Benjamin Kota

Benjamin Kota, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, helps the National Wildlife Federation achieve its mission by providing legal guidance and risk mitigation strategies to the organization and its Board of Directors. As Corporate Secretary, Kota acts as the Board liaison and manages the governance functions of the Board. Kota joined the National Wildlife Federation in 2013 and has over 15 years of legal expertise in nonprofit advocacy and fundraising, corporate governance, affinity marketing, employment law, real estate, litigation, and intellectual property rights. Actively engaged in all aspects of the organization, one of his top priorities is to ensure advocacy and fundraising strategies and tactics comply with various state and federal rules and regulations.

Kota is a registered patent attorney. Prior to joining the National Wildlife Federation, he helped foreign and domestic companies protect and enforce valuable intellectual property rights. He grew up in rural Gowanda, New York, and enjoys returning to his hometown to explore the natural beauty of Zoar Valley. Kota holds a B.S. in biology from St. Bonaventure University and a J.D. from the UIC John Marshall Law School with a certificate in intellectual property.