Benjamin Donovan

"I know what I'm asking for will be difficult." "I'm not worried about difficult, I'm not even worried about illegal."

- Wilson Fisk and Benjamin Donovan

Benjamin "Ben" Donovan is a lawyer within New York City notorious for representing high-profile criminals. Donovan represented Wilson Fisk, and assisted him in regaining power while he was locked up inside Ryker's Island by managing his money and bribing various people. He represented Cornell Stokes when he was apprehended by the New York City Police Department, managing to dismantle the proofs they had and set Stokes free, and went on to represent Candace Miller during the case regarding Stokes' murder.

Supported by the Stokes
"Mama Mabel put your ass through law school."

- Mariah Dillard to Benjamin Donovan

To be added

Stokes vs. Jamaicans
"All Ms. McIver is asking for is her fair share of her late husband's estate." "My clients owe him nothing. Or her." "Mr. Donovan, Mrs. Stokes, this piece of paper is an agreement both men signed acknowledging a 50% split on everything, from the rum company to the club."

- Terence Rogers and Benjamin Donovan

To be added

Assisting Wilson Fisk
"Mr. Fisk, I am doing everything I can to get you out, but we're talking about a process that could take months, maybe years. In the interim, we need you to keep your head down, avoid trouble while you're in here. The state will jump on any infraction to shoot down an early release, to keep you inside. It's the best move Mr. Fisk, in fact it's the only move."

- Benjamin Donovan to Wilson Fisk

Donovan's firm was hired by Wilson Fisk when he was accused of running a criminal organization within New York City. Despite Donovan's best efforts, Fisk was sent to Ryker's Island due to the work of Nelson and Murdock. Donovan spoke with Fisk in jail where he promised that his firm was doing everything they could to get him freed. Fisk then asked about Vanessa Marianna who Donovan claimed was hoping to come see him soon, which Fisk refused. Donovan then recommended that while he was in prison, Fisk keep his head down and not get involved with any criminal activity. Donovan continued his work to try and get Fisk freed, meeting him at Ryker's where Fisk ordered Donovan to assist with Stewart Finney's legal case and pay the rent on the Valdez brothers' mother's home in Spanish Harlem. Despite Donovan's objections as he had perviously advised Fisk not to get involved with any criminal activity within the prison in order to avoid any unwanted attention, but Fisk ordered him to get it done and ensure that the transactions were untraceable. Despite his reluctance for Fisk to do this sort of work, Donovan got the tasks completed as instructed as quickly as possible. Finally Fisk ordered Donovan to pay off one of the guards at Ryker's Island in order that he could bring Frank Castle to Ryker's. Donovan had another meeting with Fisk to move his final funds to bribe the guards into joining his side, although Donovan warned that any other money he would need would now be taken from Vanessa Marianna's protection, Fisk, however, assured Donovan that he would not need any more money after this was completed. Donovan asked if he wanted to know what the Punisher would be doing but Fisk did not answer, noting that Donovan likely did not want to know.

Fisk vs. Murdock
"You will refer to Mr. Fisk only as Mr. Fisk, and you will not ask any questions until I personally approve of them first." "That's a lot of rules." "Rules are what separate us from the animals."

- Benjamin Donovan and Matt Murdock

When Matt Murdock asked to meet with Wilson Fisk inside Ryker's Island, Fisk asked Donovan to make up a legal contract, in Braille, describing the conditions of the meeting and penalties for Murdock not conforming to those conditions. Donovan greeted Murdock and listed all of their legal demands from him before he escorted Murdock to his meeting with Fisk, who was handcuffed to a table waiting for his arrival. When Murdock asked Fisk if he was responsible for Frank Castle's escape, Donovan advised Fisk not to answer the question. However, Fisk then responded that he was not responsible. Donovan did not interrupt the meeting further, even when Murdock threatened to keep Vanessa Marianna from ever returning to New York City, and when Fisk responded violently by attacking Murdock. Donovan then told Murdock when the meeting was over, and attempted to escort him out. Murdock, however, angrily rejected his help and walked out of the prison alone without any kind of assistance from Donovan.

Defending Cottonmouth
"Next time, it would behoove you to have actual evidence. You know, something besides the dogged harassment of a misguided beat cop."

- Benjamin Donovan to Misty Knight

When Cottonmouth had been arrested for accusations that he had been involved in the murder of Rafael Scarfe, his personal lawyer, Benjamin Donovan arrived to defend him. He showed to the New York City Police Department that there was no evidence presented against Cottonmouth other than Detective Misty Knight and Scarfe's testimonies, both of which could easily be questioned due to one being personally affected by Scarfe's death, as her emotions clouded her judgement. But before Cottonmouth and Donovan left, they were confronted by the furious Knight, however Cottonmouth was unintimidated by her attempts to threaten him and called her dog chasing a stick. But Knight said that she promised Cottonmouth will be seen in the prison where he belonged in the wake of Scarfe's murder, however this merely made Cottonmouth laugh loud as he then walked outside with Donovan, who handed Priscilla Ridley the papers he had filled out before Cottonmouth was driven back to Harlem's Paradise to enjoy his freedom thanks to all of Donovan's successful work.

Defending Candace Miller
"Don't say another word, Ms. Miller. I'm representing you now." "Is this snake your lawyer? Candace, if you're not guilty, you'll answer my questions." "Nice try. My client isn't under arrest."

- Benjamin Donovan and Misty Knight

Upon hearing that Candace Miller was being questioned over the murder of Cottonmouth, Donovan was called in to represent her, knowing that she had to be kept from revealing the truth that it was infact Mariah Dillard who was responsible. Donovan arrived and pulled Miller away from Misty Knight who was conducting the interview, with Donovan insisting she say nothing else and leave immediately with him. While Donovan insisted that Miller must stop speaking as she had not been arrested, Knight was horrified by seeing that Donovan, who she referred to as a snake, was representing her. Donovan continued to try and remove Miller from the station while she was continuing to insist that Luke Cage was responsible for Cottonmouth's murder, as she had been instructed to do by Dillard and Shades. With the law on his side, Donovan then took Miller out as she was not being charged, much to the annoyance of Knight who could now do nothing to stop Donovan from leaving with Miller and delay her investigation.

Defending Mariah Dillard
To be added

Defending Arturo Rey
"Detective. As always, I find your charm disarming. This interview stops now." "Like hell it does. Your client got caught with a–" "Caught by whom? Luke Cage? A known vigilante." "It was a citizen's arrest." "After assaulting and apprehending my client, did Mr. Cage bother to read him his rights?" "No matter what, we got him on a Judas bullet charge." "Regardless, my client has made bail. He walks right now. See you in court. If it even goes that far."

- Benjamin Donovan and Misty Knight

To be added

Defending Cockroach
"In the eyes of a jury, played correctly, you're with bulletproof skin. You could go to jail for assault." "What good am I to them in jail?" "Exactly. So Ben Donovan came up with a price that makes this whole thing go away."

- Foggy Nelson and Luke Cage

To be added

Defending Shades
"Mr. Alvarez, we ran your plates, and you were in the vicinity of the crime and are now a suspect." "That's thin as hell, and you know it. Mr. Alvarez has nothing to do with this, either." "Mr. Alvarez is a person of interest in the murder of Thomas Ridenhour. He was friends with the other victim and was spotted 30 blocks from the murder scene."

- Misty Knight and Benjamin Donovan

To be added

Defending Bushmaster
"I have a top-ranking lawyer. There's a big difference between what's legal and what's righteous."

- Bushmaster

To be added

Restoring Mariah's Fortune
"You are here because you got gypped by a Rasta nig." "I'm here because it's the right thing to do. All of your holdings, Harlem's Paradise, your cash, everything has been restored. Check your phone. It's real." "How?" "One cannot sign a contract under extreme duress." "That's ironic." "It's been documented that Mr. McIver tortured Raymond "Piranha" Jones. The asset transfer, therefore, was not legally binding. I got it expedited. That's what I do for my clients."

- Mariah Dillard and Benjamin Donovan

To be added

Defending Mariah Stokes
"Your Honor, the State of New York charges the defendant, Mariah Stokes Dillard, with the crime of murder in the first degree. Twelve counts, with victims that include her own cousin, Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes." "Objection!" "Again, for the fourth time, Mr. Donovan, need I remind you, there are no cameras in this courtroom?" "That's hard to believe, given the way District Attorney Tower is acting, Your Honor. I object to the prosecution's grandstanding during what should be a simple arraignment for a first time offender." "I'm not grandstanding, Your Honor. Ms. Stokes Dillard's hands are drenched with blood. Besides her role in the so-called "Rum Punch Massacre," Ms. Stokes Dillard faces separate federal SEC violations for financial irregularities for her role in the Atreus Plastics merger."

- Blake Tower, Benjamin Donovan and Amanda Garmon

To be added

Meeting at Riker's Island
"Anybody else roll?" "No." "Can't give them the chance to." "Everyone?" "Everyone who is not protected by blood... or attorney-client privilege." "I appreciate that." "I thought you would."

- Mariah Dillard and Benjamin Donovan

To be added

Bequeathing Mariah's Will
"Ms. Stokes' handwritten will is as follows. The Basquiat will be donated to the Studio Museum of Harlem. Her leftover millions will transform the Family First Initiative into the Family First Foundation. Tilda, she left you Cornell's keyboard. And I quote, "To Carl Lucas, known on the streets of Harlem as Luke Cage, I give Harlem's Paradise. The club, the deed, the name."" "She really said that?" ""You can't rule no kingdom from a barbershop," is what she said to me."

- Benjamin Donovan and Luke Cage

To be added

Personality
"I was loyal to your money. And you no longer have it. Don't make this more sad than it needs to be. It's just business."

- Benjamin Donovan to Mariah Dillard

On first glance, Mr. Donovan is a scummy man who only offers his services to the highest bidder, namely criminals like Cockroach Hamilton and the Kingpin, and will not hesitate to cut them off when they can no longer afford him, as shown when he stopped representing Shades and Mariah because they lost their money, despite the fact that it was Mariah's Grandmother who paid for his education, making it possible for him to be a lawyer in the first place.

However, despite how crooked he may appear, there may quite possibly be some good in him. When Matt Murdock was assaulted by Fisk, after ending the interview between the two, Mr. Donovan attempted to help him by offering him his arm to guide the blind man out of the room. Mr. Murdock however, rejected his help.

Abilities
"Look, I wish there was something I could do, but Mariah's favorite lawyer is just too damn slick."

- Misty Knight to Luke Cage


 * Expert Lawyer: Benjamin Donovan is an expert lawyer, able to allow Cottonmouth to be released from prosecution.

Allies

 * Stokes Crime Family - Cilents
 * "Mama" Mabel Stokes † - Benefactor
 * Peter "Pistol Pete" Stokes †
 * Cornell Stokes/Cottonmouth †
 * Mariah Dillard †
 * Wilson Fisk - Client
 * Vanessa Marianna
 * Candace Miller † - Client
 * Arturo Rey III † - Client
 * Dontrell "Cockroach" Hamilton † - Client
 * Luke Cage - Former Enemy

Enemies

 * Gwen McIver †
 * Terence Rogers
 * Matt Murdock
 * New York City Police Department
 * Misty Knight
 * Priscilla Ridley
 * Foggy Nelson
 * Hernan Alvarez/Shades - Former Client
 * John McIver/Bushmaster - Former Client
 * Blake Tower

Trivia

 * In the comics, Benjamin "Big Ben" Donovan was a lawyer from Harlem and an acquaintance of Luke Cage, but became a criminal over time.