Steptoe Welcomes Back Former Chair

For more information, contact Jamie Moss, newsPRos, 201-493-1027

(October 2, 2008, Washington, DC) – Steptoe & Johnson LLP, a leading international law firm, today announced that its former chair J.A. “Lon” Bouknight, Jr., will re-join the firm in its Washington, DC, office.  Mr. Bouknight will resume his role as head of the firm’s highly-rated Electric Power Group.

Mr. Bouknight was a Steptoe partner from 1994 to mid-2005. He served as the firm’s Chair from 1998 to 2004.

“I am delighted to welcome my colleague and friend  back to the firm,” said Roger Warin, current Chair of Steptoe & Johnson LLP. “Lon is internationally recognized as a unique talent among electric power lawyers and is a tremendous resource for Steptoe’s Electric Power Group.  His  presence, sound judgment and business acumen have made him a leader throughout his career. His deep experience and superior aptitude for the law will be of benefit to all of us and our clients.”

Mr. Bouknight joined Steptoe with the core of its current Electric Power Group from Newman, Bouknight & Edgar, where he was a founding partner. During his time at Steptoe, he led that group in significant representations of many of the major electric power companies across the United States, including Southern California Edison.  In July 2005, he became Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison and one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric utilities.

“I enjoyed my three plus years at Edison International, but I am ready for this next chapter of my life, including a return to my friends and colleagues at Steptoe,” said Mr. Bouknight. “I am pleased that in my absence the firm continued to expand and prosper.  I am looking forward to again being part of this dynamic and growing firm.”

“There is no one who can rival Lon’s acumen and relationships in the electric utility industry,” said David Raskin, head of Steptoe’s Electric Power Group during Lon’s absence from the firm. “Our group and the firm will greatly benefit from his rejoining us after a period of outstanding service as one of our major client’s general counsel.”

According to Mr. Raskin, the electric power industry is entering a period where substantial investments need to be made in the electric system to support a transition to renewable generation and meet load growth.  This will present formidable regulatory challenges for the industry and also likely create pressure for its consolidation and reorganization.  “These are areas in which Lon has unparalleled expertise and experience,” he said. During his time at Edison International, Mr. Bouknight worked with CEOs, general counsels, and investment bankers of the world’s top companies.

Mr. Bouknight has chaired the Antitrust and Electricity Committees of the American Bar Association Section of Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law. He is a member of the Board of Visitors of Duke University School of Law and the North Carolina and the District of Columbia bars. He received his B.A. in history from Wofford College and his J.D. from Duke University School of Law.

About Steptoe & Johnson LLP
With more than 500 attorneys, Steptoe & Johnson LLP provides counsel and representation in a wide range of legal fields.  In more than 60 years of practice, the firm has gained a national and international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions.  The firm has offices in Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Century City, London, and Brussels.