Benjamin C. Block

About
Representative Matters
Credentials

About
A commercial litigator, Ben Block is a nationally recognized sports lawyer with first-chair trial and appellate experience. On behalf of both sports- and non-sports clients, Ben often handles cases involving high-stakes requests for preliminary injunctive relief.
Areas of Expertise

Litigation and Investigations

Appellate and Supreme Court

Commercial Litigation

International Arbitration

Class Actions

Insurance Recovery

Regulatory and Public Policy

Antitrust/Competition

Antitrust Litigation

Food, Drug, and Device

Pharma and Biotech

Health Care

Sports

Life Sciences
Practices and Industries
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 / American Athletic Conference in multiple litigations related to conference realignment.
- Representing the American Athletic Conference in multidistrict class action antitrust litigation regarding collegiate athletics eligibility rules.
- Successfully defending the NFL and/or NFL Clubs against the claims in Evans v. Arizona Cardinals, et al., (9th Cir. 2019) (putative class action), 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 the NFL in labor arbitration disputes with the NFL Players Association (e.g., Jimmy Graham, Jonathan Fanene, Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress).
Successfully representing the NFL against challenge to its Draft eligibility rules in Clarett v. NFL (2d Cir.)

Representing pharmaceutical clients challenging regulatory action as in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, including motions for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctive relief. See, e.g., Amarin Pharms., Ireland, Ltd. v. FDA, 139 F.Supp.3d 437 (D.D.C. 2015).

Successfully representing HCA hospitals in litigation regarding reimbursement from health insurers for emergency services provided to health exchange plan members.

Representing patent holders in Hatch-Waxman litigation, including a lead role in securing a preliminary injunction and recall order against an infringing generic company, and in several trial wins.
Areas of Expertise

Litigation and Investigations

Appellate and Supreme Court

Commercial Litigation

International Arbitration

Class Actions

Insurance Recovery

Regulatory and Public Policy

Antitrust/Competition

Antitrust Litigation

Food, Drug, and Device

Pharma and Biotech

Health Care

Sports

Life Sciences

Credentials

Education	University of Virginia School of Law, J.D./M.A., 2001 Hardy Cross Dillard Scholarship Goldsten Award for Distinction in the Classroom Virginia Law Review, Executive Editor U.S. Military Academy at West Point, B.S., 1993 Harry S. Truman Scholar
Bar Admissions	District of Columbia Virginia
Judicial Clerkship	Hon. A. Raymond Randolph, U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, 2001 - 2002
Pro Bono	Represented the first-ever certified class action in the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Godsey v. Wilkie, No. 17-4361 Representing military families on Fort Meade bringing claims related to deplorable housing conditions, Addi, et al. v. Corvias Management-Army, LLC, et al., No. 19-cv-03253 (D. Md.) Filed Third Circuit amicus brief on behalf of Karen Korematsu, Jay Hirabayashi, and Holly Yasui, arguing for reversal of dismissal of Equal Protection claims in Hassan v. City of New York. 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). Representing veterans in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Representing clients in criminal and habeas appeals in the 6th Circuit.
Accolades	Chambers USA, Sports Law (2014-2019) Legal 500 US, Sports (2014-2016) Washington DC Super Lawyer, Litigation (2013-2019)
Memberships and Affiliations	National Veterans Legal Services Program, Member of the Board
Previous Experience	United States Army, Armor Branch, Officer (1993-1998)

Professionals

Recently Viewed

A Conversation with Our Women Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers

Practices and Industries

Sustainability Toolkit: What GCs Need to Know

Recently Viewed

News You May Be Interested In

PR Contacts

David Schaefer

Global Reach

Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

How Can We Help You?

Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

Benjamin C. Block

Areas of Expertise

Areas of Expertise

Areas of Expertise

News and Insights

Search.Headlines.Events