Steptoe & Johnson LLP

History and Founding

Steptoe LLP traces its origins to 1913 when Philip P. Steptoe and Louis A. Johnson established a law partnership in Clarksburg, West Virginia. The firm quickly became involved in energy, natural resources, banking, and public utility regulation. As its practice expanded, it opened a Washington, D.C. office in the 1940s, which became the center of its federal government engagement. In the 1980s, the firm split into two independent entities: the D.C. office evolved into Steptoe & Johnson Chartered (later renamed Steptoe LLP), while the West Virginia partnership retained the original name as Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. Since then, Steptoe LLP has grown through strategic expansion, adding offices in Beijing, Brussels, London, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco.

Practice Areas and Expertise

Steptoe LLP’s service offerings span a wide range of legal disciplines. Its litigation practice handles complex commercial disputes, government contracts, securities litigation, and class actions. The regulatory practice is particularly strong in international trade (including sanctions and export controls), white-collar defense, environmental law, energy regulation, and healthcare compliance. The firm also maintains notable practices in intellectual property litigation, antitrust, and data privacy/cybersecurity. In recent years, Steptoe LLP has invested in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence law, where it provides advocacy before legislative and regulatory bodies, and e-discovery and litigation support, offering tailored technology solutions for large-scale discovery.

Market Position and Clients

Steptoe LLP is consistently recognized in legal directories for its work in international trade, white-collar crime, and regulatory matters. Its client base includes Fortune 500 companies, government entities, and trade associations. The firm’s lawyers are active in pro bono work and community service, reflecting a culture that values public service—a legacy of founder Louis A. Johnson, who served as U.S. Secretary of Defense under President Harry Truman. Financially, Steptoe LLP is a profitable, well-capitalized partnership with revenues estimated in the hundreds of millions, though exact figures are not publicly disclosed due to its private partnership structure.

Leadership and Culture

The firm operates under a partnership structure with a managing partner or chair. While the exact current leadership is not publicly listed in a single CEO role, the firm emphasizes a collaborative, non-hierarchical approach where clients are served by the entire firm rather than individual attorneys. The firm’s culture is marked by integrity, civility, and a commitment to client service, as noted in its official materials.