As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we remember our beloved colleagues and friends Elizabeth Keys and Sarah Lee Best, whose lives were among those tragically lost in the airplane crash above Reagan National Airport a year ago. Liz and Sarah left an enduring mark on our firm and on all of us as individuals. We have kept them in our hearts and minds and always will. To honor their memories, we endowed scholarships in their names at their law school alma maters, Georgetown and Pennsylvania. With the support of our clients and colleagues, those scholarships have been fully funded and will aid new generations of lawyers in carrying on Liz’s and Sarah’s legacies.
Continuing our tradition of excellence, in 2025 Wilkinson Stekloff again achieved landmark results spanning a variety of high-stakes matters, further entrenching the firm as the premier trial litigation boutique in the nation. Our recent successes include:
- NCAA NIL Settlement: The firm secured final approval of a $2.8 billion settlement in the NCAA’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) litigation, which has changed the landscape of collegiate athletics. The settlement resolved antitrust claims against the NCAA and major athletic conferences brought by multiple broad plaintiff classes, including current and former student‑athletes.
The firm also obtained the dismissal of multiple lawsuits brought by high-profile former student‑athletes, who fell outside of the NIL settlement class and chose to challenge the NCAA’s compensation rules in effect when they competed. Mario Chalmers, et al. v. NCAA, et al. was dismissed with prejudice in April—receiving recognition from Law360 and The American Lawyer—and affirmed by the Second Circuit in December, setting important precedent for the subsequent dismissal of complaints by the 1972 N.C. State men’s basketball team, Terrelle Pryor, Denard Robinson, and Reggie Bush. And we continue to defend the NCAA against a wave of lawsuits challenging key eligibility bylaws, having already secured appellate wins in Fourqurean v. NCAA (7th Cir.) and Elad v. NCAA (3d Cir.). - Hewlett Packard Enterprise: Wilkinson Stekloff positioned Hewlett Packard Enterprise to close its $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks when, on the eve of trial and just days after the submission of pre‑trial briefs, the DOJ dropped its challenge and agreed to a resolution that allowed the deal to close. The result was the culmination of a sprint that saw all fact and expert discovery completed in less than six months, creating a record fundamentally at odds with the government’s claims and theory of the case.
- Microsoft: Wilkinson Stekloff obtained an appellate ruling upholding the firm’s trial victory for Microsoft in the FTC’s failed attempt to enjoin its $69 billion acquisition of video game maker Activision Blizzard. In May 2025, the Ninth Circuit unanimously affirmed the District Court’s decision denying the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction to block the deal. Just weeks later, the FTC dismissed its case entirely. This win was also recognized by Law360’s Legal Lions and given a “Shout Out” by the American Lawyer.
As in prior years, Wilkinson Stekloff attorneys also obtained significant results in many pro bono matters, placing 16 attorneys on the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll with six Associates receiving “High Honors.” To begin the year, the firm resolved one of its longest-running pro bono matters by securing a favorable settlement for an individual whose firearm registration and concealed carry license were unconstitutionally revoked by the D.C.M.P.D. Counsel Jenna Swarbrick and Matthew Skanchy and Associates Owen Gallogly, Quinton Weinstein, and Tania Martinez, along with assistance from Partner Kieran Gostin, obtained relief that fully restored our client’s Second Amendment rights.
Associate Dhruti Patel led a case against the New York City Department of Education for denying appropriate educational accommodations to a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Specific Learning Disabilities, securing all requested relief, including individualized educational support and significant financial assistance. Associates Quinton Weinstein and Owen Gallogly secured an appellate win in the Ninth Circuit in a case asserting due process violations by Nevada Department of Corrections officials. Quinton’s oral argument persuaded the court that defendants could not avoid the lawsuit under the qualified immunity doctrine.
Associate Logan Page continued building the firm’s innovative appellate practice challenging misapplications of the PLRA’s “three‑strikes” rule. Logan and fellow Associate Daniel Cook won an Eleventh Circuit reversal of a dismissal that had barred an incarcerated client from proceeding in forma pauperis. This victory followed Logan’s Sixth Circuit victory last year—a unanimous opinion authored by the Chief Circuit Judge, establishing binding precedent on how PLRA strikes are assessed. The American Lawyer’s Litigation Daily profiled Logan and Pro Bono Chair Jeremy Barber, who highlighted the firm’s “entrepreneurial” approach that supports associates’ interests and passions.
Our attorneys also shared their insights throughout the year at leading conferences and on widely followed podcasts, cementing our position as respected industry thought leaders. Rakesh Kilaru spoke at the Tulane University Entertainment and Sports Law Conference about developments in NIL and eligibility, drawing on his role negotiating the NCAA’s settlement and related litigation. He also appeared on Khurram’s Quorum to discuss decision-making, leadership, and first‑chair trial practice at an elite trial boutique. Kieran Gostin spoke on the Merger Trials: Winning Strategies panel at the ABA Antitrust Law Spring Meeting and joined the ABA’s Our Curious Amalgam podcast to discuss how to successfully litigate a merger trial.
Moira Penza continued serving as a trusted source for commentary on high-profile criminal prosecutions. She appeared as a guest on 20/20 and ABC Audio’s True Crime weekly series podcast “Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy,” hosted by Brian Buckmire. Moira was also quoted in coverage of the Sean Combs trial and the prosecution of purported sexual wellness group OneTaste by the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Law360.
Beth Wilkinson discussed her approach to generating business and retaining clients at a Bloomberg Law event titled “Inside the Minds of Great Rainmakers,” which was moderated by David Lat. She also spoke alongside colleague Heidi Hubbard of Williams & Connolly at the Product Liability Advisory Council on a panel on “Trying High-Risk Litigation,” moderated by firm client Larissa Eustice of Bayer.
The firm was also honored to host a rare live taping of Divided Argument, the widely followed Supreme Court podcast by Professors Daniel Epps and William Baude, at its annual attorney retreat.
In recognition of the results we secured for our clients and our position at the forefront of the industry, the firm and its attorneys received myriad accolades this past year, including:
- Benchmark Litigation honored Wilkinson Stekloff as the Trial Firm of the Year for the second consecutive year, while naming Beth Wilkinson a finalist for Trial Lawyer of the Year and Brian Stekloff a finalist for Product Liability Litigator of the Year.
- Law360 awarded the firm Practice Group of the Year for both Competition/Antitrust and Sports & Betting. The firm had previously been honored in each category, in 2023 and 2020, respectively.
- Benchmark’s 2026 guide again named the firm a Top 20 Trial Law Firm, Top Boutique Firm, and Highly Recommended for Dispute Resolution in Washington, D.C. In addition to repeating as Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation, the firm received recognition for the first time in Tier 1 for Competition/Antitrust as well.
- Benchmark also included Beth Wilkinson, Brian Stekloff, and first‑time honoree Rakesh Kilaru among its Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and recognized Beth among the Top 10 Women in Litigation; Keri Arnold, Moira Penza, and Cali Arat among the Top 250 Women in Litigation; and Cali and Sarah Neuman on the 40 & Under Hot List. Beth, Brian, Cali, Keri, Rakesh, Moira, and Kosta Stojilkovic were all named Litigation Stars, with Kieran Gostin named a Future Star.
- Chambers USA recognized the firm in Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite, Nationwide Sports Law, Nationwide Antitrust, D.C. General Commercial Litigation: The Elite, and D.C. Antitrust, and honored seven partners with individual rankings: Beth Wilkinson (Star Individual in Nationwide Trial Lawyers, Product Liability & Mass Torts, and D.C. General Commercial Litigation; Band 2 in Nationwide Sports Law; Band 1 among D.C. Antitrust Litigation Specialists), Brian Stekloff (Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts, Band 3), Rakesh Kilaru (Nationwide Sports Law, Band 4; D.C. Antitrust Litigation Specialists, Band 4), Keri Arnold (Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts, Band 5), Kieran Gostin (D.C. Antitrust Litigation Specialists, Up and Coming), Cali Arat (Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts, Up and Coming), and Sarah Neuman (D.C. Antitrust Litigation Specialists, Up and Coming).
- Legal 500 recognized Wilkinson Stekloff as a Top Tier Trial Firm and a Leading Firm in Toxic Torts, Consumer Products, Sports, and Antitrust, also naming Beth a Leading Trial Lawyer and Brian a Leading Partner in Product Liability: Toxic Torts. Rakesh (Sports & Antitrust), Keri (Toxic Torts & Consumer Products), Kosta (Antitrust), Cali (Sports), and Sarah (Antitrust) were Recommended by Legal 500 as well.
- The National Law Journal named Max Warren as a D.C. Rising Star, and shortlisted Beth and Brian for Winning Litigators.
- The American Lawyer named Roxana Guidero a finalist for Young Lawyer of the Year (Litigation) and shortlisted the firm for National Boutique/Specialty Litigation Department of the Year.
- Beth received widespread recognition, selected to Bloomberg Law’s inaugural “Unrivaled” litigators, celebrating the most impactful high-stakes trial lawyers in the nation; appearing among Global Competition Review’s elite group of “Women in Antitrust”, and being named to Forbes’ America’s Top Lawyers.
- Additional individual accolades included Sarah Neuman’s selection to Bloomberg Law’s The 40 Under 40, Cali Arat’s recognition as a Law360 Rising Star for Product Liability and the Daily Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, and Keri Arnold’s selection to Crain’s New York Business Notable Litigators & Trial Lawyers.
- Lawdragon honored the firm and its lawyers across multiple guides, including the 500 Leading Litigators in America (Beth Wilkinson, Brian Stekloff, Keri Arnold, Jeremy Barber, Kieran Gostin, Rakesh Kilaru, Moira Penza, Ralia Polechronis, Jolee Porter, James Rosenthal, and Kosta Stojilkovic), 500 Leading Lawyers in America (Brian, Keri, Jeremy, Kieran, Rakesh, Moira, Ralia, James, and Kosta), 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers (Kosta and Moira), 500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers (Beth, Rakesh), and 500 X – The Next Generation (Cali, Sarah, and Roxy).
- The firm earned diversity and workplace recognition, including honors in Law360 Pulse’s Diversity Snapshot and Women in Law Report, as well as acknowledgments from Vault among the Best Litigation Specialty Law Firms, Top 150 Under 150, Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For, and New York Regional Rankings.
Wilkinson Stekloff’s 2025 achievements continue its remarkable record of success in complex, high-visibility matters, pairing decisive courtroom results with thoughtful strategy. The firm is poised to continue this momentum in 2026, with four trials currently scheduled for the first half of the year and a significant slate of other “bet-the-company” litigations in active development.