Steptoe Adds Cavazos to NYC Appellate Litigation

For more information, contact Susan Peters, newsPRos, 212-645-4219

(December 11, 2006, New York)—Steptoe & Johnson LLP announces the addition of Sandra Cavazos to its Appellate Litigation Practice Group as special counsel. Sandra will be resident in the firm’s New York City office, effective immediately. Her principal focus will be representation of clients in complex civil and criminal litigation matters. 

"Sandra enhances and expands Steptoe’s ability to meet clients‘ appellate needs,” said Charles Cole, head of the firm’s Appellate Litigation Practice. “She is a real veteran of the appellate process, with the insight gained from years of experience. In addition, like many good appellate lawyers, she is ready to work on the knotty legal issues that arise at the trial level. We expect she will make a significant contribution to our practice on both fronts."

Ms. Cavazos joins Steptoe from the Appeals Bureau of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office where she handled appeals and habeas corpus litigation in state and federal courts as an Assistant District Attorney since 1998. Prior to that, she was an Assistant US Attorney in the Criminal Division of both the Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of California.

From 1993 to 1994, Ms. Cavazos was Special Assistant to the Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice. She served as a clerk for Judge Michael Boudin in the Court of Appeals First Circuit, as well as for Judge William Hoeveler in the Southern District of Florida, where she was hired to work on the Manuel Noriega case.

"I have had longstanding professional relationships with many attorneys at Steptoe,” said Ms. Cavazos. “The firm has an exceptional reputation and its litigation department is top notch. I am looking forward to contributing to the expansion of its already strong appellate practice and to the growth and success of the New York City office."

Steptoe Chairman Roger Warin said, “We expect Sandra to make an immediate and significant contribution to our appellate litigation capabilities.  We are pleased to have her breadth and depth of experience in New York."

Ms. Cavazos was awarded a J.D. by Harvard Law School magna cum laude in 1989. She graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude in 1983.