Josh Wesneski

Josh assists clients with legal briefing and argument, case strategy, and appellate litigation. He has served as counsel in a number of high-profile trial and appellate matters. His practice covers a wide swath of subject areas, including administrative law, constitutional law, civil procedure, antitrust, arbitration, and securities. He has presented oral argument in several federal and state appellate courts, as well as in numerous trial-level proceedings.  Josh also maintains a robust pro bono practice and is a member of Weil’s Pro Bono Committee.

Josh has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for his work in administrative and appellate law. In 2025, he was recognized by Lawdragon 500 on its “X – The Next Generation” list. He is the co-author of the U.S. edition of Panoramic – Administrative & Public Law. Josh coordinates Weil’s Supreme Court alerts and its SCOTUS Term in Review.

Key representations include:*

U.S. Supreme Court

• Representing a Rastafari seeking damages for an admitted violation of his religious freedom by state prison officers
• Persuading the Court to overturn the rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program on administrative law grounds
• Obtaining a unanimous victory allowing victims of terrorist attacks to recover punitive damages
• Representing challengers to the constitutionality of the Puerto Rico Financial Oversight Board on Appointments Clause grounds
• Filing numerous amicus curiae briefs on matters concerning administrative law and constitutional rights

Federal and State Courts of Appeals

• Obtaining emergency relief from a California appellate court regarding distribution rights for Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune
• Persuading the Eighth Circuit to reverse a trial court decision rejecting federal officer removal on timeliness grounds
• Securing affirmance from the Second Circuit of dismissal of a securities class action concerning the merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery
• Defending a victory for Apple in its high-profile antitrust trial against Epic Games
• Successfully challenging numerous SEC regulations before the D.C. Circuit
• Achieving a unanimous decision from the Maryland Supreme Court on a significant Fourth Amendment issue
• Twice obtaining reversal in the Ninth Circuit on behalf of a former federal prisoner who was denied his constitutional rights while incarcerated

Trial-Level Proceedings

• Representing a food and beverage manufacturer in several litigations concerning processed foods
• Overseeing legal strategy and briefing in numerous securities lawsuits
• Challenging the constitutionality of the International Trade Commission’s adjudication of private patent disputes
• Coordinating law and motion briefing for several antitrust trials

Prior to joining Weil, Josh worked at another global law firm. He graduated summa cum laude from Cornell Law School, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Cornell Law Review. After law school, Josh served as a law clerk to the Honorable Barrington D. Parker, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and for the Honorable Kenneth M. Karas of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

* includes matters handled prior to joining Weil