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United States • Dispute resolution
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Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco)

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Wilkinson Stekloff

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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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Wilkinson Stekloff is simply one of the best trial boutiques in the country. Top to bottom they are skilled litigators that also apply common sense to problems. Their insight and counsel is invaluable.'

  • 'Brian Stekloff – As highly rated as he is, Brian is one of the most underrated lawyers in America. While an outstanding trial lawyer, he is also a great strategic mind in approaching and resolving litigation. Kerri Arnold – A truly talented trial lawyer.'

  • 'Wilkinson Stekloff is one of the leading firms in the product liability/mass tort space. They have numerous lawyers with extensive experience serving as both overall strategic counsel and trial counsel in some of the largest litigation in this area. Their lawyers are all excellent, and have more trial experience than most peers.'

  • ‘Beth Wilkinson is one of the top trial lawyers in the country. Brian Stekloff is both an excellent trial lawyer and a great legal strategist. He serves as lead strategic counsel in numerous pharma mass torts, and has great judgment. Clients have deep respect for his judgment. Keri Arnold is a superb trial lawyer and strategist, and knows how to run a large litigation.’

  • 'Outstanding all-purpose lawyers.'

  • 'Brian Stekloff is a leader of the trial bar.'

Key clients

  • 3M
  • Bayer
  • Medtronic
  • Altria

Work highlights

The firm are representing 3M in the nationwide PFAS litigation.
The firm are representing Medtronic and its subsidiary, Covidien, in an evolving strategic challenge: federal- and state-coordinated proceedings bundling more than 7,500 products liability cases nationwide.

Practice head

Beth Wilkinson: Brian Stekloff

Other key lawyers

Kerri Arnold