About

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

Provided by Chambers

Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite - USA - Nationwide

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Wilkinson Stekloff is a prominent firm with a top bench of trial lawyers. The firm is best known for acting as trial counsel in bellwether pharmaceutical MDLs, in which the firm frequently acts for blue-chip clients. Its further areas of expertise include toxic torts, tobacco litigation and concussion injury cases.

Work Highlights

  • Wilkinson Stekloff continues to represent Medtronic and its subsidiary, Covidien, in federal and state-coordinated proceedings bundling more than 8,000 products liability cases nationwide.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Beth A Wilkinson
Beth A Wilkinson
Star Individuals
Beth Wilkinson is a highly acclaimed trial lawyer with unparalleled expertise acting as lead trial counsel in bet-the-company pharmaceutical MDLs.

Beth is the smartest lawyer in the country bar none.

Beth is widely regarded as a superstar.

Beth is one of the leading lawyers in the country.

Beth is top of the field.

Beth is outstanding.

William P Geraghty
1
William P Geraghty
1
Band 1

William Geraghty is highly regarded for his strength in defending mass torts in the medical device and tobacco sectors. He co-chairs the firm's product liability practice.

William Geraghty is a fantastic lawyer and someone that a jury trusts and likes.

Brian L. Stekloff
2
Brian L. Stekloff
2
Band 2
Brian Stekloff has a significant reputation for acting as a trial lawyer across a number of mass torts, including on major pharmaceutical litigation.

Brian cuts to the heart of every issue and is very practical.

Brian Stekloff is a premier trial lawyer.

Brian is a fantastic trial attorney and leader. He brings years of trial experience and strategic insight.

Brian has incredible judgment and knows how to steer litigation.

Brian is strategic and tries the most difficult cases in the country.

Keri Arnold
4
Keri Arnold
4
Band 4
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.

Keri Arnold is down to earth, excellent on strategy and very collaborative.

Keri is strategic in approaching trials and she wins where no one else could.

Keri is fantastic in the product liability space.

Keri Arnold has a really great way with juries. She is very credible on her feet.

Keri Arnold is an excellent trial lawyer.

Cali Arat
U
Cali Arat
U
Up and Coming

Cali Arat has growing experience as trial counsel in high-stakes product liability matters. She has noteworthy expertise defending clients in sophisticated toxic tort and pharmaceuticals cases.

Cali is an extraordinary advocate, and one of my favorite people. It's rare to come across someone who shines like she does in a courtroom and also makes every person in any room feel seen. She does it every time.

Cali is the finest young lawyer I know in the country. She gives her all. She is considered intelligent and has a high level of integrity and industry. She will be in the top tier of all trial attorneys in the United States.

Cali is brilliant and one of the most inclusive trial attorneys I have ever had the pleasure to work with. She cares deeply about winning for clients and also creating a positive, collaborative trial team environment.

Cali is a really impressive lawyer who has tried some important cases.

Ranked Lawyers at
Wilkinson Stekloff LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

USA - Nationwide

Product Liability & Mass Torts

Beth A Wilkinson
Beth A Wilkinson
Star Individuals
Brian L. Stekloff
2
Brian L. Stekloff
2
Band 2
William P Geraghty
3
William P Geraghty
3
Band 3
Keri Arnold
4
Keri Arnold
4
Band 4
Cali Arat
U
Cali Arat
U
Up and Coming
Product Liability: Tobacco

William P Geraghty
1
William P Geraghty
1
Band 1