Overview
(September 2, 2015, Brussels) — Steptoe & Johnson LLP is expanding its Swiss-EU practice with the addition of partner Simon Hirsbrunner in the firm’s Brussels office. Mr. Hirsbrunner, a Swiss national qualified in both Switzerland and Germany, will work closely with partner Jean Russotto in advising clients on European Union (EU) regulatory requirements and advocacy strategy, particularly in relation to Swiss-EU relations and with a focus on financial services, energy, aviation and international tax policy.
Mr. Hirsbrunner brings more than two decades of experience to his work with companies, trade associations and public authorities on issues of European regulatory law, with a particular emphasis on Swiss-EU relations. He has extensive experience with EU state aid and trade matters, including economic sanctions. In addition, he advises on investments in Switzerland and Germany. His work highlights include representing the Swiss government in an action before the General Court and the Court of Justice of the EU against a European Commission decision concerning Zurich’s airport; advising the Swiss administration on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources; and assisting the European Commission in a proceeding before the General Court of the EU concerning the window fittings cartel.
Prior to going into private practice, Mr. Hirsbrunner worked in the European Commission as a national expert. He previously served at the Swiss Federal Office of External Economic Affairs, at the European Free Trade Association, and as an officer in the European law unit of the Swiss Federal Office of Justice.
“Simon is highly respected by both clients and high-level government officials in Switzerland, Germany, and the Brussels EU community. Thanks to his experience, he is able to provide the required hands-on practical advice to help further the interests of our clients,” said Phil West, chair of Steptoe. “Simon has a fine grasp of Swiss-EU relations and we are thrilled to have him join Jean Russotto in leading our Swiss-EU practice.”
Steptoe’s Brussels office has a top-tier EU regulatory and litigation practice focused on: antitrust and competition; environment, chemical regulation, and life sciences; financial services and (re)insurance, and tax; and trade. Among others, it is well-known for advising Swiss companies on a range of EU regulatory matters.
Mr. Hirsbrunner commented: “Jean is highly regarded for his knowledge of Swiss-EU dossiers, his diplomatic finesse and high-level contacts, and the legal analysis and policy support he provides to clients. I am looking forward to joining him at Steptoe, to helping develop this practice further, and to offering Swiss business the outstanding service they have come to expect from Steptoe.”
Mr. Hirsbrunner received his B.A. in law with honors from the University of Geneva, his LL.M in European legal studies from the University of Exeter, and his M.A. in European administrative studies from the College of Europe in Bruges. He is regularly commended by Chambers Global as a “foreign expert” for Switzerland in the area of competition/European law.
Mr. Hirsbrunner is fluent in German, English and French, and also speaks Italian.
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.