Libretta Stennes

Partner

• lstennes@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Washington Office

Libby Stennes is a partner in Steptoe’s Washington office, where she is a member of the Litigation department.  She practices primarily in the areas of toxic and mass tort litigation representing international chemical, petroleum, and engineering companies. 

For over a decade, Ms. Stennes has successfully defended environmental and product claims in cases alleging harm from perfluorinated compounds, 1,2,3-TCP, benzene, MTBE, solvents, fly ash, and other compounds.  She has extensive class action litigation experience with claims for medical monitoring, personal injury, property damage, and punitive damages.  Ms. Stennes has also counseled clients and defended claims involving allegations of violations of various federal and state environmental statutes, including RCRA, SDWA, and TSCA.

Recent litigation successes include defeat of class certification in medical monitoring and property damage class actions.  She has also obtained dismissals and summary judgments on behalf of multiple clients. 

Ms. Stennes’ insurance coverage experience includes both first and third party property environmental actions, as well as pharmaceutical and hazardous substance claims.  She also advises clients on claims handling practices and coverage issues.

Additional class action cases have included serving as lead counsel in a class action suit filed on behalf of a class of inmates against the District of Columbia, DC Public Schools, and DC Department of Corrections.  The class action sought injunctive relief providing education and related services as called for under IDEA.  After years of litigation, Ms. Stennes negotiated a settlement that resulted in creation of a new school at the DC Jail. 

As an extension of her litigation practice, Ms. Stennes also has considerable experience managing environmental claim dockets and supervising discovery for multiple matters.  She often partners with clients to develop cost-effective discovery plans to address the growing demands of ESI production.
 
As a member of the firm’s hiring committee, Ms. Stennes has managed the summer associate program in Steptoe’s Washington office for a number of years.  She is also a member of the firm’s alternative fee committee.  

Noteworthy Rulings

• Rhodes v. E. I. du Pont de Nemours, 253 F.R.D. 365, 374 (S.D. W.Va. 2008) (denying class certification of medical monitoring and common law claims arising from alleged water contamination).
• Rowe v. E. I. du Pont de Nemours, 2008 WL 5412912 (D.N.J.) (denying class certification of medical monitoring claims arising from alleged water contamination).

Select News & Events

• Risk Assessment Webinar, March 4, 2009