BLOCH & WHITE
IN THE NEWS
How a CEO’s murder offers a dark glimpse into the anonymous world of 3D-printed guns
Bloch & White founders Ben White and Mike Bloch sit down to discuss the dangers of ghost gun proliferation, as well as the ways that meaningful change can come about from holding entities responsible in court for harms caused by their products.
December 19, 2024
Bloch & White Recognized in Chambers New York Spotlight Guide 2025
New York City (November 12, 2024) – Bloch & White LLP is proud to announce that the firm has been ranked in New York Chambers Spotlight 2025 Guide and recognized as a top small firm handling high-quality work, serving clients in New York and beyond. The firm is especially grateful to have achieved this well-regarded recognition in just its third year of operations.
Launched last year, the Chambers Spotlight rankings are designed to shine a light on the best small and medium-sized firms across key regions in the United States. Firms ranked in the New York edition are recognized for their strengths in key practice areas vital to the region’s businesses and residents. Bloch & White was honored for its exceptional work and commitment to the New York legal community, receiving recognition for its general commercial litigation practice.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by Chambers and Partners in their Spotlight Ranking for New York. Our inclusion in this ranking is a testament to our commitment to providing client-centered representation and guiding case strategy with a focus on delivering optimal outcomes for our clients,” said Benjamin White, partner and co-founder of Bloch & White.
This year, rankings in Chambers Regional Spotlight New York were awarded to 210 firms, spanning 7 regions and 24 practice areas. Selections were based on independent and in-depth market analysis, coupled with an assessment of firms’ depth of experience and caliber of talent. Bloch & White was one of only 44 firms in New York to be acknowledged for leading work in general commercial litigation as part of Chambers Spotlight ranking.
“As Bloch & White continues to grow, we are guided by our founding values of equity, dignity and justice. For us, that means thinking critically and thoughtfully about our place in the New York legal market and how we can make an impact through our work and the clients we serve. Having launched just over two years ago, we are incredibly proud to receive this acknowledgement from Chambers and look forward to serving the region for many years to come,” said Michael Bloch, partner and co-founding partner of Bloch & White.
To learn more about Bloch & White LLP’s Chambers ranking, please visit this link.
Ben White Honored as a “2024 Rising Star” by the New York Law Journal
New York City (September 5, 2024) – Bloch & White co-founder Ben White was recognized as one of the New York Law Journal’s 2024 Rising Stars at their annual dinner in New York. The Rising Star awards recognize New York’s most promising lawyers age 40 and younger. Rising Star awards are awarded in connection with the NYLJ’s Annual Professional Excellence Awards, which “honor attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York – whether in shaping the law, achieving outsized results for their clients, being an outstanding jurist or assisting those in need of legal services.”
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Unanimously Reverses Dismissal of Bloch & White Client’s Habeas Corpus Petition
New York City (October 16, 2024) – Bloch & White is thrilled to announce a victory for our client, Wolfe Margolies.
In 2019, Mr. Margolies was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to a two-count indictment. In 2022, he filed a pro se habeas corpus petition, arguing that he had received ineffective assistance of counsel during the plea-bargaining process, as his attorney had not advised him of or investigated several defenses he had to the charges against him. S.D.N.Y. Judge Kimba Wood denied Mr. Margolies’ petition without holding an evidentiary hearing. Represented by Bloch & White, Mr. Margolies appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Bloch & White partner Benjamin White argued before Judges Richard Sullivan, Pierre Leval, and Sarah Merriam of the Second Circuit on May 29, 2024.
Today, the Second Circuit unanimously vacated and remanded Judge Wood’s denial of Mr. Margolies’ petition. We applaud the Second Circuit’s decision upholding Mr. Margolies’ Sixth Amendment rights.
Nominees Announced for the 45th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards
“No Accident” is nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Current Affairs Documentary. The film follows the Sines v. Kessler trial team and stars Bloch & White co-founder Michael Bloch.
July 25, 2024
The Lists Are In: New York Law Journal Presents Winners and Finalists for Annual Professional Excellence Awards
Bloch & White partner Ben White is honored as one of the New York Law Journal’s 2024 Rising Stars.
By Andrew Denney
July 10, 2024
Claims the Trump jury verdict was not unanimous are false
Mike Bloch sits down with Verify to debunk false claims about the Trump verdict.
By Kelly Jones and Casey Decker
May 31, 2024
The National Law Journal Announces 2024 Elite Trial Lawyers Awards Finalists
Bloch & White is nominated as a 2024 Elite Trial Lawyers finalist in the Civil Rights category.
By Pearl Wu
May 9, 2024
Bloch & White Adds Experienced Civil Rights Attorney Len Kamdang as Counsel
New York City (May 6, 2024) – Bloch & White LLP is proud to announce the addition of Len Kamdang to the firm as Counsel. Mr. Kamdang brings a breadth of experience, having served as a civil rights attorney, impact civil litigator, and public defender, and has built a sterling reputation over two decades of fiercely and skillfully advocating for his clients.
Mr. Kamdang joins Bloch & White from Everytown Law, the litigation arm of the largest gun violence prevention organization in America, where he was Senior Director, Litigation Strategy and Trials. At Everytown, Mr. Kamdang played a pivotal role in advocating for gun violence prevention. Amongst many others, he worked on notable cases such as California vs. Polymer80 et al., where the city of Los Angeles sued the nation’s leading seller of ghost guns for their negligent and illegal business practices. The suit resulted in a first-of-its-kind five-million-dollar settlement.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Kamdang spent more than a decade as an Assistant Federal Defender in the Eastern District of New York, where he distinguished himself as one of the winningest trial attorneys in the office’s history. He also worked as a Staff Attorney at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia where he was undefeated as lead counsel in felony jury trials.
“We are thrilled to welcome Len to Bloch & White. His unparalleled track record as a trial attorney and commitment to excellent, client-centered advocacy aligns directly with our firm’s values and mission, ensuring that every client receives the highest standard of representation,” said Michael Bloch, partner and co-founder of Bloch & White.
“With Len’s addition, we are poised to further develop the exciting trajectory of the firm. Len’s remarkable experience and broad set of skills will strengthen our firm’s dedication to championing our clients’ causes across the wide range of matters that we work on while justly serving the community through impactful litigation,” added Benjamin White, partner and co-founder of Bloch & White.
Mr. Kamdang has taught courses in Trial Advocacy and Legal Ethics at CUNY Law School and lectured about trial skills at additional law schools including New York University School of Law, Columbia Law School, and Georgetown University Law Center. In 2023-2024, Len served as a Wasserstein Fellow at Harvard Law School.
“I look forward to joining the team at Bloch & White and leveraging my trial skills and background to help drive the important outcomes they are fighting for every day on behalf of clients,” said Mr. Kamdang, “I am excited to work alongside this exceptional team and continue to build upon this firm’s core values of excellence and effecting meaningful change.”
Mr. Kamdang graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and Georgetown University. After graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Lois Bloom in the Eastern District of New York and worked as an Honors Paralegal Specialist in the Department of Justice in the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section of the Civil Rights Division.
A police officer was accused of spying for China. The charges were dropped, but the NYPD fired him
By Dave Collins
March 20, 2024
Michigan man who was accidently shot in face with ghost gun sues manufacturer and former friend
By Corey Williams
March 12, 2024
‘Ghost Gun’ Co. Sued In Mich. For Selling To Teen Shooter
By Danielle Ferguson
March 12, 2024
Michigan man accidentally shot in face with ghost gun sues manufacturer, ex-friend
By Corey Williams
March 12, 2024
Michigan shooting survivor sues after former friend shot him in face with ghost gun
By Clara Hendrickson
March 12, 2024
Michael Bloch: A Passion to Defend Victims of Persecution
By Jennifer Andrus
December 4, 2023
Pro Say: Meet the Lawyers Who Took On White Supremacy
November 3, 2023
Attys Spotlighted in HBO Documentary on Charlottesville Suit
By Andrea Keckley
October 13, 2023
New Documentary Sheds Light on Charlottesville Trial
By Steve Scarpa
October 11, 2023
‘No Accident’ Review: Putting White Supremacists on Trial
By Nicholas Rapold
October 10, 2023
The Lawyers Who Refused to Let Neo-Nazis Off the Hook
By Nick Schager
October 10, 2023
Premiering Tonight: HBO Doc on the “Unite the Right” Trial
By Alison Preece
October 10, 2023
Charlottesville: ‘No Accident’ Documentary Follows Unite the Right Civil Lawsuit, Attorneys, Plaintiffs
By Crystal Graham
October 4, 2023
Michael Bloch to Be Featured in “No Accident” Documentary
HBO Original documentary chronicles legal team’s dogged efforts to prosecute white supremacists following deadly Charlottesville rally
New York City (September 29, 2023) – Bloch & White LLP is proud to share their involvement in the upcoming HBO Original documentary, “No Accident.” The documentary will premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival on September 29, and will be available to stream on HBO Max on October 10.
“No Accident” documents the seminal lawsuit, Sines v. Kessler, which was filed against 17 white nationalist leaders and organizations on behalf of the nine plaintiffs who suffered physical and emotional injuries while peacefully counter protesting the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville. The lawsuit alleged that the event was not an isolated, spontaneous gathering, but rather a well-planned and coordinated conspiracy to incite racially motivated violence and to advance an anti-Semitic, race-war agenda.
The documentary chronicles the years-long efforts of the legal team to develop and deploy a strategy to hold white supremacist organizers accountable and to put hate on trial. It follows members of the team, including Michael Bloch, who served as co-lead counsel, and Benjamin White, in their fight to give a voice to everyday citizens in standing up to condemn hate. The team secured a historic $26 million judgement for plaintiffs following a four-week jury trial.
“Sines was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to seek justice following the violence that caused loss of life and overwhelming physical and emotional pain for members of the Charlottesville community. We are deeply grateful for director Kristi Jacobson and the production team behind the documentary for allowing us to share the stories of the plaintiffs we fought to represent and for understanding the importance of keeping this story—and the fight against white supremacy—alive,” said Michael Bloch.
The documentary was directed by Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker Kristi Jacobson. Those featured in the film include attorneys Roberta Kaplan, Karen Dunn, Michael Bloch and Jessica Phillips and plaintiffs Marissa Blair, April Muñiz, Natalie Romero, Elizabeth Sines, Devin Willis and Seth Wispelwey.
“The impact of Sines sent a clear message that the actions of violent extremists, and their underlining ideologies, must be dealt with head on. “No Accident” captures the tremendous work that went into this case and reinforces how bringing light to these issues, and the individuals involved, can help force them back into the shadows. We are so appreciative of everyone involved in helping this documentary come together,” added Benjamin White.
Bloch & White was launched in 2022 in part to litigate high impact public interest matters, including in the spheres of political extremism, criminal justice reform, gun violence and many others. Michael and Benjamin’s work in Sines v. Kessler helped influence the trajectory of their careers and their steadfast commitment to equity, dignity and justice.
More information about the documentary can be found here and the official trailer can be viewed here.
Image courtesy of HBO
This Man’s Conviction Was Overturned After Two Years in Prison. But the City Said He Didn’t Deserve a Dime.
By Jake Pearson and Mike Haynes
April 27, 2023
$2M False Arrest Win May Spawn New Legal Fights for NYPD
By Marco Poggio
April 21, 2023
Another Round of Litigator of the Week Runners-Up and Shout Outs
By Ross Todd
March 24, 2023
Why More Young Attorneys Are Striking Out On Their Own
By Rachel Rippetoe
March 1, 2023
The Charlottesville Trial Against ‘Unite the Right’ Revealed the True Essence of White Supremacists—One Year Later, the Threat is Still Real
By Michael Bloch and Benjamin White
December 9, 2022
In Their Words: What It’s Like to Start a Boutique Law Firm
By Aebra Coe
September 21, 2022
Bodega Worker Case Exposes Key Flaw in NY Legal System
By Michael Bloch
July 22, 2022
Battling the Bullies of the Alt-Right
By Steve Scarpa
July 12, 2022
White Supremacists’ Terrifying Disguise of Acting in ‘Self-Defense’
By Michael Bloch and Benjamin White
July 12, 2022
Ex-Kaplan Hecker & Fink Attorneys Form New Firm in Manhattan
By Jason Grant
June 13, 2022
San Fran Recall A REBUKE Of Progressive Crime Reform, Or Media Complicit In COPAGANDA?
June 9, 2022
By Karen Sloan
June 8, 2022
By Matt Perez
June 8, 2022
June 8, 2022
March 24, 2022
March 17, 2022
Acclaimed Civil Rights Litigator Michael Bloch Met with Students at Community Day School As Part of its International Holocaust Remembrance Day
February 1, 2022
November 23, 2021
Jury awards plaintiffs $25 million in lawsuit against white supremacists behind violence at Charlottesville ‘Unite the Right’ rally
November 23, 2021
Charlottesville rally organizers found liable by jury
By Joseph Choi
November 23, 2021
By Grace Dixon
November 19, 2021
November 16, 2021
Unite the Right organizer appeared to instruct followers to mislead law enforcement, court evidence suggests
By Ellie Silverman
November 15, 2021
By Macy Moors
November 15, 2021
November 9, 2021
Richard Spencer, questioned in Charlottesville trial, downplays evidence of racist and violent intent
By Ellie Silverman
November 5, 2021
By Christopher Miller
November 4, 2021
By Tyler Hammel
November 4, 2021
‘We Don’t Settle With Nazis’: Inside the Years-Long Legal Process to Get the Charlottesville Case to Trial
October 29, 2021
October 24, 2021
By Dave Simpson
September 20, 2021
Taking White Supremacy to Court
June 10, 2021
May 21, 2021
October 30, 2020
How the Deadly Charlottesville Rally, the Reported Gov. Whitmer Kidnapping Plot and More Underscore the Continued Threat of Far-Right Extremists
October 13, 2020
July 10, 2020
By Aebra Coe
April 16, 2020
By Sarah Martinson
April 14, 2020
2nd Circ. Urges Atty Access For Detainees Amid Pandemic
March 22, 2020
By Samantha Michaels
January 10, 2020