WASHINGTON, D.C. — Benchmark Litigation has honored three Wilkinson Stekloff partners on its exclusive “40 & Under Hot List” of the most notable up-and-coming litigators in the U.S. Kieran Gostin, Rakesh Kilaru, and Moira Penza were noted as being among the best and brightest young law firm partners in the country, based on Benchmark research taking into account their work on noteworthy recent cases and input from clients and peers. Benchmark is hailed as the Definitive Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys. “We are proud to see our partners recognized for their hard work and dedication to achieving great results for our clients,” said Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson. “As a firm, we’re committed to developing the next generation of trial lawyers. Kieran, Rakesh, and Moira exemplify that emerging leadership and are outstanding role models within the firm.” Kieran has been included on the list for the second year in …
Wilkinson Stekloff Partners Rakesh Kilaru and Kieran Gostin Named to Benchmark Litigation “40 & Under Hot List”
July 30, 2020
WASHINGTON – Wilkinson Stekloff Partners Rakesh Kilaru and Kieran Gostin were named to the 2020 Benchmark Litigation “40 & Under Hot List.” Benchmark recognized them as leading and notable up-and-coming litigation partners in the United States. This marks the third consecutive year Rakesh has been recognized by Benchmark. Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson said, “Rakesh and Kieran continue to demonstrate what it means to be stellar attorneys and exemplary role models. I am proud to see their hard work and dedication to achieving the greatest result for their clients in the courtroom being honored and recognized. We are thrilled to have them as part of our team and look forward to their future accomplishments.” Benchmark recognized Rakesh for his involvement in a “wide range of antitrust, sports, product liability, commercial, class action, and appellate litigation,” including high-profile antitrust cases for the national Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Football League …
Beth Wilkinson Featured on Benchmark Litigation Behind the Trial Podcast
March 25, 2020
WASHINGTON – Wilkinson Stekloff Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson recently joined the Benchmark Litigation Behind the Trial podcast for an in-depth discussion on trial practice. The episode is focused on the art of persuading juries. Wilkinson discussed the front lines of trial practice and some of her tricks of the trade. “One of the arts of trial work is be able to take something that is complicated and get it down to its essence,” Wilkinson said. “I am not an expert in any area of the law, or science or technology. The learning process I go through allows me to turn around and be a teacher to the jury.” Wilkinson’s additional advice included telling lawyers to “start with what do you want to argue in closing arguments.” Wilkinson also emphasized the importance of developing memorable and personally resonant themes: “When you think about learning, the first time you don’t learn it as …
Wilkinson Stekloff Celebrates Another Outstanding Year of High Stakes Trials and Accolades for the Next Generation of Trial Lawyers
December 30, 2019
WASHINGTON –Wilkinson Stekloff enters its fifth year having cemented its status as the premier trial litigation boutique in the country. 2019 featured three high-stakes, high-pressure trials, in which different partners served as lead trial counsel and eight partners in total had stand-up roles. The firm continued to receive accolades for its successes in delivering results to its clients while deepening its diverse bench of go-to litigators.
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 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 Celebrates Banner Year of High Stakes Trial Wins By Next Generation Of Trial Lawyers
January 7, 2019
WASHINGTON – Wilkinson Stekloff is racing into its fourth year after notching a series of high-profile victories, led by a large and diverse group of partners. In 2018, all of Wilkinson Stekloff’s partners participated in trials and case-dispositive hearings, and several other attorneys achieved significant on-their-feet experience, including through pro bono cases. The firm earned repeated recognition for the depth and successes of its bench and added a new crop of talented litigators to its roster. Wilkinson Stekloff won three trials in 2018, each of which was first-chaired by a different partner: On April 27, 2018, Wilkinson Stekloff, led by Brian Stekloff, Jeremy Barber, and Lori McGill, won a unanimous defense verdict for Bayer and Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals in Russell v. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the second state-court Xarelto bellwether trial in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. On May 21, 2018, Wilkinson Stekloff, led by Kosta Stojilkovic …
Benchmark Names Beth Wilkinson Trial Lawyer Of The Year
February 23, 2018
Wilkinson Stekloff’s Work On Georgia-Pacific Case Also Recognized By Benchmark WASHINGTON – Wilkinson Stekloff Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson has been named Trial Lawyer of the Year by Benchmark Litigation 2018. Benchmark Litigation also awarded Wilkinson Stekloff the National Impact Case Award for its role in winning summary judgment for Georgia-Pacific in a multi-billion dollar class action in Chicago federal court alleging Sherman Act violations by the largest manufacturers in the containerboard and corrugated products industries. The Trial Lawyer of the Year award is the latest in a series of accolades honoring Beth and Wilkinson Stekloff, which Benchmark named the 2017 “Boutique Firm of the Year.” Since founding Wilkinson Stekloff less than two years ago, Beth has notched a string of standout trial victories, been honored and recognized for her and Wilkinson Stekloff’s various successes, and built the firm into a boutique powerhouse while mentoring the next generation of trial lawyers. …
Benchmark Names Beth Wilkinson a Top 100 Trial Lawyer
November 7, 2017
WASHINGTON – Wilkinson Stekloff Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson has been named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America by Benchmark Litigation 2018. The award recognizes Beth’s expertise as an “elite trial strategist” and her stellar results, based on client and peer review. Since founding Wilkinson Stekloff less than two years ago, Beth has notched a string of standout trial victories; she has delivered other significant results for major clients; and she has built the firm into a boutique powerhouse while mentoring the next generation of trial lawyers. The Benchmark award is the latest in a series of accolades honoring Beth and Wilkinson Stekloff, which Benchmark named the 2017 “Boutique Firm of the Year.” View Benchmark’s Top 100 here. ###
Wilkinson Stekloff Adds More Firepower, Including Two Supreme Court Clerks, to Associate Ranks
August 21, 2017
WASHINGTON – Wilkinson Stekloff, the boutique trial litigation firm launched just eighteen months ago, announced Monday that it will add seven new attorneys to its current roster of highly skilled and accomplished associates. Two of the new hires recently finished coveted clerkships on the U.S. Supreme Court. The group will add even more firepower to the firm’s already-impressive team of diverse and talented young lawyers. No longer a start-up, the firm dubbed by Benchmark as “Boutique Law Firm of the Year,” has grown to 38 lawyers, with offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and New York. “We are thrilled to welcome these talented lawyers to the Wilkinson Stekloff team,” said Sean Eskovitz, a founding partner of the firm. “When we started Wilkinson Stekloff, we set out to build a firm that attracts top talent and helps young lawyers grow into superlative trial litigators. These seven are among the best and …