Stephanie Spies

Stephanie Spies has won landmark victories in numerous high-profile cases across the country and has secured well over $1 Billion in favorable resolutions for her clients. Stephanie represents plaintiffs and defendants through every stage of litigation in complex commercial cases, from complaint drafting to discovery to trial and appeal. She has participated in five trials and arbitrations within six years (with one other case settling on the eve of trial) and has played a leading role in each one, including taking witnesses and drafting trial-related submissions. 

Stephanie has been recognized as a Rising Star by New York Super Lawyers in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 – an honor given to only the top 2.5% of lawyers under the age of 40 in New York (Thomson Reuters).

Some of Stephanie’s most notable matters and wins include:

• BML Properties Ltd. v. China Construction America Inc. et al.: Won a $1.6 billion trial verdict in October 2024 for client BML Properties Ltd. in New York’s Commercial Division on fraud and breach of contract claims arising out of the construction of the Baha Mar resort. At trial, Stephanie examined three critical witnesses, playing a significant role in securing this enormous win. American Lawyer interviewed Stephanie about her work on the case. Read that story here* and more on the matter here. (*Subscription required).
• Bacon v. Nygard: In 2023, Stephanie helped secure what is believed to be the largest individual defamation award in New York state history. Stephanie represented acclaimed New York hedge funder, Louis Bacon, against Canadian fashion magnate, Peter Nygard, in a high-profile multi-year defamation lawsuit.  After obtaining summary judgment against Nygard on liability, Stephanie and her team participated in a damages inquest before Special Referee, Hon. Layn Phillips (Ret.). Stephanie gave the opening statement and presented Louis Bacon and a damages expert on direct examination. The Special Referee awarded Bacon $216,725,149.89 in damages. Read more.
• Leeds v. I. Grace: Stephanie secured a $959,443.20 judgment for Jeffrey and Elizabeth Leeds and the 740 Corporation against the I. Grace Company, Commissioned Private Residences, following a JAMS arbitration where she cross-examined one of I. Grace’s key witnesses. The arbitration panel found for Stephanie’s clients on the claim that I. Grace willfully and intentionally exaggerated the lien it filed against the Leeds’ apartment—a novel claim under New York law.
• Lindsey v. Butler: In 2022, working pro bono,Stephanie first-chaired a jury trial in S.D.N.Y. for plaintiff Anthony Lindsey for excessive force claims under Section 1983.  During trial, Stephanie led jury selection, gave both opening and closing statements, and presented plaintiff’s two witnesses on direct examination.  She also drafted and argued all the motions in limine and drafted the post-trial briefs. The jury rendered a verdict of $67,501 in damages, finding one defendant liable for excessive force and awarding punitive damages against both defendants. On a post-trial motion, the Court vacated the $17,500 punitive damages award against the defendant found not liable but denied all other motions and entered judgment for Plaintiff.
• In re WeWork Litig.: Stephanie previously represented WeWork founder, Adam Neumann, in a breach of contract action against SoftBank after SoftBank withdrew its offer to buy $3 billion in WeWork stock from Neumann. This lawsuit represents one of the largest individual claims to be litigated this century.  The litigation was placed on an expedited schedule in the Delaware Chancery Court. A week before trial, the case settled as reported by media outlets throughout the world. The New York Times’ coverage of the lawsuit can be accessed here and here.
• Hulley Enterprises v. Russian Federation: Stephanie is counsel to former investors in Yukos Oil seeking confirmation of $50 billion in arbitral awards against the Russian Federation.

BACKGROUND

Stephanie joined Susman Godfrey after clerking on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.  She earned her J.D. magna cum laude and Order of the Coif from New York University School of Law and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Northwestern University.

Honors & Distinctions

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