Stephanie Gardner Bortnick’s practice focuses on defending businesses and employers in commercial, business and employment litigation. Stephanie has experience defending clients in a variety of matters, including labor and employment claims, negligence and personal injury claims and contract disputes. She has also represented law firms and attorneys in defense of claims of legal malpractice.

Stephanie handles disputes at all stages, including pre-litigation, discovery, dispositive motions, mediation and trial. She has successfully obtained dismissals, summary judgments and favorable settlements for her clients. She also advises clients on a variety of employment issues, including best practices and the maintenance of employee handbooks.

Stephanie has previously represented railroads in defense of claims brought under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, including claims of injury by passengers. She has also previously handled mass tort litigation involving product liability and negligence claims.

Admissions

• New York
• Virginia
• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• United States District Court, District of Columbia
• United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
• United States District Court, District of Maryland
• United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Memberships

• American Bar Association, Litigation Section Committee

• Co-Author, “Managing Mental Health and Ethics: in the Wake of the COVID-19 Crisis,” American Bar Association Litigation Journal, Summer 2021
• Assisted with the writing/updating of Chapter 147, Media and Publishing, Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts