For a second consecutive week, Law360 and the American Lawyer have recognized Wilkinson Stekloff in their weekly features. Law360’s Legal Lions of the Week and AmLaw’s Litigator’s of the Week Runners-Up and Shout-Outs acknowledge the Ninth Circuit’s decision affirming Wilkinson Stekloff’s victory at trial defending Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Wilkinson Stekloff’s appellate team was headed by Rakesh Kilaru — who led the briefing effort and argued the appeal for Microsoft before the Ninth Circuit in December 2023 — and Beth Wilkinson — whom the American Lawyer previously recognized as Litigator of the Week for the trial court win — and also included partners Kieran Gostin and Sarah Neuman, and associate Jenna Pavelec. A Sidley Austin team led by Will Levi, along with Rick Beckner and Daniel Hay, was also essential to Microsoft’s success before the court of appeals. In July 2023, Wilkinson Stekloff secured a groundbreaking victory on behalf …
Wilkinson Stekloff Recognized by Law360 and the American Lawyer for NCAA Victory Against Past NIL Claims
May 6, 2025
On May 2, Law360 recognized Wilkinson Stekloff in its Legal Lions of the Week feature for winning dismissal of all claims in Chalmers, et al. v. NCAA, et al., in the Southern District of New York. In addition, the American Lawyer acknowledged the victory by the NCAA and major athletic conferences in their Litigator’s of the Week Runners-Up and Shout-Outs. The Wilkinson Stekloff team was led by Rakesh Kilaru, and included Cali Arat, Tamarra Matthews Johnson, Daniel Epps, and Matthew Skanchy. Chalmers—who famously made a game-tying three-point shot at the end of regulation in the 2008 men’s basketball national championship game—filed his complaint against the NCAA and six major athletic conferences, seeking to represent a sprawling nationwide class of former student-athletes dating back more than 40 years. Chalmers claimed the class members’ NIL had been used improperly by the NCAA in advertising “March Madness” and its other championships. Rakesh led …
The 2024 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll Recognized 16 Wilkinson Stekloff Attorneys
May 2, 2025
The District of Columbia Courts, in partnership with the D.C. Access to Justice Commission and the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, recognized 16 Wilkinson Stekloff attorneys on its 2024 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll. Established in 2011, the Honor Roll recognizes attorneys who have dedicated 50 or more hours to pro bono service, with those performing 100 or more hours receiving High Honors distinction. These honorees make a significant impact by providing critical legal assistance to indigent individuals, under-resourced small businesses, and vital community-based nonprofits. The Wilkinson Stekloff attorneys recognized include: Tania Martinez, Associate (High Honors)Mikaela Meyer, Associate (High Honors)Logan Page, Associate (High Honors)Dhruti Patel, Associate (High Honors)Jenna Pavelec, Associate (High Honors)Quinton Weinstein, Associate (High Honors)Jeremy Barber, PartnerKieran Gostin, PartnerRakesh Kilaru, PartnerSarah Neuman, PartnerMatthew Skanchy, CounselAnthony Ferrara, AssociateElizabeth Keys, AssociateKellen McCoy, AssociateDeon McCray, AssociateJasper Primack, Associate Pro bono representation is woven into the fabric of Wilkinson Stekloff. Since its founding …
Wilkinson Stekloff Partners Kosta Stojilkovic and Moira Penza Selected to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers
April 21, 2025
After being named among the 500 Leading Lawyers in America, Wilkinson Stekloff partners Kosta Stojilkovic and Moira Penza were honored again earlier this year by Lawdragon on their inaugural list of 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers. Kosta’s current antitrust matters include representing Hewlett Packard Enterprise in defense of its proposed $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks, where trial is scheduled for this July. He is also defending Cargill, one of the largest privately held companies in the world, in multi-district antitrust litigation concerning the Cattle and Beef industries, including numerous putative class actions as well as stand-alone cases brought by dozens of Fortune 500 companies. Kosta has also represented Amazon in multiple merger reviews and is part of the company’s defense team in ongoing litigation opposite the Federal Trade Commission and various State Attorneys General. Moira is leading Cargill’s defense alongside Kosta, as well as representing Altria in …
Ten Wilkinson Stekloff Partners Selected to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America
April 8, 2025
For a tenth consecutive year – each year since the founding of the firm – Wilkinson Stekloff partners have been honored on the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America list. After founding partner Beth Wilkinson was inducted into Lawdragon’s Hall of Fame in 2024, the firm has placed ten partners on the publication’s 20th edition of their flagship guide. The 500 Leading Lawyers in America is an annual guide that recognizes the most influential attorneys in the nation. The lawyers chosen for this list lead matters across the country in a variety of jurisdictions but have one thing in common – they achieve success for their clients. The honorees are identified through a nomination process and rigorous independent research, including vetting with peers and competitors to ensure those selected are truly at the top of the legal field. The ten Wilkinson Stekloff partners honored as Leading Lawyers are: Brian L. …
Keri Arnold Recognized by Crain’s New York Business Among Notable Litigators & Trial Lawyers
March 27, 2025
Wilkinson Stekloff Partner Keri Arnold has been recognized by Crain’s New York Business among the 2025 Notable Litigators & Trial Lawyers. This honor celebrates experienced leaders in the industry who serve in senior roles, exemplifying mentorship and inclusivity in the workplace and community. The attorneys selected demonstrate expertise in the courtroom, taking the country’s most significant matters to trial. Keri has defended Fortune 500 corporations in high-stakes litigation for over twenty years. A true trial attorney, she has served as first-chair counsel in over a dozen cases tried to verdict. Keri was recently a member of the team that secured a groundbreaking victory for Microsoft, defeating the FTC’s efforts to enjoin its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard and winning the second-biggest merger trial in American history. Keri is currently representing major chemical manufacturing corporation 3M in the multidistrict AFFF Products Liability Litigation. She will be part of the trial …
Wilkinson Stekloff Named Trial Firm of the Year by Benchmark Litigation For Second Straight Year
March 12, 2025
Benchmark Litigation honored Wilkinson Stekloff as the “Trial Firm of the Year” at their 2025 U.S. Awards on March 7, the second year in a row that the firm has received that recognition. Benchmark’s recognition stems from another outstanding year of high-profile trials for Wilkinson Stekloff. Led by founding partners Beth Wilkinson and Brian Stekloff, and partner Rakesh Kilaru, the firm led the NFL’s defense of their “Sunday Ticket” subscription package, scoring a total victory for the NFL. Devastating cross-examinations of Plaintiffs’ experts by Beth and Brian led to the Judge granting post-trial Daubert motions and judgment as a matter of law, wiping out a $4.7 billion verdict prior to trebling. The firm also was shortlisted for “Boutique Firm of the Year” and “D.C. Firm of the Year,” while Beth and Brian were named for the second year in a row as finalists for “Trial Lawyer of the Year” and …
Wilkinson Stekloff Secures Pro Bono Win in Second Amendment Case
January 21, 2025
Wilkinson Stekloff secured a favorable settlement for a pro bono client whose firearm license was unconstitutionally revoked by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). In the summer of 2019, our client applied for a firearm registration certificate and a concealed pistol license. He complied with every step of D.C.’s rigorous application process, and satisfied each of D.C.’s stringent statutory and regulatory requirements. After reviewing his applications and all relevant facts, MPD rightfully approved both applications. Yet just six months later, MPD revoked both his firearm registration certificate and concealed pistol license based on his history of arrests alone— even though those arrests had not resulted in any convictions and the most serious charges against him had been dropped by the government after further investigation revealed that he had not committed the crimes of which he had been accused. Wilkinson Stekloff filed a lawsuit under Section 1983, arguing that MPD’s revocation …
Eleven Associates Join Wilkinson Stekloff
January 16, 2025
Wilkinson Stekloff is pleased to announce the addition of 11 associates to the firm. This new class consists of highly accomplished attorneys who share a commitment to trial work and pro bono service. “Developing the next wave of skilled trial attorneys is central to our firm’s identity. We are proud to welcome a class of such intelligent and driven associates. They will undoubtedly strengthen our team and deliver meaningful value to our clients,” said Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson. “Our commitment to high-stakes trial work continues to attract top-tier talent. This incoming class brings impressive credentials, diverse experiences, and a passion for excellence. We look forward to supporting their professional growth,” said Founding Partner Brian Stekloff. The new WS associates include: Tomi AkinmolaTomi returns to the firm after serving as a law clerk to Judge Jamar K. Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Tomi attended Washington and …
Wilkinson Stekloff Obtains Protective Order for Pro Bono Client
January 9, 2025
Wilkinson Stekloff Associates Mikaela Meyer and Anthony Ferrara recently obtained a civil protective order for a pro bono client who had been the victim of domestic violence by her husband. After multiple other incidents, in October 2023, the client’s husband became enraged when hearing her speaking in Spanish to her grandfather about her mother’s then-recent stroke. The husband assaulted the client, causing physical injuries. The client quickly obtained a temporary restraining order, but the hearing for a long-term restraining order was delayed until December 16, 2024, due to a pending criminal case against the husband. During the long-awaited hearing, Mikaela delivered the opening statement and expertly walked the client through her direct testimony. Anthony delivered closing arguments and handled three cross-examinations, effectively undermining the credibility of the husband’s case. At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge granted the protective order, allowing the client to obtain justice for the abuse she suffered both …