New York Office

WASHINGTON, DC, January 11, 2005  — Steptoe & Johnson LLP today announced the opening of a New York office in Manhattan and that local attorneys Evan Barr and John Lovi have joined the firm as partners there.

The firm has already established a strong presence in  New York  as a result of  representations in high-profile white-collar criminal defense cases, insurance, and commercial litigation engagements.  Steptoe’s national white-collar practice, headed by Reid Weingarten, is frequently drawn to  New York  in high-stakes financial fraud and white-collar prosecutions. The  New York office, located at  750 Seventh Avenue , will permit Weingarten to be located in  New York  on a part-time basis as he and partner Mark Hulkower, a former Assistant US Attorney, develop local strength and capabilities in this growing practice.  Their representations include the successful defense of former Teamsters President Ron Carey, recently acquitted former general counsel of Tyco International Mark Belnick, and World Com co-founder Bernie Ebbers, whose fraud and conspiracy trial is set to begin this month.

Steptoe’s successes in  New York  go beyond the white-collar practice. For three years,  Steptoe litigators Howard Stahl and Steve Davidson have successfully represented Motorola in federal trial and appellate courts in  New York  in a suit that resulted in a $2 billion judgment against the Uzan family, the principal owners of Telsim, one of  Turkey ’s largest cell phone companies. In addition, Steptoe’s representation of insurance and financial services clients in  New York  goes back more than a decade.  

“This is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor is it driven by any single event; rather it is a decision that is well-aligned with our clients’ needs, the firm’s strategic growth plan, and our core strengths in litigation, federal regulation, and international business” says Steptoe managing partner Roger Warin, who noted that the firm has been evaluating an expansion into New York City for some time.  ”Over the months and years ahead, we plan to add substantially to our  New York  base,” added Mr. Warin.

John Lovi’s  practice focuses on securities, derivatives, and broker-dealer litigation. He has been involved in high-profile securities cases, including the  Orange   County  bankruptcy and recent international disputes involving failed derivative swap transactions in  Korea . In joining Steptoe from McDermott Will and Emery, Lovi noted “I have the highest regard for McDermott Will and my former colleagues at the firm.  Steptoe’s excellent litigation, international, and financial regulatory practices presented a great opportunity for me to continue to build my practice and provide top-notch service to clients in the  United States  and abroad.”

Earlier this month, Lovi was joined by Evan Barr, former Assistant US Attorney and Chief of the Major Crimes Unit of the US Attorney’s office.  Barr has supervised 25 prosecutors in the financial crimes unit in the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York and was an associate at Steptoe prior to his government service.  Barr commented, “I am excited to be re-joining Steptoe, which has established itself as one of the premier litigation and white-collar defense firms in the country.”

Barr and Lovi join Steptoe litigation and bankruptcy partner Greg Yates, who relocated to  New York  in late 2004.   

Steptoe’s initial focus in  New York  will be white-collar defense and criminal investigations, insurance, mass tort, bankruptcy, and commercial litigation.  The  New York  office will also call on numerous disciplines in Steptoe’s other offices to fulfill client needs. 

For more information, contact Steptoe & Johnson LLP Chairman Roger Warin.