Stephen Fuzesi’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation, frequently involving high-stakes matters, and emphasizes the defense of clients in First Amendment and professional liability litigation. He serves as co-chair of the firm’s First Amendment and Media practice group.
Steve has represented clients in a broad range of cases in federal and state courts across the nation at both the trial and appellate levels, and in arbitration proceedings. He also has defended clients in governmental investigations.
Steve has significant experience representing media companies and journalists in a variety of matters, including lawsuits brought by high-profile plaintiffs. He has defended leading news organizations in defamation lawsuits challenging their reporting in print, online, and on television. In 2022, The National Law Journal recognized Steve as a “Litigation Trailblazer” in connection with his representation of media clients.
Steve’s practice also concentrates on professional liability cases involving accounting firms in litigation and regulatory matters. His representation of national accounting firms has included the defense of litigation arising out of both audit and tax services, including representing a “Big Four” firm in a two-year arbitration trial that resulted in the panel’s dismissal of all claims.
In addition, Steve has represented clients in a number of pro bono matters, including successfully obtaining the vacatur of a client’s attempted murder conviction on appeal.
Steve has been named by Super Lawyers to its Washington, D.C. “Rising Stars” list. He clerked for the Hon. Pierre N. Leval on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and attended Yale Law School. He graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs and was editor-in-chief of The Daily Princetonian. Steve served as an aide in the Office of Management and Budget before law school.
Steve joined Williams & Connolly in 2005 and is a former member of the firm’s Hiring Committee. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of The Daily Princetonian.
Representative Experience
Though all cases vary and none is predictive, Steve’s experience includes:
- Defense of national television news organization in defamation and product disparagement lawsuit seeking more than $1 billion
- Representation of media organizations and journalists in lawsuits brought by public figures over coverage in print, online, and on television
- Defense of public university in First Amendment litigation
- Defense of audit malpractice action and securities litigation stemming from one of the largest corporate financial frauds in American history
- Representation of “Big Four” accounting firm in a three-week arbitration trial involving claims by the bankruptcy trustee for a large insurer
- Representation of clients in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) proceedings
- Defense of national accounting firm against claims brought by insurance receiver