Class Action Litigation Team Joins Ballard Spahr, Firm Opens San Francisco Office

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Ballard Spahr has opened an office in San Francisco—its 19th location—with the addition of a four-member litigation team led by Partners Stephanie A. Sheridan and Meegan Brooks.

The group—which joins from Benesch’s San Francisco office—is the country’s leading team for retail consumer class action defense, and a trusted resource for dozens of the country’s largest retail brands. The team members have successfully defended hundreds of consumer class actions across California and nationwide—including claims of false advertising, deceptive pricing lawsuits, and statutory privacy violations (CIPA, VPPA, FACTA, Song-Beverly)—with significant wins at the California Court of Appeal, New Jersey Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit, and more. They also maintain a robust advice and counsel practice, guiding clients through compliance with the patchwork of federal and state laws pertaining to marketing, advertising, pricing, privacy, and environmental regulations, as well as providing overall litigation-avoidance strategies. They are bringing to the firm more than 100 pending matters, including numerous appeals on key issues impacting the retail industry.

“The addition of Stephanie, Meegan, and their impressive team is a strategic complement to our national litigation capability,” Ballard Spahr Chair Peter Michaud said. “Their arrival will benefit clients on the West Coast and nationally, enabling us to provide counsel in new areas, expand key capabilities, and continue Ballard’s western expansion, particularly in California, where our already-strong presence is growing. It’s an exciting development for the firm.”

The team includes:

• Partner Stephanie A. Sheridan, San Francisco: Stephanie began the country’s first full-service retail industry practice group 20 years ago, with the goal of creating a one-stop shop for retailers. Since then, she has defended the full spectrum of the retail and e-commerce industry, from luxury brands to iconic department stores and fledgling online startups that emerged as IPO success stories. Her practice encompasses traditional hospitality businesses as well, such as hotels, cruise lines, and restaurants. Stephanie is on the Board of the California Retailers Association and has been selected as a Law360 MVP in retail for four consecutive years. Having spent the first part of her career as a product liability trial lawyer, she is accomplished in the courtroom, which she has brought to this practice, having won a significant trial for a retailer in 2022 brought by the State of California, which was seeking over $300 million in penalties. Stephanie will serve as Ballard Spahr’s San Francisco Office Managing Partner and leader of its Retail & E-Commerce Industry Team.
• Partner Meegan Brooks, San Francisco: One of the first retail lawyers to obtain CIPP/US certification, Meegan has defended well over 100 class actions involving digital marketing, e-commerce, and data privacy. Last year, Law360 selected Meegan as one of the top three class action attorneys under age 40 in the country, and the Daily Journal chose her as a Top 40 Under 40 California lawyer.
• Partner Christopher E. Stretch, San Francisco: Chris is a complex commercial litigator who has advised and represented clients throughout the world at the trial and appellate level. His experience includes unfair trade practices, false advertising, trade secrets, and intellectual property disputes.
• Partner Whitney R. Miner, San Francisco: Whitney is a litigator who advises on commercial, consumer protection, and intellectual property disputes, with an emphasis on defending retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers in consumer-facing disputes.

The Bay Area is a dynamic business environment and home to numerous Ballard Spahr clients requiring expanded services in intellectual property, privacy and data security, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital transactions, and Fintech regulation.

The team joins a litigation department of nearly 350 attorneys who represent clients across the country in civil, criminal, and administrative matters. The firm has an outstanding track record of success in state and federal trial courts, appellate courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration forums. The BTI Consulting Group calls Ballard Spahr an “intimidating opponent” and one of “the most feared law firms in litigation.”

The opening of a San Francisco office comes one year after Ballard Spahr’s combination with Lane Powell, which added 150 attorneys, as well as new offices in Anchorage, Seattle, and Portland. San Francisco is the firm’s second office in California. Lawyers in its Los Angeles office advise clients in litigation, media and entertainment, real estate finance, and financial services.

“Ballard’s litigation team is broad, national, and growing. It has depth of knowledge and standout trial experience,” Stephanie said. “Our clients will appreciate our new colleagues’ skill, agility, and pragmatic approach that anticipates client needs and focuses on successful outcomes. We’re thrilled to be a part of this team.”