Benjamin C. Block

Ben Block is an experienced litigator, having served as first chair in federal and state court trials and appeals, as well as in numerous arbitrations.  He has considerable experience litigating and advising sports entities, including the NFL, with regard to a range of matters.  On behalf of both sports- and non-sports clients, Mr. Block often handles cases involving high-stakes requests for preliminary injunctive relief.

Representative Matters

• Representing the NFL in negotiation of the collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association.
• Successfully defending the NFL in Brady v. NFL, against antitrust challenges to the 2011 lockout. 
• Representing the BIG EAST Conference in litigation to uphold the validity and enforceability of the Conference Bylaw withdrawal provisions.
• Successfully defending the NFL against the claims in Atwater v. NFLPA, et. al., (11th Cir. 2010) (negligence and negligent misrepresentation), Vilma v. Goodell (E.D. La. 2013 (defamation), Mancina v. NFL (E.D. La. 2013) (consumer fraud), and Stringer v. NFL (S.D. Ohio 2005) (wrongful death).
• Representing patentholders in Hatch-Waxman litigation, including a lead role in securing a preliminary injunction and recall order against an infringing generic company, and in securing judgment after a bench trial.
• Representing pharmaceutical clients challenging regulatory action as in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, including motions for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctive relief.

Previous Experience

• United States Army, Armor Branch, Officer (1993-1998)

Honors and Rankings

• Washington DC Super Lawyer, Litigation (2013)

Pro Bono

• Filed amicus briefs, cited by the Supreme Court in its decision, in support of petition for certiorari and on the merits regarding Apprendi issues associated with criminal fines.  See Southern Union Co. v. United States, No. 11-94 (2012).

Publications and Speeches

• "A Short History of NFL Labor Disputes," Delaware Lawyer (Winter 2012/Winter 2013), Co-Author
• "Bradley, Breyer, Bush & Beyond," 15 U. Fla. J.L. & Pub. Pol’y 57 (2003), Author
• "Note, The Strange Career of VAWA: Chief Justice Rehnquist and the Shift from "Political" to "Constitutional" Federalism," 16 J.L. & Pol. 499 (2001), Author