Managing Partner: Elizabeth Brannen
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Stris & Maher LLP is a litigation boutique that focuses on must-win trials and landmark appeals. The firm maintains an active practice representing plaintiffs and defendants in courts throughout the country. In 2019 and 2022, The American Lawyer recognized the firm as one of seven finalists for National Boutique of the Year.
Named to The National Law Journal’s Appellate Hot List in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021, the firm’s Supreme Court and Appellate practice is widely regarded as among the nation’s most successful. The firm’s appellate team is led by Peter Stris. An elected fellow of both the American and California Academies of Appellate Lawyers, Mr. Stris has represented parties in dozens of high-stakes and high-profile business appeals. Chambers USA calls him “a tactical genius and a great leveler,” ranking him among top appellate specialists both nationally and in California. The National Law Journal has highlighted his ability “to win even when conventional wisdom held that he barely had a shot.” And Reuters has identified him as one of the most influential advocates before the U.S. Supreme Court, where he has argued ten cases.
The firm is also a trial powerhouse. It regularly litigates bet-the-farm business cases to verdict or judgment before state and federal courts nationwide. Recently, the firm successfully defended against 9-figure Lanham Act claims in a multi-phase jury and bench trial. In recognition, Benchmark Litigation shortlisted Mr. Stris for 2022 Los Angeles Litigator of the Year and The Daily Journal included the result in its list of California’s 20 Top Defense Verdicts of 2021. In another must-win case, the firm successfully defended a treatment facility in license revocation proceedings that culminated in a four-week bench trial. Benchmark Litigation named Partner Dana Berkowitz to its 40 & Under List for the victory.
A certified women-owned business led by Managing Partner Elizabeth Brannen, Stris & Maher is a leader in its support for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal community. Ms. Brannen is a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, an organization of approximately 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners committed to creating a truly diverse U.S. legal profession. She is a Leader at the Front and has made a public pledge to take specific and meaningful action to support diversity.
Updated Aug 2022