COLUMBIA – Maynard Nexsen is pleased to announce that Benjamin N. “Ben” Garner has joined the firm as a Shareholder in the Government Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice Group.
Garner joins the firm following more than a decade of service with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, where he most recently served as Chief of the Criminal Division. In that role, he maintained supervisory authority over all criminal cases, investigations, and personnel, ensuring alignment with Department of Justice priorities and coordinating regularly with senior leadership in Washington.
During his tenure as an Assistant U.S. Attorney—beginning in 2014—Garner prosecuted hundreds of cases spanning complex fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, cybercrime, violent crime, and large‑scale drug trafficking. He previously served as Deputy Criminal Chief for Narcotics and Violent Crimes, supervising a team of AUSAs handling high‑impact prosecutions across the state. His seven years as the district’s Cyber Crime, Computer Hacking, and Intellectual Property (CHIP) Coordinator reflect his deep experience navigating the sophisticated legal and investigative challenges posed by emerging technologies.
As part of his federal service, Garner oversaw work across all sections of the Criminal Division, ranging from complex white collar, healthcare fraud, and public corruption matters to cases involving large-scale criminal enterprises and violent crime.
Garner’s extensive courtroom experience, leadership background, and intimate experience with the priorities of the current administration strengthen one of the firm’s most dynamic practice areas, which includes numerous former federal prosecutors and investigators across multiple states. His work will complement the team’s existing capabilities in internal investigations, victim representation and reporting, regulatory enforcement, crisis response, complex federal litigation, and defense of individuals and corporations in high‑stakes matters.
“We are very happy to welcome Ben to Maynard Nexsen,” said Erica Barnes, Chair of Maynard Nexsen’s Government Investigations & White Collar Defense team. “Ben’s deep prosecutorial experience, strategic judgment, and intimate familiarity with the local practices in the Carolinas and with the current administration enhance our ability to guide clients through the most complex government investigations and enforcement actions.”
Garner earned his J.D. from the Charleston School of Law in 2010 and previously clerked for Hon. Henry F. Floyd of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Hon. Henry M. Herlong, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.