Will Stute
Partner
Washington, D.C.
Will Stute is a first chair trial lawyer and business advisor who is nationally recognized for wins in the biggest cases in courtrooms across the United States. Fortune 10 tech companies, one of the world’s largest life sciences companies, a pioneering gig economy company, a transportation industry giant and one of the nation’s largest sports organizations all entrust him with their most important fights. His courtroom successes have earned him the title of 2023 Winning Litigator of the Year by the National Law Journal and American Lawyer Litigator of the Year finalist for 2023. American Lawyer cited his “incredible victories” for the NCAA, describing him as a trial lawyer “Playing to Win.”
In the span of less than 10 months across 2022 and 2023, he won three separate high-profile jury trials for the NCAA – including the first to take on claims the NCAA is responsible for concussions and CTE in college football. This victory was recognized as the Courtroom View Network’s Most Impressive Defense Verdict of 2022, American Lawyer Litigator of the Week and the Daily Journal’s Defense Verdict of the Year.
Will’s versatility, strategic acumen and ability to think on his feet separate him as a trial lawyer. He is highly skilled at developing strategy, telling his client’s story and connecting with juries – and he has done it for clients across the tech, finance and life sciences sectors on claims ranging from mass torts, personal injury and False Claims Act cases to antitrust, securities fraud and RMBS litigation. Will tries cases when others fold, settles cases on the most favorable terms, and earns praise from clients for his confident and steady leadership throughout the battle.
A champion of teamwork and inclusion, Will brings a diverse team of top talent to every engagement. He is active in his community and is proud to represent a civil rights organization pro bono in litigation seeking to end discriminatory housing practices in Minnesota.
Will’s passion for obtaining the best possible results for clients is eclipsed only by his commitment to family and his four sons.
-
- Trial counsel for Zynga in patent ligation brought by gambling technology company IGT, securing a complete defense win
- Lead trial counsel for the NCAA in dozens of concussion/CTE cases across the United States
- Lead trial counsel for the NCAA in Gee v. NCAA, securing defense verdict in first concussion case to reach a full trial in the U.S.
- Lead trial counsel for the NCAA in Finnerty v. NCAA, securing defense verdict in second concussion case to go to trial in the U.S.
- Lead trial counsel for the NCAA in Brenner v. NCAA, securing defense verdict in $150 million personal injury case involving former University of Oregon football player
- Represented one of the world’s largest life sciences companies in the successful resolution of major False Claims Act litigation
- Represented a pioneering gig economy company in litigation and regulatory matters brought by state attorneys general, successfully resolving the matter for the company
- Lead counsel for DHL Holdings in a case against United Airlines, successfully resolving an antitrust and price-fixing class action on the eve of trial
- Represented a leading tech company in high-profile antitrust litigation, playing an instrumental role in securing a preliminary injunction for the client after a bench trial
- Lead counsel for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota in multi-million dollar health care fraud litigation
- Lead trial counsel for Global Linguist Solutions LLC, in a civil Qui Tam action in Maryland alleging False Claims Act violations in connection with intelligence activities in Kuwait during the Iraq War
- Lead trial counsel for a leading biopharmaceutical company in a federal court case in Pennsylvania involving False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statutes
- Member of trial team for Credit Suisse in high-stakes RMBS case brought by the FDIC as receiver for a failed bank in Alabama state court, successfully settling prior to trial
- Represented major institutional investors victimized in several of the largest Ponzi schemes in U.S. history, securing the recovery of tens of millions of dollars for clients
- Represented a major food producer in obtaining early dismissal of a highly publicized class action with industry-wide implications for food manufacturers
