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Attorney Spotlight: Ben Lowenthal on Appeals, Writing, and Turning Prosecution into Opportunity

Attorney Spotlight: Ben Lowenthal on Appeals, Writing, and Turning Prosecution into Opportunity

From Maui to Oahu and beyond—an advocate for justice across Hawaii.

Nicholas Lindblad
August 18, 2025

Last week I spoke with Maui-born attorney Ben Lowenthal to talk about his journey from the public defender’s office to running his own private practice. Ben’s story is one that blends family legacy, a passion for writing, and a sharp eye for arguable issues that could tilt the outcome of a case.

From Maui Roots to the Courtroom

Ben grew up on Maui, one of four brothers, with his father serving as the island’s first public defender. After studying journalism in San Francisco and earning his law degree from the University of Kansas, Ben clerked at Hawaii’s Intermediate Court of Appeals before returning home to practice law with his family.

Over the years, he balanced criminal defense, appeals, and civil work before joining the state’s public defender’s office. There, he spent seven years handling everything from involuntary commitments to murder trials, eventually rising to Appellate Division Supervisor in 2024.

Building a Private Practice

In 2025, Ben launched his own practice handling cases in both state and federal courts across Hawaii. Mr. Lowenthal's sweet spot? Appeals and complex criminal cases—the kind that demand strategy, detail, and pressure against the government.

Ben explained that his style isn’t about filing motions for the sake of it, but building deliberate pressure to move cases toward the client’s goals. Whether it’s winning at trial, securing dismissals, or negotiating resolutions, his approach puts the client’s life—and long-term future—at the center.

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“Sometimes prosecution is the wake-up call. I’ve seen it transform people. My job is to give clients agency, build a strategy together, and make it hard for the judge to put them in jail.”

Writing, Blogging, and Watching the Courts

Ben’s journalism background gives him an edge in litigation. For over 17 years, he’s maintained Hawaii Legal News, tracking appellate court trends and decisions. He sees writing not just as advocacy, but as a way to learn, refine arguments, and push the law forward.

“I love complicated cases because they always teach me something new. And if you can win through motions and writing, those small victories add up.”

You can also find more about his work on bellawyer.com.

Why This Matters for Defendants

This conversation hit home because it reminded me of the team effort it really takes: bail agents, attorneys, families, sometimes employers—all pushing toward the best possible outcome. Judges notice preparation. They notice clients who are working, seeking treatment, or showing responsibility.

Like Ben says, “Make it hard for the judge to put you in jail.” That means putting your best foot forward—because even one small strategic win can tilt the scales in your favor.

-JAIL MAIL NICK