Stephen Henning, Founding Partner of Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB), has been named among the 2026 Legal Visionaries by LA Times Studios, an honor recognizing influential leaders shaping the future of the legal profession. The annual Legal Visionaries feature appeared in the Sunday, May 17th print edition and in the May 2026 Business Magazine, highlighting a select group of attorneys.
The recognition comes alongside the firm's continued rise in the region, with WSHB ranked No. 26 among top law firms in Los Angeles in the same publication.
A prestigious Am Law 125 firm with an international presence spanning forty-three offices, WSHB is known for its depth across high-stakes litigation and complex matters nationwide. At the forefront of that work is Stephen Henning, a nationally recognized litigator whose practice spans complex construction, real estate, business, and employment disputes, as well as professional liability and toxic tort litigation.
Henning regularly represents Fortune 500 companies and prominent business leaders, advising some of the nation's largest residential and commercial public and private owners, homebuilders, developers, investors, contractors, and lenders. His record has established him as a trusted advisor in high-exposure matters, while his forward-looking approach has made him a sought-after voice in emerging legal and industry issues.
"This recognition reflects not only his vision, but the culture of excellence he has built across the firm," said Stewart Reid, Firmwide Managing Partner. "He has an exceptional ability to anticipate where the industry is headed and position both clients and our attorneys to meet those challenges with clarity and confidence."
Henning's professional achievements have been widely recognized. He was named CLM's Professional of the Year for Outside Legal Counsel in 2019 and is the first defense attorney to receive the Jerrold S. Oliver Award for his significant contributions to the construction community. In 2022, he was honored as RISE Mentor of the Year, and in 2023, he received the Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award, reflecting his ability to distill complex legal issues with clarity and precision.
More recently, Henning was named to the Los Angeles Business Journal's Top 100 Lawyers in both 2024 and 2025, and was also recognized as a 2025 Community Impact Award honoree. In 2025, he received the prestigious “Legend of an Era” Award at the West Coast Casualty Seminar for his thought leadership and myriad contributions in the field of construction litigation. Beyond his legal practice, Henning is deeply committed to service. He has held leadership roles in numerous national and local nonprofit organizations.
"To be included among this group of legal visionaries is an honor," said Henning. "The practice of law continues to evolve, and I am proud to be part of a firm that embraces innovation while staying grounded in service to our clients, our communities, and one another."
Wood Smith Henning & Berman: Your Trusted Partner
Experience the power of a proven industry leader in the law. Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) is renowned globally for our exceptional trial results and expertise in handling complex litigation. With our nationwide network of over 500 lawyers across 43 office locations, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive litigation and counsel to both public and private companies. From start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations, we deliver unrivaled legal representation that consistently achieves favorable outcomes for our clients.
At WSHB, our strength lies in our diverse and accomplished team of attorneys. We boast thought leaders and defense specialists in over 41 fields of practice, covering an extensive range of specialties. Founded in 1997, we are proud to be among the top ten law firms in the nation for diversity, female partners, female lawyers, and Hispanic lawyers. This rich tapestry of diversity forms the foundation of our success when presenting cases to juries of our peers, ensuring we understand the unique nuances underlying each claim.
Our expansive geographic footprint allows us to provide effective and efficient representation to clients nationwide, regardless of their location, background, or legal expertise. By prioritizing strategic and cost-effective approaches to litigation, our dedicated attorneys work tirelessly to protect the interests of our clients. We have a track record of success, securing numerous victories such as summary judgments and defense verdicts on behalf of our clients. As a trial firm, we have taken over 2,000 cases to verdict, making us well-equipped to handle even the most complex and high-stakes litigation matters across the country.
