Stris & Maher announces promotion of John Stokes to partner

Stris & Maher LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of John Stokes to the firm’s partnership, effective January 1, 2023.

“It’s an honor to welcome John Stokes as a partner,” said Managing Partner Elizabeth Brannen. “His exceptional talent, commitment to excellence, and team spirit are vital assets to our firm and our clients.”

John joined Stris & Maher in 2017 after completing back-to-back federal clerkships. A versatile litigator, he represents clients in the firm’s highest-profile trial and appellate matters.

Appellate Practice. Named an appellate Associate to Watch by Chambers USA in 2021 and 2022, John regularly serves as a lead brief writer and appellate strategist on landmark firm appeals. He has successfully argued before the Second and Ninth Circuits, and is preparing for a Tenth Circuit argument in early 2023. He served as second chair before the U.S. Supreme Court in copyright case Fourth Estate v. Wall-Street.com (prevailing 9-0).

Litigation Practice. John maintains an active trial court practice, focused on litigation strategy and critical motions. John’s post-trial briefs in one recent nine-figure case secured a zero-dollar defense victory for a firm client. In another case, he delivered closing argument following a highly-publicized six-day federal bench trial. John is one of two associates ranked nationally by Chambers USA for plaintiff-side ERISA litigation, one of his subspecialties.

John’s work has helped the firm earn many prominent awards, such as the National Law Journal’s Appellate Hot List (multiple years) and the American Lawyer’s National Boutique of the Year (multiple years).

John began his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Raymond C. Fisher (Ninth Circuit) and the Honorable Paul G. Gardephe (Southern District of New York). He received his J.D. from Yale Law School and A.B. from Harvard University.