Judge Ben Cheeks

On October 23, 2024, President Biden nominated Judge Ben Cheeks to the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. Since July 2024, Cheeks has served as a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. With over 10 years of experience working as a criminal defense attorney, Cheeks will bring valued professional diversity to the federal bench.  

Biography

Cheeks graduated with a B.A. from the University of Miami in 2000 and received his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law in 2003.

Legal Experience

After graduating law school, Cheeks joined the New York County District Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, where he served as an Assistant District Attorney until 2010. From 2010 – 2013, he worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

In 2013, Cheeks opened his own firm, the Law Offices of Benjamin J. Cheeks, A.P.C. For over a decade, Cheeks practiced criminal defense and pro-plaintiff civil litigation, including civil rights matters. As a member of the Criminal Justice Act panel, Cheeks represented indigent defendants in approximately 98% of his caseload; and his experience working on behalf of under-resourced defendants will bring a much-needed perspective to the federal bench. Since July 2024, Cheeks has served as a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.