Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite
USA Guide 2024 : USA - Nationwide
Band 4
Contact number
(202) 847-4000About
Provided by Wilkinson Stekloff LLP
We are one of the leading firms in the country for products liability trials, with an unparalleled track record of success and a deep bench of lawyers with first- and second-chair trial experience. While our focus in all of these cases is on developing the themes and narrative that will win over juries, we have also played a critical role in other aspects of the litigation, from leading the briefing and legal strategy to taking and defending the key depositions that shine in the courtroom or helping deliver favorable settlements. Clients look to Wilkinson Stekloff to bring a winning strategy to bellwether cases that can be replicated in later stages of multi-district or mass tort litigation.
Our representative matters include Boudreaux v. Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Orr v. Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Wilkinson Stekloff, led by Beth Wilkinson, won the first two federal bellwether trials in New Orleans in a multi-district litigation involving the blood thinner Xarelto. The MDL was one of the largest in the United States, with over 18,000 cases pending. In both cases, the juries returned unanimous defense verdicts within two hours after closing arguments. Beth was named American Lawyer’s Litigator of the Week and a “Law360 Legal Lion” for her work leading the defense team in the first trial.
Chambers Review
Wilkinson Stekloff is a prominent firm with a top bench of trial lawyers. Best known for acting as trial counsel in bellwether pharmaceutical MDLs, in which the firm frequently acts for blue-chip clients. Further areas of expertise include toxic torts, tobacco litigation and concussion injury cases.
Work Highlights
- Wilkinson Stekloff represented 3M Corporation in multidistrict litigation alleging PFAS groundwater contamination from the use of aqueous film-forming foams.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The firm is a powerhouse that handles complex and sophisticated matters in a strategic manner. As a trial boutique, it has excellent depth in managing national strategy to advising clients on complex litigation. The firm is also extremely responsive and provides the highest quality of service."
"They are extremely strategic, extremely experienced and feared by the plaintiffs Bar. The team is very well regarded and has insights to help contextualize massive cases."
"Wilkinson Stekloff has a deep and talented bench of litigators and specializes in high-stakes trials. They are extremely well prepared and diligent, with lots of trial experience."
"The firm is a powerhouse that handles complex and sophisticated matters in a strategic manner. As a trial boutique, it has excellent depth in managing national strategy to advising clients on complex litigation. The firm is also extremely responsive and provides the highest quality of service."
"They are extremely strategic, extremely experienced and feared by the plaintiffs Bar. The team is very well regarded and has insights to help contextualize massive cases."
"Wilkinson Stekloff has a deep and talented bench of litigators and specializes in high-stakes trials. They are extremely well prepared and diligent, with lots of trial experience."
Notable Practitioners
Beth Wilkinson is a highly acclaimed trial lawyer with unparalleled expertise acting as lead trial counsel in bet-the-company pharmaceutical MDLs.
"Beth's skill set is beyond comprehension. She is just a brilliant trial lawyer and holds the jury in the palm of her hands. She is the best I have ever seen."
"She presents a very fresh perspective, she's highly strategic and knows how to get results."
"Beth is the best trial lawyer in the country, she is fantastic and practical."
Brian Stekloff has a significant reputation for acting as a trial lawyer across a number of mass torts, including on major pharmaceutical litigation.
"Brian is a tremendous trial lawyer and national counsel for various large mass tort litigations. Brian is very impressive, he's a great strategist and a really smart lawyer."
"Brian is valuable in terms of being a lead strategic coordinator. His ability to see litigation as a whole and guide the cases sets him apart. We look to him for his leadership, great creativity and exceptional skill."
"Brian has great judgment and is a very good strategist. He is also an excellent trial lawyer who knows how to talk to a jury and defend vigorously when appropriate."
Keri Arnold is an accomplished trial lawyer with a wealth of expertise in complex product liability claims. She has handled cases on behalf of major names in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors.
"She shines under adverse circumstances and handles adversity with grace, professionalism and really good trial skills."
"Keri is an excellent trial lawyer who does a lot of the overall pretrial strategy, figuring out what the theme should be. She is fantastic to work with."
Ranked Lawyers at
Wilkinson Stekloff LLP
USA - Nationwide