Stephanie Sheridan is one of the nation’s most prominent retail and e-commerce attorneys. She is Ballard Spahr’s San Francisco Office Managing Partner and leader of the firm’s Retail & E-Commerce Industry Team. She was among the earliest lawyers to build a retail-focused practice aimed at providing a “one-stop shop” for retailers throughout the industry. Stephanie has represented many of retail’s most iconic brands, ranging from luxury houses, to department stores, and emerging online startups, as well as hotels and restaurants.
Stephanie has defended hundreds of consumer class actions brought under an array of consumer statutes, involving allegations of deceptive pricing, false advertising, federal and state privacy laws (CIPA, CEMA, VPPA, Song Beverly, FACTA), “Made in the USA” claims, and automatic renewal laws, gift card law violations, call-recording law claims, ADA website and Braille access cases, and violations of California’s Proposition 65. Many of her cases have involved nuanced technological issues, including data cooperatives, session replay, chatbots, and social media pixel technology.
Services
Representative Experience
Representative Matters
- Prevailed as lead counsel at trial on behalf of national retailer in case brought by the government, seeking over $350 million in penalties over alleged false advertising and deceptive pricing claims
- Represented retailers over past decade in nearly 100 class actions nationally in deceptive pricing litigation, resulting in most favorable rulings in trial, appellate, and state supreme courts on behalf of the retail industry
- Represented retailers in hundreds of matters alleging violations of the federal Wiretap Act and/or California’s Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) based on online tracking communications
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Stephanie served for over a decade on the national Board of Directors of Legal Momentum, the first and oldest legal advocacy organization for the rights of women and girls. With a mission to ensure economic and personal security for women and girls by advancing equity in education, the workplace, and the courts, Legal Momentum’s legal victories have shaped gender justice for over 50 years. Stephanie has been involved in pro bono matters across the country, including amicus support for the recording artist Kesha’s case, arguing she should be protected by New York’s updated anti-SLAPP statutes, after she was sued for defamation by her former music producer following her sexual abuse revelations. Stephanie has also been an advocate overseeing pro bono cases supporting women’s reproductive rights.
Professional Activities
California Retailers Association, Member, Board of Directors, and Executive Committee Member
Recognition & Accomplishments
Daily Journal, “Top Leading Commercial Litigators,” 2025
The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2024
San Francisco Business Times, “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business,” 2024
Speaking Engagements
Presenter, “Not So Smooth Sale-ing,” California Retail Law Summit, October 28, 2025
Presenter, “Retail Hot Topics,” California Retail Law Summit, October 14, 2025
Presenter, “The Worst of US: Class Action Litigation in America,” Luxury Law Summit Milan, October 8, 2025
Board Memberships & Community Service
Board of Directors, California Retailers Association
Board of Directors, Legal Momentum – The Women's Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Board of Governors, University of San Francisco Law School
Publications
Co-author, “Wash. Email Subject Line Ruling Puts Retailers on the Hook,” Law360, November 13, 2025
Co-author, “Hidden Fees, Hidden Danger: Why You Shouldn’t Add a ‘Tariff Fee’ to Offset New Costs,” San Francisco Business Times, June 16, 2025
Co-author, “Examining the Arbitration Clause Landscape Amid Risks,” Law360, March 25, 2024
Credentials
Education
University of San Francisco School of Law (J.D.
Editor-in-Chief, University of San Francisco Law Review
San Diego State University (B.A., magna cum laude)
Admissions
California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit