Overview
(May 5, 2015, Washington, DC) — The National Law Journal has named Steptoe partner Susan Esserman to its list of “Outstanding Women Lawyers.” The list recognizes what the editors describe as “75 of the nation’s most accomplished female attorneys in the legal profession today, representing excellence in private practice, corporate counsel work, public interest law, legal education and the judiciary.”
In a profile published May 4, the editors touch on Ms. Esserman’s many career highlights, including her service as deputy US trade representative, where she negotiated a landmark agreement that opened trade with India. At Steptoe, where she chairs the firm’s International Trade and Investment practice, she provides legal and strategic advice to clients on expanding access to global markets and represents clients in international trade litigation and dispute resolution matters. A significant focus of Ms. Esserman’s practice involves US-India and US-China matters. She is also very involved in firm management, and co-founded Steptoe’s Women’s Forum. Ms. Esserman is deeply involved in representing victims of human trafficking and leads the firm’s efforts in this area.
Ms. Esserman has been active on a number of nonprofit boards supporting women, international development, and the arts. She currently serves on the executive committee and board of directors of the US-India Business Council and on the board of the International Association for Women Judges.
In selecting women for the “Outstanding Women Lawyers” list, the editors evaluated hundreds of nominations submitted from around the country by law firms, corporations, nonprofit organizations and law schools. Factors considered in the selection process included: the development of successful practices, especially new areas of law or practices typically dominated by men; attainment of professional leadership roles; performance in significant cases, including those that resulted in key, often precedent-setting rulings, victories at trial, and significant settlements; influence and stature in the public sector, including high-level government work; representation of the underserved or indigent; and demonstrated efforts to improve diversity in the profession.
Read the full profile of Ms. Esserman at The National Law Journal (subscription required).
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, Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, Phoenix and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
