Brian Stekloff > Wilkinson Stekloff > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile
Wilkinson Stekloff Offices
2001 M Street
NW 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
20036
United States
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Brian Stekloff

Career
Brian is a go-to first-chair trial lawyer who has tried over 30 cases to verdict before juries across the country, achieving numerous full defense verdicts on behalf of his many clients in some of the most challenging jurisdictions in the country.
In recognition of his success, Brian is nationally ranked by Chambers in “Products Liability and Mass Torts.” Chambers describes Brian as “a tremendous lawyer” who is “instrumental in getting favorable results.” Brian is also ranked by Legal 500 for “Toxic Torts,” “Consumer Products,” “Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices,” and “Sports.” In 2023, he was named “Trial Lawyer of the Year” and “Top Product Liability Litigator” by Benchmark Litigation, and led the trial team that received Benchmark’s “National Impact Case Award” for the defense verdict secured in Clark v. Monsanto. Brian is also a Benchmark “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and “Litigation Star,” one of Lawdragon’s 500 “Leading Lawyers” and “Leading Litigators” in America, and a two-time National Law Journal “Winning Litigator” finalist.
Most recently, Brian co-led the trial team that secured judgment as a matter of law for the NFL and its 32 member teams in a class action lawsuit challenging the distribution of the Sunday Ticket subscription package and the NFL’s media agreements more generally. Brian handled examinations of several key witnesses, including the cross-examination of the plaintiffs’ primary expert, a sports economist, laying the groundwork for the post-trial Daubert ruling excluding the testimony as unreliable. Brian subsequently delivered the oral argument at the hearing regarding the NFL’s post-trial motions, resulting in a complete victory for the NFL.
Brian serves as national trial counsel for several clients in multi-district litigations and other consolidated litigations around the country, including Monsanto in its Roundup litigation. In that litigation, he delivered the first full defense verdict for Monsanto in a Los Angeles Superior Court case involving a boy diagnosed with cancer at age five. Brian has also obtained complete defense verdicts on behalf of Bayer, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer in products liability bellwether trials, including the first state court jury verdict for Bayer in the Xarelto litigation.
Brian has also played a critical role in winning cases before trial, including a Daubert and summary judgment victory for Medtronic in hernia mesh litigation in the Central District of California. The Court excluded Plaintiffs’ specific causation expert based on Brian’s argument and deposition, resulting in summary judgment in favor of Medtronic. Brian continues to represent Medtronic in national products liability litigation concerning its hernia mesh.
Before founding Wilkinson Stekloff, Brian previously practiced at Covington and Burling and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, where he tried multiple cases to verdict. Brian also spent four years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida, where he obtained full acquittals in nearly one-third of his jury trials at a rate of more than double the national average.
Lawyer Rankings
United States > Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort
(Leading partners)Active in high stakes multi-district litigation in products liability, Washington DC-based boutique firm Wilkinson Stekloff has been active in a broad range of litigation, from bellwether trials to high profile toxic tort cases including those involving PFAS. Led by both Beth Wilkinson and Brian Stekloff, Wilkinson is well regarded for her service acting as lead counsel in numerous bet the company matters, having been involved in numerous victories in both the federal and state courts, while Stekloff is experienced as a trial lawyer, having served as national counsel for several clients in multi-district litigation and other consolidated litigations including Monsanto in its roundup litigation. Situated in New York, Keri Arnold is noted for her expertise in defending companies in product liability and environmental matters.
United States > Industry focus > Sport
Wilkinson Stekloff, a practice which is described as ‘trial-ready’ by one client, notably acts for the NFL and its teams in high stakes and high value litigation, adding to its strong track record in antitrust class-action lawsuits and defamation cases. Also notable is the group’s representation of the NCAA in long-running antitrust class-action litigation, led by Cali Arat and Rakesh Kilaru. Experienced litigator Beth Wilkinson. who has previously represented the NFL in concussion-related litigation and Brian Stekloff head up the team. All lawyers mentioned are based in in Washington DC.
United States > Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes
(Firms to watch)Wilkinson Stekloff is a go-to trial litigation boutique for antitrust litigation and disputes in the sports sector. Beth Wilkinson and Brian Stekloff jointly lead the team from Washington DC.
United States > Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense
Wilkinson Stekloff has earned widespread acclaim for its role in Microsoft’s high-profile acquisition, contributing to a landmark trial victory against the FTC. The team has also been actively involved in litigation and investigative hearings related to prominent pharmaceutical deals. Co-founders Beth Wilkinson and Brian Stekloff lead the practice, with Wilkinson having spearheaded numerous jury trials and bet-the-company cases. Rakesh Kilaru brings extensive experience with appellate courts nationwide. Kosta Stoljikovic is central to the firm’s ongoing investigations conducted by federal antitrust regulators. All attorneys are based in the firm’s Washington DC, office.
United States > Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco)
Praised by clients as being ‘simply one of the best trial boutiques in the country’, Wilkinson Stekloff is a powerhouse in high-stakes product liability and multidistrict litigation, delivering trial wins and strategic counsel for clients facing complex, high-profile disputes. The practice has in-depth expertise in bellwether trials, pretrial victories, and crafting trial narratives aimed at minimizing financial and reputational risks for clients. Notable clients include 3M, whom the firm is defending on a nationally significant PFAS litigation, involving allegations of groundwater contamination brought by states, municipalities, and individuals claiming personal and property damage. Co-founder of the firm Beth Wilkinson has led a wide range of jury trials, securing landmark victories for the NFL, Microsoft, Bayer, and more. Brian Stekloff, also co-founder, is a first-chair trial lawyer with a multitude of verdicts, known for defense wins in challenging jurisdictions, including victories for Monsanto, Bayer, and Medtronic. Both Stekloff and Wilkinson are based in New York.
Lawyer Rankings
- Leading partners United States > Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort
- Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) United States > Dispute resolution
- Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort United States > Dispute resolution
- Sport United States > Industry focus
- Civil litigation/class actions: defense United States > Antitrust
- Firms to watch United States > Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes
Top Tier Firm Rankings
Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco)
- Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort
- Industry focus > Sport
- Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense
- Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes