WASHINGTON — After the Wilkinson Stekloff team won a decisive trial victory for Bayer in a $600 million certified consumer class action lawsuit brought on behalf of One A Day multivitamin consumers, American Healthcare Leader’s (AHL) Sara Deeter highlighted how Walsh and Eskovitz’s “confidence and strategy” helped Bayer win a “resounding victory” in such a “high stakes” case. Without calling any witnesses in the defense case, the Wilkinson Stekloff team — led by Sean Eskovitz, Alex Walsh, James Rosenthal, and Kieran Gostin — relied on devastating cross-examinations of plaintiffs’ expert and fact witnesses, which were “pivotal” and “yielded further important insights.” The cross-examinations were so effective that it only took the jury one hour to reject plaintiffs’ claims that Bayer had misrepresented the health benefits of One A Day multivitamins. The feature acknowledged one of Wilkinson Stekloff’s key strategies to engaging with the jury in a case that centered on …
Wilkinson Stekloff Associates Win Client’s Release in Pro Bono Resentencing Case
October 9, 2019
Washington, D.C. — Wilkinson Stekloff associates Betsy Henthorne and Hayter Whitman, with assistance from partner Rakesh Kilaru, helped secure the early release of their pro bono client, Momolu Stewart, who had been sentenced to life in prison at the age of 16. Following Wilkinson Stekloff’s successful efforts, Stewart, who is now 39 years old, was released from prison this week. Under a recent Washington, D.C., law, the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act (known as “IRAA”), Stewart was eligible to ask the court to reduce his sentence because he was under 18 at the time of the crime and had served more than 15 years in prison. Wilkinson Stekloff successfully argued that Stewart should be resentenced based on, among other factors, the circumstances of his childhood, his accomplishments during his time in prison, and his demonstrated rehabilitation and fitness to society. “The Wilkinson Stekloff team is honored to stand beside Mr. Stewart …
Assistant US Attorney Moira Penza Joins Wilkinson Stekloff
September 4, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wilkinson Stekloff announced today that Moira Kim Penza has joined the firm’s rapidly growing litigation practice as a partner in its New York office. Moira is an experienced prosecutor who has handled numerous high stakes matters, most recently serving as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, primarily in the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit. “It is an honor and pleasure to join such a young but already renowned firm,” said Penza. “Wilkinson Stekloff has made a name for itself over the last few years as a litigation powerhouse led by skilled attorneys. I am thrilled to work with such a talented group of litigators on winning high-profile and high-stakes trials.” “We are excited to welcome Moira to the Wilkinson Stekloff family,” said Wilkinson Stekloff founding partner Beth Wilkinson. “Moira’s experience as a trial lawyer and her experience with both criminal and civil …
Wilkinson Stekloff’s Beth Wilkinson, Alex Walsh Again Named “Top Women in Litigation” by Benchmark
August 27, 2019
WASHINGTON – For the second consecutive year, Wilkinson Stekloff founding partners Beth Wilkinson and Alexandra Walsh were ranked among Benchmark Litigation’s “Top 250 Women in Litigation,” a recognition of “the most distinguished women in the world of litigation.” In addition, Beth Wilkinson was again named among the “Top 10 Female Litigators” in the country, which recognizes “a separate but elite group of leading lawyers who have been nominated specifically for their litigious acumen.” “Beth and Alex’s repeated recognition by Benchmark is a testament to their leadership at our firm and their expertise in the courtroom,” said Wilkinson Stekloff Managing Partner Brant Bishop. “In an industry that continues to suffer from an underrepresentation of women – especially in leadership roles – we are proud to have trailblazers like Beth and Alex.” Benchmark’s extensive research process encompasses months of investigation into the individual litigators’ professional activities as well as client feedback surveys and individual …
Wilkinson Stekloff Leads the Way in Legal Aid’s Generous Associates Campaign
August 15, 2019
WASHINGTON — The Legal Aid Society recently recognized Wilkinson Stekloff for its record-breaking contributions to its Generous Associates Campaign, an annual fundraiser to help support Legal Aid’s efforts representing those most in need. Wilkinson Stekloff raised the most money from firms with 50 attorneys or fewer, and topped the “Per Attorney Giving” competition, raising $1,452 per attorney in the D.C. office. “Our firm is strongly committed to pro bono representation, and we are thrilled to support Legal Aid’s mission to bring fair and equal access to justice for all,” said Wilkinson Stekloff Founding Partner Alex Walsh. “We look forward to continuing to support Legal Aid’s important work representing those most in need.” The Generous Associates Campaign is an annual fundraiser dating back to 1990. Led by associates at 82 law firms in DC and chaired by an associate co-chair committee, nearly 5,000 attorneys and staff contributed to the Campaign this year. …
Wilkinson Stekloff Partners Rakesh Kilaru, Kosta Stojilkovic Again Named to Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List”
August 14, 2019
WASHINGTON – For the second consecutive year, Wilkinson Stekloff partners Rakesh Kilaru and Kosta Stojilkovic have been selected as leading litigation attorneys in Benchmark Litigation’s 2019 “40 & Under Hot List.” The annual ranking recognizes the “best and brightest law firm partners who stand out in their practices throughout the US” and who are “among the top young talent in their respective litigation communities.” “Rakesh and Kosta continue to demonstrate what it means to be stellar attorneys and exemplary role models,” said Wilkinson Stekloff Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson. “Their back-to-back recognitions from Benchmark validate the unparalleled performance that we see on a daily basis in the office and in the courtroom. On behalf of the entire firm, we are so proud of their accomplishments and look forward to their continued success.” Kosta and Rakesh joined Wilkinson Stekloff from the federal government. Kosta was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern …
Wilkinson Stekloff Again Named Top Litigation Boutique by Vault
July 16, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vault named Wilkinson Stekloff the sixth best Litigation Boutique Law Firm in its “2020 Best Law Firm by Practice Area” rankings. Wilkinson Stekloff appeared in these rankings for the second consecutive year, rising one spot from its ranking last year. The award is based on a score determined by a survey of peer firms, where associates vote for the strongest firms in their self-identified practice area. “We are honored to be selected again as one of Vault’s top Litigation Boutique Firms,” said founding partner Sean Eskovitz. “Our exceptional team of talented and committed attorneys has distinguished us as a go-to firm that is developing the next generation of trial lawyers while consistently delivering outstanding results for our clients.” Vault previously recognized Wilkinson Stekloff’s excellence in several other rankings. It named Wilkinson Stekloff as the sixth best midsize law firm. Among other accolades, Vault ranked Wilkinson Stekloff second for compensation, third for diversity, and fourth for pro bono. In addition, Vault selected Wilkinson Stekloff for its “Top 150 Under 150” list, which recognizes “outstanding law firms …
Chambers Recognizes Wilkinson Stekloff’s Beth Wilkinson For “Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession”
June 19, 2019
WASHINGTON — Wilkinson Stekloff founding partner Beth Wilkinson was recognized by Chambers and Partners with the “Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession” award for exceptional achievements in litigation. Chambers wrote that “there is no shortage of acclaim for [Beth’s] exceptional handling of industry-defining disputes for international giants such as Bayer and Facebook, which sees her described by one peer as ‘the go-to person for any trial you’d have.’” Peer litigators described Beth as “one of the finest trial lawyers in the country today” and “truly extraordinary,” with Chambers noting that “she stands out for consistently achieving excellence in all settings.” “I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition from Chambers,” said Wilkinson. “This award is possible only because of standout work by the entire Wilkinson Stekloff team, who consistently deliver impressive results for all of our clients.” Since founding Wilkinson Stekloff four years ago, Wilkinson has notched a string …
Maximus Dismissal Affirmed by Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
June 18, 2019
WASHINGTON — The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit unanimously upheld a major victory for Wilkinson Stekloff client MAXIMUS Inc., affirming the dismissal of a securities fraud class action case at the motion to dismiss stage, before any discovery was taken. Just 38 days after Wilkinson Stekloff’s Brant Bishop argued the case in the Fourth Circuit, the Court issued a two-page opinion stating that, after “having carefully considered the record and the briefs and arguments of the parties, we find ourselves in agreement with the district court that the complaint fails to allege a material misrepresentation.” The opinion was joined by Circuit Judges Motz, King, and Thacker. In August 2017, MAXIMUS was sued under sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, based on allegations that the company, along with several members of its executive team, had over the course of several months made …
Wilkinson Stekloff Announces Three Promotions
June 6, 2019
WASHINGTON — Wilkinson Stekloff today announced three promotions. Kieran Gostin and Ralia Polechronis were elected to the partnership, and Andrew Croner was promoted to counsel. The promotions took effect on June 1. “Kieran, Ralia, and Andrew have each in their own ways played an integral role in many of the firm’s successes, from inside the courtroom to mentoring fellow colleagues,” said founding partner Alex Walsh. “We are truly fortunate to have them in the Wilkinson Stekloff family. Their well-deserved promotions are a testament to their value to the firm.” An experienced defense attorney, Kieran has represented government and corporate clients in products liability, antitrust, data breach, copyright, national security, First Amendment, Privacy Act, Administrative Procedure Act, and other complex civil litigation matters. Kieran recently helped lead a trial team that won a decisive victory for Bayer in a $600 million certified consumer class action lawsuit (Farar et al. v. Bayer) …