In a recent article for Bloomberg Law, Wilkinson Stekloff Partner Tamarra Matthews Johnson joined fellow former clerks of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor in reflecting on the justice’s pragmatic view of the law, and her lessons on excellence, strength, and kindness. Making history as the first female justice, O’Connor was appointed to the court by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and served until 2006. “O’Connor gave me and my co-clerks the opportunity to serve the court and our country for the October 2000 term. She taught and tested us with her sharp intellect, incisive questions, sheer speed, and dedication to the court’s work,” Tamarra told Bloomberg Law. “Yet she still found time to make us lunch on Saturdays, to take us to see the azaleas bloom at the National Arboretum and the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin, and yes, to enjoy weekly aerobics sessions.” An …
Tamarra Matthews Johnson Rejoins Wilkinson Stekloff as Partner
March 13, 2023
Wilkinson Stekloff is pleased to welcome back Tamarra Matthews Johnson as partner following her nearly two years serving as Counselor to United States Attorney General Merrick Garland. A renowned litigator who has served as lead and co-lead trial counsel in dozens of criminal and civil cases, including multiple cases for Bayer Corporation, Tamarra now brings unparalleled Department of Justice experience to her work. “It was an honor and a privilege to serve as Counselor to Attorney General Merrick Garland, and now I am pleased to rejoin the amazing team of attorneys and professionals at Wilkinson Stekloff,” Tamarra said. “I look forward to working with my talented colleagues to offer exceptional service to clients across an array of industries.” An accomplished first-chair trial lawyer who has succeeded in challenging jurisdictions, Tamarra will resume her litigation and strategic counseling practice at the firm. In her most recent role, Tamarra served as the Attorney …
Wilkinson Stekloff Lawyers Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America List
January 28, 2021
Washington, D.C. – For the third consecutive year, Wilkinson Stekloff partners have been named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America list. This year Lawdragon recognized Beth Wilkinson, Brian Stekloff, Kosta Stojilkovic, and Tamarra Matthews Johnson. All four partners have received accolades for their industry-leading accomplishments. Beth has repeatedly been named a Chambers Star Trial Lawyer and Brian was selected as one of Chambers’ “up and coming” trial lawyers. Kosta was named a Law360 Rising Star for Trials and to Benchmark Litigation’s 40 and Under Hot List. And Tamarra was recently selected as a Benchmark Future Star Litigator. “We are thrilled to again have four partners named to the Lawdragon 500 leading lawyers in America list,” said Rakesh Kilaru. “We pride ourselves on handling our clients’ most challenging cases from inception through verdict and beyond. We could not do that work without our bench of dynamic trial lawyers and …
Wilkinson Stekloff’s Pro Bono Program Highly Commended at the Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards
October 13, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chambers and Partners selected Wilkinson Stekloff as Highly Commended in the Pro Bono Program of the Year Category at its annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards: North America 2020. This is the second year in a row that Chambers and Partners has recognized Wilkinson Stekloff’s acclaimed pro bono program. In July 2020, Chambers shortlisted Wilkinson Stekloff as an outstanding firm for diversity and inclusion and as one of its private practice pro bono programs of the year. Chambers then specifically recognized Wilkinson Stekloff as operating one of the two best pro bono programs out of all law firms in the entire country, large and small. “Since the beginning, we have been committed to pro bono and to ensuring that everyone has an opportunity at achieving fair and equal justice,” said Partner Tamarra Matthews Johnson. “We are honored to be recognized by Chambers and Partners for our outstanding pro …
Missouri Department of Corrections Required to Provide Lifesaving Hepatitis C Treatment to Thousands Behind Bars
August 21, 2020
Wilkinson Stekloff, ACLU of Missouri, and Macarthur Justice Center reach landmark settlement requiring Hepatitis C treatment and education Washington, D.C. – Today, Wilkinson Stekloff LLP announced a landmark settlement, ensuring that people incarcerated in Missouri’s prisons will receive life-saving Hepatitis C treatment and education. Wilkinson Stekloff brought its trial expertise to the case after class certification was affirmed by the Eighth Circuit, joining the ACLU of Missouri and the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center to litigate the case in district court for the plaintiffs and achieve a successful resolution. In June 2019, Wilkinson Stekloff and its co-counsel filed a motion for preliminary injunction, seeking to require the Missouri Department of Corrections and its private medical services contractor, Corizon LLC, to begin treating class members immediately. The Wilkinson Stekloff team recruited a roster of credentialed experts from around the country to offer evidence in support of Plaintiffs’ motion. At a …
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 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 …
Wilkinson Stekloff Secures Another Trial Victory for Bayer in Xarelto Trial
August 30, 2018
Alexandra Walsh, co-founding partner of Wilkinson, Walsh + Eskovitz, Tamarra Matthews Johnson, and Rakesh Kilaru led the defense team to another victory. WASHINGTON – The Wilkinson Stekloff trial team, led by Founding Partner Alexandra Walsh and partners Tamarra Matthews Johnson and Rakesh Kilaru, won the third state-court bellwether trial over the blood- thinner Xarelto in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. This is the third win for Bayer in state court, and the sixth win overall, in the Xarelto litigation. The Plaintiff, Kevin Cooney, alleged that Bayer and Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals were liable for claims that the Xarelto label did not adequately warn or instruct doctors on the risks of bleeding associated with the anticoagulant medicine Xarelto. Walsh and Johnson served as lead trial counsel for Bayer, and Kilaru helped direct the legal strategy. A 12-member jury in Philadelphia returned a defense verdict after less than three …
Wilkinson Stekloff Adds Tamarra Matthews Johnson as Partner
September 26, 2017
Matthews Johnson is latest high-profile addition to top boutique trial firm WASHINGTON – Wilkinson Stekloff today announced the addition of Tamarra Matthews Johnson as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office. In just 18 months, Wilkinson Stekloff has grown to nearly 40 lawyers, and quickly established itself as the leading boutique trial firm in the country. Matthews Johnson, an experienced litigator at both the appellate and trial level, joins the firm as partner. Throughout her career, she has tried complex civil and criminal cases, and clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Tamarra is the firm’s tenth partner, and seventh former Supreme Court clerk. “I could not be more excited to re-enter private practice as a partner of Wilkinson Stekloff,” said Ms. Matthews Johnson. “I’m thrilled to be able to call such an impressive group of trial lawyers my colleagues—and the firm’s innovative approach to trying cases is a …