Overview
(October 6, 2021, Brussels and London) — Steptoe & Johnson is pleased to announce the arrival of Simon Tilling as a partner in the firm’s Chemicals and Life Sciences group. Tilling will build upon the robust EU chemicals regulatory capabilities based in the firm’s Brussels office, and will help expand the group’s footprint to the United Kingdom as the UK diverges from the EU regulatory regime post-Brexit.
Tilling, who holds joint honors degrees in chemistry and law, advises clients on UK and EU environmental law, chemicals regulation and product standards, with a wealth of experience covering regulatory compliance and supply chain diligence, investigations, enforcement and criminal defense, regulatory appeals, tribunal hearings, and environmental civil claims (in coordination with the firm’s EU team). He has advised on regulations such as REACH and biocides, the control of chemicals in the environment, and the life-cycle of products and wastes within the circular economy. Tilling has handled a number of "first-of-a-kind" cases, such as acting in the first appeal under the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations in Northern Ireland, the first enforcement undertaking in Wales for pollution, the first special site for land contamination in Scotland, and the first PFAS litigation in England.
Tilling received top-tier rankings in the 2022 edition of The Legal 500 UK and the 2021 Chambers UK, where clients described him as "extremely talented," "commercially sound and pragmatic" and "very effective at resolving cases."
Steptoe Chair Phil West commented: "As the UK has returned to being an independent market following Brexit, clients will be looking for lawyers with deep experience to help navigate and advise them on the new UK regulatory environment. As a UK lawyer with many years of experience in EU chemicals and products regulations, Simon is particularly well-placed to help clients in both the chemicals industry and the environmental world as they engage with UK regulators and institutions, and before the UK courts, tribunals and appeal bodies. He will be a strong addition to the preeminent Chemicals and Life Sciences practice we have in place in the EU and the US."
Brussels managing partner Ruxandra Cana added: "Simon is an extremely talented lawyer who is considered a rising star of the chemicals regulation bar. We are delighted to welcome him to our EU regulatory team, and the further expansion of our ability to assist our clients with business interests in the EU and the UK."
Steptoe is widely recognized as one of the nation’s premier chemicals and life sciences regulatory and litigation defense practices. The team includes more than 30 lawyers, scientists and advisors in the United States, European Union and China. Tilling will be adding to Steptoe’s EU-regulatory capabilities based in Brussels, which has established a strong brand and reputation as a destination shop for advice, approval and litigation work with respect to EU-wide regulatory programs in the chemicals, biocides and pesticides, sustainability, food contact, food safety and life sciences fields.
Tilling remarked: "Steptoe has the leading practice in EU chemicals and products regulation in Brussels, and I have long admired its work. Now that the UK has its own chemicals regime and is setting its own direction, I am excited to join forces to provide clients with unrivalled services across the continent of Europe, and to have an opportunity to work with the firm’s stellar roster of chemicals regulation lawyers in the world’s main regulatory centers."
Tilling served as vice chair and company secretary of the UK Environmental Law Association and is active in the UK’s Chemical Industries Association. He also writes a column for the ENDS Report.
Tilling received joint honors degrees in chemistry and law from the University of Bristol, and earned his diploma in legal practice from the University of the West of England.
About Steptoe
In more than 100 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.