Our Team

Joel Ban - VA Accredited Attorney

Brief info

Joel Ban focuses in the area of Veterans Compensation. Joel has always had a passion for helping people fight powerful governmental entities. Unfortunately, the Veterans Administration are quick to deny benefits and persistence is often required. Joel thrives on the challenges that are inherent in these appeal processes for government benefits. We are passionate about helping Veterans to receive the benefits that they deserve.

He started his legal career in 2003 in Salt Lake City at Wildlaw, formerly a not-for-profit Environmental Public Interest lawfirm. Here, Joel represented citizen groups in Federal Court to stop proposed timber sales in opposition of federal public land management agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

Joel successfully litigated appeals in the Federal District Court and the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Such cases include

Utah Environmental Congress v. Richmond and Utah Environmental Congress v. Troyer. After establishing his own law practice, Ban Law Office PC, he successfully represented a coalition of Beaver County, Utah residents in the Utah Supreme Court. This group, BRAVE (Save the Beaver River and Varied Estates), was concerned that one of the country’s only proposed private condominium resort/ski-golf resort would pollute and over-consume scarce water resources in the Beaver River watershed. Joel helped BRAVE pursue and protect their constitutionally protected referendum right in the Utah Supreme Court.

Since 2008, Joel has been serving veterans. Whether you already have service-connected benefits, but your condition has deteriorated, you wish to appeal a new claim, or your service-connected condition has caused a different problem we can help. Joel is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA), the CAVC bar association, Utah State Bar, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also a Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney. His accreditation number is 10007.

Joel is dedicated to making his community a better place and has acted as pro bono legal counsel to the Utah Physicians for Healthy Environment (UPHE).

Andrew Hayes - Disability Advocate

Brief info

Andrew Hayes is a disability advocate and paralegal at Ban Law Office P.C. Andrew is passionate about helping people navigate and fight back against powerful bureaucratic entities. At Ban Law Office, he works primarily on behalf of veterans, ensuring that they get the disability benefits to which they are entitled.

Before joining Ban Law Office, Andrew studied philosophy at the University of Utah where he was the Honors Tanner Undergraduate Fellow in 2020. He maintains an interest in moral and practical philosophy and plans to attend law school in 2024. In the meantime, he is working to become an accredited VA Claims Agent.

Brooke Smith - Disability Advocate

Brief info

Brooke Smith is a disability assistant and advocate dedicated to helping individuals receive the recognition and benefits they deserve. She takes pride in building strong connections with clients, listening to their stories, and assisting them throughout the claims process. Her work is driven by a genuine commitment to supporting veterans and making a meaningful difference in their lives.

Prior to joining Ban Law Office, Brooke studied philosophy at Brigham Young University, graduating Magna Cum Laude and with University Honors. She plans to attend law school in the future to further her legal education. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, spending time with friends and family, and playing guitar.

Anna Lamb - Disability Advocate

Brief info

Anna Lamb is a veteran disability advocate at Ban Law Office P.C. Anna is committed to serving those who have served. A Veteran herself, Anna brings over 20 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist to her advocacy work. She is currently working to become an accredited VA Claims Agent.

Prior to joining Ban Law Office, Anna served as a rater for the VA, where she utilized her medical background to navigate complex claims processes. Driven by a lifelong passion for helping people with disabilities, Anna is dedicated to ensuring her fellow veterans receive the support and care they deserve.