004-2008)
• Francis Marion University Foundation, former Board Member
• Florence County Museum, former Board Member
• South Carolina Tourism Alliance, former Board Member
• Initiant Health Collaborative, former Board Member
• Wright Foundation for Southern Art, Chairman, Board of Trustees (2014-2016)
• South Carolina Golf Association, Executive Committee (2015-2020)
• South Carolina Junior Golf Association, Chairman (2015-2020)
• Watson Cup Junior Golf Matches (South Carolina v. Scotland) Chairman (2016-present)
• Archaeological Institute of the Pee Dee, Chairman (2021-present)
• South Carolina Historical Society, former Executive Committee Member
• South Carolina Archaeological Research Trust, former Board Member
• St. John’s Episcopal Church, Vestry (2012-2014 and 2008-2010)

• Foreword, “The Road from Camden” in Francis Marion and the Snow’s Island Community: Myth, History and Archaeology (United States Press, 2021)
• “Art, Culture, and History” in The Wright Collection of Southern Art (Phipps, Dickinson, Integra, 2021)
• HSB Opportunity Zone Presentation, Florence, SC, December 11, 2018