Jonathan C. Drimmer

Partner

• jdrimmer@steptoe.com
• vCard
• Washington Office

Jonathan C. Drimmer is a partner in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP. Mr. Drimmer’s practice focuses on the extraterritorial application of US laws, assisting clients in developing preventative strategies, navigating discrete questions and problems, and defending them in litigation.  A recognized authority on the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA), he advises and represents clients in matters related to the ATCA, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, human rights, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, financial reporting and securities laws, cross-border US government enforcement efforts, business and personal tort liability, money laundering and other areas.

Over the course of his career he has first-chaired multiple high profile trials and argued multiple appeals, litigating in state, federal and administrative courts, and participating in appeals in nearly every circuit and the Supreme Court.  He also has overseen many investigations that have taken place across the globe, and helped develop media and strategic communication approaches.  His cases have spanned a spectrum of industries and issues, including securities fraud, health care fraud, corruption, professional malpractice, employment and labor, RICO violations, deceptive trade practices, tax strategies, and banking and investments. 

Before joining Steptoe, Mr. Drimmer served as Deputy Director for the Office of Special Investigations of the Criminal Division for the US Department of Justice, where he investigated and prosecuted cases involving international war crimes.  Mr. Drimmer was also a Bristow Fellow for the Office of the US Solicitor General and practiced at a large Washington, DC law firm.

Mr. Drimmer is an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, where he has taught courses that have covered the ATCA, international war crimes, the Patriot Act, looted artworks, terrorism-related crimes, the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act, military tribunals, and irregular rendition.  He is also a Lexis/Nexis Contributing Expert on international legal issues, and frequent media commentator on the ATCA and war crimes-related issues.

Noteworthy

• Charles Fahy Distinguished Adjunct Professor Award, Georgetown Law School, 2009-2010 

Select News & Events

• "Project Plan for FCPA Internal Investigations: A Complete Guide on How to Set up, Manage and Conduct Internal Investigations into Bribery Allegations," 24th National Conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, November 15, 2010
• "Making the Business Case for Human Rights," 3rd Annual Conference on International Employment Law, July 8, 2010
• Jonathan Drimmer Authors Wall Street Journal Op-Ed
• Steptoe Partner to Discuss "Navigating International Waters" at Drexel University, May 18, 2010
• Corporate Social Accountability Webinar on Forced Labor, April 27, 2010, (A Steptoe-Sponsored Event)
• "Human Rights and the Extractive Industries: Litigation Trends and Compliance Solutions" at AIPN Spring Conference 2010 in Texas, April 22, 2010
• Human Rights and Environmental Disputes at the Dispute Resolution in the International Oil & Gas Business Conference, April 19, 2010
• “The Explosion of FCPA-Related Civil Litigation: Causes of Action and Standard of Proof” at the 22nd National Forum on Foreign Corrupt Practice Act in Washington, DC
• N.Y. Jury May Decide Liability of Shell in Nigerian Executions
• “At Home and Abroad”, Corporate Counsel
• Steptoe's Drimmer Honored By US Dept Of Justice
• Steptoe FCPA Alert Published by Competition Law360

Selected Publications

• Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Legislation Requires Extractive Industry Participants to Disclose Payments to Governments
  July 21, 2010
• New Corporate Social Responsibility Mandate Related to Conflict Materials in the New Financial Reform Bill Could Affect Many Companies
  July 20, 2010
• Talisman Energy and the Alien Tort Statute: The Continuing Threat of Secondary Liability
  July 2010, LexisNexis® Emerging Issues Analysis
• International Law Advisory - Flurry of FCPA Cases Closes Out 2009; Enforcement Continues Apace in Early 2010
  March 16, 2010
• Is Second Circuit Ruling a "Talisman" Against Alien Tort Statute Suits?
  February 12, 2010, Washington Legal Foundation's Legal Backgrounder
• Emerging Risk
  February 9, 2010, Private Equity Manager Monthly
• New Costs of Doing Business Abroad
  Posted with the permission of Daily Journal Corp. (2009).
  December 3, 2009, Los Angeles Daily Journal
• Private Investor Frederic Bourke Sentenced to Prison and $1 Million Fine
  November 16, 2009, International Law Advisory

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