Benjamin J. Harper

Ben joined Osterbauer Law Firm in January 2016 and became a named partner in January 2025, when the firm became Osterbauer, Harper & Furth. He has devoted his legal career to representing injured workers. Over the course of his practice, Ben has represented hundreds of injured employees, tried more than 60 cases, handled appeals before the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals and Minnesota Court of Appeals, and secured tens of millions of dollars in benefits and settlements for his clients.

Ben is recognized as an authority on Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system and is frequently invited to speak to other attorneys practicing in the field. He has presented at the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Institute—the state’s premier continuing legal education program for workers’ compensation practitioners—on topics including Medicare compliance, in-home nursing services, effective oral argument, and the Union Construction Workers’ Compensation Program. His practice encompasses virtually every aspect of the workers’ compensation system, from complex medical and benefit disputes through trial, settlement, and appeal.

Ben’s work has also been recognized by his peers and the legal community. He was selected to the Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Stars list each year from 2020 through 2025 and was selected to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list in 2026. In 2026, Ben was also recognized by Minnesota Monthly as one of Minnesota’s Top 100 attorneys.

Ben has developed a reputation as an aggressive and effective advocate for injured workers. He is willing to take difficult cases to hearing and appeal when necessary, but believes effective representation is about more than simply being combative. Ben combines a thorough understanding of Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system with a practical approach to litigation, allowing him to identify the issues that matter, explain them clearly, and put his clients in the strongest possible position to succeed.

Just as importantly, Ben takes pride in making a complicated workers’ compensation system understandable to his clients. He believes injured workers should know what is happening in their case, why it is happening, and what comes next. His goal is to make sure every client feels confident that their case is being taken seriously and that their interests are being protected at every stage of the process.

Originally from Stillwater, Minnesota, Ben graduated from St. John’s University in 2007 before earning his law degree, cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law. During law school, Ben competed in the Rosalie Wahl Moot Court, Ruby Vale Corporate Law Moot Court, and on William Mitchell’s National Negotiation Team. He also devoted more than 200 hours to volunteer service through the Minnesota Justice Foundation, including preparing income tax returns for low-income individuals and families in North Minneapolis.

Ben is licensed to practice law in Minnesota and Wisconsin.