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Stephen Petkis

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5801

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Steve Petkis is a partner in the firm's Washington, DC office, where he represents a variety of clients in their most sensitive, complex, and high-stakes litigation matters in both state and federal court. He regularly defends life sciences clients and other regulated entities against class action and mass tort claims that span jurisdictions.

    Steve handles cases from pre-litigation planning through appeal, with a proven record of delivering victories at all stages. He was a member of the trial team that secured a complete defense win for McKesson in a landmark public nuisance case involving prescription opioid medications. In addition, his briefing strategies, fact and expert depositions, and courtroom stand-up have helped steer a number of other clients to highly-favorable resolutions that eliminate billions of dollars in potential exposure.

    Steve previously served as a law clerk to Judge Katherine B. Forrest on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He maintains an active pro bono practice focused on civil rights and criminal justice issues.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Representing McKesson Corporation in nationwide prescription opioid litigation, including in cases brought by State AGs, municipalities, and private entities such as hospitals and third-party payors. Member of trial team for three-month bench trial in West Virginia and six-month bench trial in Seattle, Washington. Secured a complete defense verdict in the former and a favorable resolution for less than one percent of the money initially sought in the latter.
    • Representing one of the nation’s largest commercial truck manufacturers in class-action litigation accusing the company of falsifying emissions and fuel economy certifications.
    • Representing leading biotechnology company in multi-district class-action litigation involving allegations of fraud and consumer protection violations.
    • Representing leading biopharmaceutical company in appeal of class certification order in major prescription medication case.
    • Representing one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies in multiple class-action cases involving allegations of false advertising for over-the-counter medications.
    • Representing major medical technology company in class-action litigation involving claims of environmental contamination.
    • Represented one of the nation's largest financial services companies in complex state court action alleging fraud and breach of contract, resulting in favorable resolution during trial.
    • Represented one of the nation’s largest banks in class-action litigation accusing the bank of failing to provide sufficient information regarding credit card denials, resulting in favorable resolution.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2016
        • magna cum laude
        • Order of the Coif
        • Georgetown Law Journal, Executive Articles Editor
        • Appellate Litigation Clinic
    • University of Connecticut, B.A., 2013
        • summa cum laude
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. Katherine B. Forrest, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2017 - 2018
    Pro Bono
    • Represented federal inmate in complex appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in United States v. Bolden, 850 F. App’x 734 (11th Cir. 2021), resulting in reversal of district court decision and subsequent early release.
    • Represented local community organization and certified class of individuals in federal housing discrimination lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
    • Represented group of taxpayers seeking to compel city animal shelter to follow laws concerning the humane treatment of animals, resulting in successful appeal to the Maryland Court of Appeals in George v. Baltimore Cty., 463 Md. 263 (2019).
    • Represented criminal defendant through felony jury trial in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland.
    Previous Experience
    • U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Law Clerk (2014)
    • The White House, Office of the Chief of Staff, Intern (2013)

    Areas of Expertise

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