Overview
(January 4, 2021, Washington, DC) — Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce a promotions class consisting of 10 lawyers, including three women partners. Elected to the firm’s partnership are Bill Andrichik, Kate Johnson, Stanley Kuo, Eléonore Mullier, Josh Runyan, Mike Scavelli, and Monique Watson. Elected as of counsel is Pete Jeydel. In addition, the firm has elevated two partners from non-equity to equity status.
In congratulating the promoted lawyers, Steptoe Chair Phil West commented: "This class reflects the strength of our firm, our deep and rich talent base, our growing practices, and our good fortune in being able to promote so many fine lawyers. Congratulations to an extraordinary group. We are a better firm because you are here."
New Partners
Bill Andrichik (Chicago) focuses his practice on commercial litigation. He litigates in federal and state courts across the country, handling cases arising from contracts, business incorporation documents, privacy, product liability, mass torts, real estate, and class actions. Andrichik has served as first chair in trials in federal court, arbitrations, and in front of administrative review panels, and has extensive experience handling all aspects of litigation, including pre-filing negotiations, motion practice, fact and expert discovery, depositions, trials, and appeals. Andrichik has been recognized on the Illinois Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" list and the Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" list. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.
Kate Johnson (Chicago) is a patent litigator who handles cases across a variety of technical fields, including pharmaceutical matters, website development, automotive parts, medical devices, chemical processes, and nutritional compositions. Johnson is experienced in many forums and has represented numerous clients in federal district courts, US Patent and Trademark Office proceedings, including inter partes reviews (IPRs), appeals before the Federal Circuit, and International Trade Commission investigations. She routinely handles complex litigation matters including pre-suit counseling and strategy, case management, expert and fact discovery and strategy, witness preparation, dispositive motion practice, oral argument, claim construction, and trial. Johnson, a registered patent attorney with the US Patent and Trademark Office, has been recognized on the Illinois Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" list and the Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" list. Johnson earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Illinois and her B.S. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Stanley Kuo (Washington) focuses his practice on representing global clients in high-stakes patent litigation before federal district courts and the International Trade Commission (ITC). Kuo also has broad experience in trade secrets, IP licensing, antitrust, export controls, and economic sanctions. He has litigated cases concerning a wide variety of products and technologies such as autonomous driving, internet of things, smartphones, smart TVs, robotics, LCDs, LEDs, lithium batteries, air bag, carbon and alloy steel, telecommunications, semiconductors, digital imaging, video compression, audio processing, and radio signal processing. He speaks frequently in Asia on IP issues. Kuo earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Before joining Steptoe, Kuo practiced law in Taiwan and handled a variety of matters ranging from patent litigation to commercial litigation.
Eléonore Mullier (Brussels) focuses her practice on EU regulatory law and litigation. She advises clients who, whether based in the EU or not, come into contact with EU regulations affecting the placing on the EU market of their products. Mullier's knowledge extends to the entire life-cycle of materials, from chemicals legislation (REACH/CLP, biocides, plant protection products, POPs/PIC) to product and waste legislation (CE marking, RoHS/WEEE, medical devices, ecodesign, waste and end-of-waste). This includes extensive experience representing clients in litigation before the European Court of Justice and the ECHA Board of Appeal but also providing advice on regulatory compliance, product defense, contracts and consortia. Mullier earned her master in European law, magna cum laude, from Universiteit Gent and her master in laws, magna cum laude, from Université Catholique de Louvain and Universidad Complutense de Madrid. She sits on the editorial board of the International Chemical Regulatory and Law Review.
Josh Runyan (Washington) advises clients with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of major energy and transportation projects, including pipelines and railroads. He works closely with a variety of federal and state agencies on the regulatory, permitting, and environmental aspects of such projects, as well as litigates disputes concerning new and existing infrastructure. He has been recognized in The Legal 500 US as a Rising Star. Runyan earned his B.A. from the University of Wyoming and his J.D., cum laude, from Southern Methodist University where he was the articles editor for The International Lawyer Journal.
Mike Scavelli (New York) is an experienced trial lawyer who focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, internal/government investigations, and white-collar criminal defense matters. He regularly counsels corporate and individual clients in high-stakes situations. In commercial litigation, Scavelli has represented a range of clients—from corporate executives to technology start-ups to Fortune 500 companies—in securities litigation and business disputes around the country. In white-collar matters, Scavelli has defended both corporations and individuals against federal and state authorities and has extensive experience counseling clients through concurrent criminal, regulatory, and/or civil proceedings. He has been recognized on the Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" list. Scavelli earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Brooklyn Law School where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and served as an articles editor for the Brooklyn Law Review. He received his B.A., cum laude, from Johns Hopkins University.
Monique Watson (Washington) is recognized for her deep knowledge and understanding of energy law, policy, economics, and regulation, with particular focus on oil, refined petroleum products and natural gas pipeline industries. In her two decades of energy experience, including senior legal roles at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), she has managed legal and policy initiatives involving these industries. She counsels and defends clients in section 4 and 5 Natural Gas Act rate cases. She is also experienced in matters related to the certification of interstate natural gas pipelines, LNG terminals, natural gas storage and crude oil and refined product infrastructure development. Watson has been recognized in The Legal 500 US as a Rising Star. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Howard University and her B.A. from the University of Virginia. When not practicing law, Watson volunteers with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
New Of Counsel
Pete Jeydel (Washington) focuses his practice on economic sanctions, and export controls in the commercial, space, defense and nuclear sectors, along with other international regulatory and national security matters. He has advised companies navigating challenging intersections of their international business with US law and policy. Jeydel's background is in the foreign policy field, and, prior to joining Steptoe, he worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as articles editor for the Georgetown Journal of International Law. He received his A.B. from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and attended L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po).
About Steptoe
In more than 100 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.