John Stokes

John represents plaintiffs and defendants in courts across the country at all stages of litigation—from pre-litigation strategy to the U.S. Supreme Court. He has argued appeals in multiple federal circuits, given closing argument in a federal trial covered by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and argued numerous motions in federal and state trial courts. His wide-ranging practice encompasses many areas of law, including copyright, trade secret, Lanham Act, contract, the Federal Arbitration Act, class actions, and many others. John has developed particular expertise in the law of ERISA and in cases involving complex procedural issues, especially questions of jurisdiction and standing.

On the plaintiff’s side, John has helped clients resuscitate cases with 9-figure damages. He has also successfully overturned defense judgments on appeal, and then personally litigated the case to a favorable resolution on remand. And he has crafted legal strategy that has led to successful nationwide litigation campaigns.

On the defense side, John has helped clients avoid 9-figure liability at trial and then defended that result on appeal. He has also won complete pleading stage dismissal for his clients in multiple cases, including a defamation case where the remaining defendant was hit with an eight-figure verdict at trial.

John’s work has helped the firm earn a place on the National Law Journal’s Appellate Hot List in four of the last six years. It has also helped the firm become a finalist for the American Lawyer’s Boutique Firm of the Year and earn a Band 1 nationwide ranking from Chambers for plaintiff’s-side ERISA litigation.

John graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College, attended Yale Law School, and then served as a law clerk to the Honorable Paul G. Gardephe (Southern District of New York) and the Honorable Raymond C. Fisher (Ninth Circuit).