Overview
(March 2, 2017, Washington, DC) — Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce that Joe Caldwell, a seasoned litigator who has handled more than 100 jury trials, has joined the firm as a partner. Mr. Caldwell, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers who joins five other fellows at Steptoe, will further deepen the firm’s bench of criminal and civil litigators. He will also serve as co-chair of Steptoe’s Diversity Committee.
Mr. Caldwell focuses his practice on complex civil litigation and white-collar criminal defense and investigations. He represents clients in federal and state courts and before congressional committees, administrative agencies and arbitration tribunals. His clients have included financial institutions, news organizations, national law firms, entertainment and sports entities, energy and construction companies, other business organizations and an independent federal government agency. In the civil litigation arena, he has handled a wide array of complex business disputes involving breach of contract, securities litigation, legal malpractice, banking regulations, investigations and other matters. In white-collar criminal matters, Mr. Caldwell has defended clients, including corporate CEOs, against allegations of conspiracy, money laundering, federal contract fraud, mail and wire fraud, tax crimes, public corruption, Medicare fraud and obstruction of justice.
Mr. Caldwell’s excellence in the courtroom has been recognized by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America and Washington, DC Super Lawyers. He has also been repeatedly listed on Washingtonian magazine’s biennial Top Lawyers list since 2007.
“Joe is a widely recognized and well-regarded trial lawyer who has been lead trial counsel in scores of cases. For example, he had favorable outcomes in two jury trials in the past nine months,” said Steptoe Chair Phil West. “Over the years, Joe has also served as a law firm leader, guiding the careers of many lawyers who have followed his example. In addition to being a strong asset in our litigation practice, Joe will serve as a mentor to the firm’s younger lawyers developing and honing their trial skills.”
Mr. Caldwell remarked: “Having practiced much of my career in DC, I have long admired Steptoe and am delighted to be joining the firm and its many talented litigators. I am looking forward to teaming with them to fight the fight for clients in the courtroom. I am also looking forward to partnering with Diversity Committee Co-Chair Markham Erickson to build upon and expand Steptoe’s diversity program.”
Earlier in his career, Mr. Caldwell served as legal counsel at the US Supreme Court and as special assistant to Chief Justice Warren E. Burger. He also served as deputy attorney general for the state of New Jersey and as chief of staff and legal counsel to Washington, DC Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly.
For more than 20 years, Mr. Caldwell has held leadership positions with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the National Capital Area as chairman of the board, and more recently with My Brother’s Keeper Alliance as general counsel.
About Steptoe
Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an international law firm widely recognized for vigorous advocacy in complex litigation and arbitration, successful representation of clients before governmental agencies, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has more than 500 lawyers and other professionals in offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, Phoenix and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.