Libretta Stennes

Partner

• lstennes@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Washington Office

Libretta Stennes is a partner in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP.  Ms. Stennes is a member of the Litigation Department, practicing primarily in the toxic tort defense and insurance coverage areas.  She also has significant experience with corporate consultation and general litigation matters.

Toxic Tort
Ms. Stennes has substantial toxic tort litigation experience, with particular emphasis on expert witness development and strategic case management.  Ms. Stennes is one of the legal community’s experts on defense of claims regarding a highly-publicized chemical known as PFOA or C-8.  She has represented a leading industry client in a medical monitoring class action which resulted in a novel settlement.  Ms. Stennes also has considerable experience counseling clients in various regulatory proceedings at state and federal levels.

Insurance Coverage
Ms. Stennes has extensive experience litigating insurance disputes, as well as advising clients on coverage issues and claims handling practices.  Her insurance coverage experience includes environmental first-party property matters, as well as numerous liability matters in the areas of hazardous products, pharmaceutical, and environmental claims.

Pro Bono
Ms. Stennes has acted as lead class counsel for plaintiffs in a putative class action against the District of Columbia seeking special education services for juvenile inmates.  As part of her clerkship in the DC Superior Court, Ms. Stennes helped launch new programs in the Family Division, including family mediation and juvenile drug court.  She has continued her contribution to the DC Family Court system by teaching pro se litigants the basics of family law, staffing a help center, and handling adoption and divorce cases. 

Select News & Events

• Steptoe Promotes 13 Attorneys in 2006

Publications

• Locked Up, Missing School
  Youths Entangled in the Criminal Justice System Seek Special Education Services
  August 7, 2006

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association