Beth Wilkinson and Rakesh Kilaru Named Winning Litigators at 2024 National Law Journal Legal Awards

In recognition of Wilkinson Stekloff’s remarkable run of wins in some of the past year’s most consequential trials and matters, Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson and Partner Rakesh Kilaru were named joint Winning Litigators at the 2024 National Law Journal Legal Awards. This prestigious annual series highlights the top litigation work of law firms and attorneys from the previous year. Selected from a competitive field of 20 accomplished finalists, Beth and Rakesh secured the Winning Litigators recognition for their work taking on some of the largest and most complex antitrust litigation in the country. They led the team that won the second largest merger trial in American history and the biggest involving a technology company, defeating the FTC’s motion for a preliminary injunction to block Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. They continue to represent Microsoft in the FTC’s appeal in the Ninth Circuit and the FTC’s challenge to the merger through an …

National Law Journal Legal Awards 2024 Honors Wilkinson Stekloff Attorneys for the Third Year in a Row

In recognition of Wilkinson Stekloff’s remarkable run of wins in some of the past year’s most consequential trials and matters, the National Law Journal selected three of the firm’s attorneys for honors in its 2024 Legal Awards. Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson and Partner Rakesh Kilaru were named joint finalists in the Winning Litigators category, and Counsel Sarah Neuman was named a Rising Star. The NLJ Legal Awards is a prestigious annual series that highlights the top litigation work of law firms and attorneys from the previous year. Beth and Rakesh secured the Winning Litigators recognition for their work taking on some of the largest and most complex antitrust litigation in the country. They led the team that won the second largest merger trial in American history and the biggest involving a technology company, defeating the FTC’s motion for a preliminary injunction to block Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision …

National Law Journal Recognizes Beth Wilkinson as a 2023 General Litigation Trailblazer

Wilkson Stekloff Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson was recognized among the National Law Journal’s 2023 Trailblazers for General Litigation. This prestigious award spotlights individuals who have moved the needle in the legal industry. Beth has served as lead counsel in over 50 jury trials, including numerous bet-the-company, multibillion-dollar cases, earning an unrivaled record of victories in federal and state courts throughout the country. The National Law Journal’s award recognizes Beth’s fresh and pragmatic approach to complex antitrust litigation. “Often, and especially in antitrust matters, parties believe that the economist with the most complicated model will win. We have taken a different approach,” Beth told the National Law Journal. “Rather than get bogged down in technical minutiae or economic jargon, we have worked to explain market realities in an accessible, commonsense manner that resonates with the factfinder and reinforces our core themes.” Beth was lead trial counsel for Microsoft in the FTC’s challenge to …

NLJ Legal Awards Once Again Recognize Wilkinson Stekloff for Litigation Prowess

In recognition of Wilkinson Stekloff’s work on some of the most consequential products liability trials across the country, the National Law Journal selected the firm among its finalists for the 2023 Legal Awards Litigation Department of the Year: Products Liability. In addition, Founding Partner Brian Stekloff was named a finalist in the Winning Litigators category for the second year in a row, and Counsel Anastasia Pastan was named a Rising Star. The National Law Journal’s Legal Awards is a prestigious annual series that highlights the top litigation and appellate work of law firms and attorneys from the previous year. Wilkinson Stekloff is the leading trial litigation boutique in the country, demonstrating a depth of talent and dexterity of skill unmatched by firms of any size. Since the firm’s 2016 founding, it has served as lead trial counsel in seven major bellwether products liability trials and continues to lead teams that …

Wilkinson Stekloff Partners Alex Walsh And James Rosenthal Named National Law Journal Winning Litigators

WASHINGTON –Wilkinson Stekloff Partners Alex Walsh and James Rosenthal were named 2020 National Law Journal Winning Litigators. The attorneys named to this year’s list are described by the National Law Journal as “conquerors of the courtroom” who have tackled “some of the most widely watched cases of the year.” Alex and James were recognized for their roles in obtaining a complete defense verdict for Bayer in a class action alleging misrepresentations related to One-A-Day multivitamins. James led the legal strategy and Alex led the trial team.   The National Law Journal also reported Alex and James’ trial tips, found here and below. Tell us about your biggest win from January 2019 through June 2020 and how you achieved the result for your client. Alex Walsh and James Rosenthal won a complete defense victory in a certified consumer class action alleging Bayer misrepresented the benefits of One-A-Day multivitamins. Rosenthal led a …

Wilkinson Stekloff Partner Kieran Gostin Named National Law Journal D.C. Rising Star

WASHINGTON – Wilkinson Stekloff Partner Kieran Gostin was named a 2020 National Law Journal D.C. Rising Star. One of 40 honorees, Kieran was recognized for his role on a trial team that won a defense victory for Bayer in a $600 million certified consumer class action lawsuit and his role in the Farar case, where he successfully cross-examined Plaintiffs’ Florida class representative, one of the four witnesses that testified at trial. The award honors attorneys ranging from a variety of practice areas—from appellate to First Amendment to international trade—representing high-profile clients and securing victories. In a Q&A with the National Law Journal, Kieran outlined his biggest accomplishments, most valuable lesson learned, mentorship, and the key to his success. His responses can be found here and below. Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice. A defense verdict in a consumer class action about multivitamin advertising. Our client knew it was …

National Law Journal Recognizes Wilkinson Stekloff’s Industry-Leading Products Liability/Mass Tort Trial Practice

WASHINGTON – The National Law Journal selected Wilkinson Stekloff as one of its Washington D.C. Litigation Departments of the Year in Products Liability/Mass Torts. NLJ’s selection was based on Wilkinson Stekloff’s string of trial victories in high-profile products liability cases.  Most recently, the firm, led by Alex Walsh, Kieran Gostin, and James Rosenthal, won a decisive victory in Bayer v. Farar, a certified consumer class action trial involving $600 million in claimed damages. Previously, the firm reeled off five straight victories in the Xarelto products liability litigation, with Beth Wilkinson, Alex Walsh, Brian Stekloff, Jeremy Barber, Tamarra Matthews Johnson, and Rakesh Kilaru serving in lead roles. NLJ’s profile on the firm highlights commentary from Beth, Alex, and Brian on their strategy and approach to litigation. “We believe that at the heart of every case is a simple compelling narrative, a narrative that shows the jury why our side should prevail,” …

Wilkinson Stekloff Partner Kosta Stojilkovic Named One of DC’s Rising Stars

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Law Journal announced the selection of Wilkinson Stekloff partner Kosta Stojilkovic to its annual list of D.C. Rising Stars.  Kosta joined the firm in August 2016. Since then, he has served as trial counsel for Facebook in its largest jury trial to date—a $6 billion trade secrets dispute—and has represented the NCAA and the NFL in other high-profile matters. Prior to joining Wilkinson Stekloff, Kosta was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, and clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts. “Kosta is a skilled litigator and an invaluable member of our team here at Wilkinson Stekloff, so it’s no surprise that he has been named one of D.C.’s Rising Stars,” said Sean Eskovitz, a founding partner of the firm. “We’re thrilled to see one of our lawyers recognized for his hard work, tenacity, and exceptional litigation skills.” In compiling its list, the …