Benesch Adds Steven Selna as Partner in San Francisco, Continues California Build Out

Benesch has, once again, expanded its San Francisco office with the addition of Steven M. Selna as a Partner. With more than 25 years of litigation experience, Selna is focused on complex commercial litigation, product liability litigation and class actions.

“We are bullish on the West Coast,” said Gregg A. Eisenberg, Benesch’s Firmwide Managing Partner. “After adding Stephanie [Sheridan] and Meegan [Brooks] and their powerhouse retail and e-commerce practice in San Francisco earlier this year, we’re continuing to build out adjacent practices. Steve’s skill set has proven to be a great fit with clients in this area, where the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape demands both experience and judgement. Further, we look forward to leveraging Steve’s longtime commitment to DEI to Benesch’s benefit.”

Selna is focused on complex commercial litigation and class action matters. He has significant experience serving as national counsel on life science product liability matters and mass tort claims, and he has also defended actions brought by state attorneys general, alleging violation of unfair trade practice act statutes and consumer fraud. Additionally, Steve has devoted significant time to the pro bono representation of political asylum applicants in removal proceedings in the U.S.

“Steve and I worked together years ago as part of some mass coordinated products litigation, and I was so impressed with him that I have always wanted to combine forces to work together at some point in our careers.  I’m thrilled that now is the time we can combine our practices at Benesch,” said Stephanie Sheridan, the Partner in Charge of Benesch’s San Francisco office. “Steve is not only one of the most talented litigators and trial lawyers I’ve ever seen, but his experience leading his prior firm’s West Coast practice for years will be invaluable in helping Benesch grow out west, as well.”

In private practice at Selna Partners LLP for the past three years, Selna previously was a partner with two AmLaw 100 firms, including serving on the Executive Committee and as Managing Partner of one of the firm’s San Francisco office, where he practiced for more than 16 years and also co-chaired its national diversity committee.

Sheridan noted that Selna’s addition is part of Benesch’s national plan of growth that is already taking off: “Our team has only just started in San Francisco, and we have already added three associates from top tier firms, a key lateral partner I worked with years ago, and we are thrilled to launch our Summer Associate Program next month.” 

Selna earned his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1987) and his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley (1979).