Law Clerk
10th Circuit Court of Appeals
Denver, CO
We recently had the chance to connect with one of our more recent Harvey Fellows, Ben Gibson:
Remind us what year you received the Harvey Fellowship and what program you were undertaking.
I received a Harvey Fellowship in 2018 to pursue a JD at Stanford’s Law School. I am a generalist at heart, so I studied everything from taxation to natural resource law. But I also dedicated a significant amount of my coursework specifically to Federal Indian Law, an area of law focused on the relationship between the federal government, states, and tribes.
What have you been doing since then?
I graduated from Stanford last spring and my wife, son, and I have since moved to Denver. I started a clerkship with the Chief Judge of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in August. As a clerk, I prepare the judge to hear all manner of federal cases, ranging from criminal appeals, to immigration decisions, to Constitutional violations. I have felt so fortunate to start my legal career learning under a thoughtful judge while addressing pressing legal issues that affect the entire Mountain West.
Tell us briefly about your faith and family.
My parents and church taught me that Jesus is my only hope of salvation and He will redeem all things. This faith continues to form my vision of vocation: I want to be a co-participant in Christ’s redeeming work in my local community and the broader world. I am fortunate to share in this work with my wife, Norma, and my one-year-old son, Daniel. Norma works for a company called Landed, which helps teachers and healthcare professionals buy homes. Daniel is learning not to cry whenever we do family prayer.
You recently donated to support the future of the Harvey Fellows program. What motivated you to contribute?
For many right now, life is defined by political turmoil and social upheaval. We need faithful Christians, serving as scholars and practitioners, who will bring God’s wisdom to bear on society’s most pressing issues. Having just graduated, I am well aware that the Christian leaders of tomorrow are not immune to economic uncertainty and social fragmentation. Financially and spiritually, the Fellowship was a gift to me during my studies and by now contributing back to the Fellowship, I hope to support the equipping of young Christians for years to come.
How can we be praying for you and your family?
Moving to a new place in the midst of the pandemic has made it difficult to find and participate in Christian community. We would love prayers that God would be preparing a church home for us and opportunities to serve the city of Denver. Also, we would take prayers for the patience and wisdom to raise our son during this season!
